Thermo-hydro-mechanical analysis of CO2 injection into deep aquifers

One of the biggest challenges for humanity is global warming and consequently, climate changes. Even though there has been increasing public awareness and investments from numerous countries concerning renewable energies, fossil fuels are and will continue to be in the near future, the main source of energy. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is believed to be a serious measure to mitigate CO2 concentration. CCS briefly consists of capturing CO2 from the atmosphere or stationary emission sources and transporting and storing it via mineral carbonation, in oceans or geological media. The latter is referred to as carbon capture and geological storage (CCGS) and is considered to be the most promising of all solutions. Generally it consists of a storage (e.g. depleted oil reservoirs and deep saline aquifers) and sealing (commonly termed caprock in the oil industry) formations. The present study concerns the injection of CO2 into deep aquifers and regardless injection conditions, temperature gradients between carbon dioxide and the storage formation are likely to occur. Should the CO2 temperature be lower than the storage formation, a contractive behaviour of the reservoir and caprock is expected. The latter can result in the opening of new paths or re-opening of fractures, favouring leakage and compromising the CCGS project. During CO2 injection, coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical phenomena occur, which due to their complexity, hamper the assessment of each relative influence. For this purpose, several analyses were carried out in order to evaluate their influences but focusing on the thermal contractive behaviour. It was finally concluded that depending on mechanical and thermal properties of the pair aquifer-seal, the sealing caprock can undergo significant decreases in effective stress.

Hygrothermal behaviour of earthen plasters for sustainable housing construction

A ready-mixed and several laboratory formulated mortars were produced and tested in fresh state and after hardening, simulating a masonry plaster for indoor application. All the mortars used a clayish earth from the same region and different compositions of aggregates, eventually including fibres and a phase change material. All the formulated mortars were composed by 1:3 volumetric proportions of earth and aggregate. Tests were developed for consistency, fresh bulk density, thermal conductivity, capillary absorption and drying, water vapour permeability and sorption-desorption. The use of PCM changed drastically the workability of the mortars and increased their capillary absorption. The use of fibres and variations on particle size distribution of the mixtures of sand that were used had no significant influence on tested properties. But particularly the good workability of these mortars and the high capacity of sorption and desorption was highlighted. With this capacity plasters made with these mortars are able to adsorb water vapour from indoor atmosphere when high levels of relative humidity exist and release water vapour when the indoor atmosphere became too dry. This fact makes them able to contribute passively for a healthier indoor environment. The technical, ecological and environmental advantages of the application of plasters with this type of mortars are emphasized, with the aim of contributing for an increased use for new or existent housing.

Analysis and visualization of energy use for university campus

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is one of the big global challenges for the next decades due to its severe impact on the atmosphere that leads to a change in the climate and other environmental factors. One of the main sources of greenhouse gas is energy consumption, therefore a number of initiatives and calls for awareness and sustainability in energy use are issued among different types of institutional and organizations. The European Council adopted in 2007 energy and climate change objectives for 20% improvement until 2020. All European countries are required to use energy with more efficiency. Several steps could be conducted for energy reduction: understanding the buildings behavior through time, revealing the factors that influence the consumption, applying the right measurement for reduction and sustainability, visualizing the hidden connection between our daily habits impacts on the natural world and promoting to more sustainable life. Researchers have suggested that feedback visualization can effectively encourage conservation with energy reduction rate of 18%. Furthermore, researchers have contributed to the identification process of a set of factors which are very likely to influence consumption. Such as occupancy level, occupants behavior, environmental conditions, building thermal envelope, climate zones, etc. Nowadays, the amount of energy consumption at the university campuses are huge and it needs great effort to meet the reduction requested by European Council as well as the cost reduction. Thus, the present study was performed on the university buildings as a use case to: a. Investigate the most dynamic influence factors on energy consumption in campus; b. Implement prediction model for electricity consumption using different techniques, such as the traditional regression way and the alternative machine learning techniques; and c. Assist energy management by providing a real time energy feedback and visualization in campus for more awareness and better decision making. This methodology is implemented to the use case of University Jaume I (UJI), located in Castellon, Spain.

Sistemas prisionais europeus

Ao longo dos últimos anos a reforma dos sistemas prisionais e a eficácia da reinserção social têm vindo a integrar as agendas políticas dos governos dos países europeus. Esta reforma deriva de vários problemas e carências com que se debatem os diversos sistemas prisionais, nomeadamente a sobrelotação, o ambiente propício à violência, o consumo de drogas, a inactividade do recluso e o elevado índice de reincidência criminal. Porém, qualquer reforma que se venha a delinear compreende matérias muito complexas que vão desde os direitos humanos aos recursos humanos e financeiros, imperativos legais, bem como a conciliação entre a punição e a ressocialização. Estas matérias não dependem apenas da vontade política, mas igualmente da sociedade, a qual ainda ergue barreiras à reinserção, tratando o ex-recluso como um excluído da sociedade. Neste sentido, os estudos universitários constituem um elemento chave na procura de soluções para esta problemática, na medida em que se servem das várias áreas do saber para de alguma forma contribuir com possíveis soluções, tendo em vista a melhoria de todo o sistema prisional e a eficácia da reinserção social. Esta dissertação tem assim como objectivo apresentar os principais modelos de sistemas prisionais adoptados em países europeus e efectuar uma comparação entre estes. Pretende-se retirar os aspectos mais relevantes de cada sistema e que têm contribuído para a melhoria das condições dos reclusos e do aumento da reinserção destes na sociedade, bem como na diminuição da taxa de reincidência criminal.

Historical reconstructions of raw materials based on a blue smalt coating applied to a seventeenth-century altarpiece

Based on samples cross-sections from the Main Altarpiece of the Coimbra Old Cathedral, where a blue coating performed in 1685 is observed (that was partly covered with a Prussian blue-containing overpaint), the raw materials present in this coating were reproduced and studied. Blue areas were painted with smalt in oil, according to the contract signed by Manoel da Costa Pereira in 1684 and the analysis by Le Gac in 2009. Based on these, three batches of cobalt-based glasses (S1, S2 and S3) were heated and melted in alumina crucibles in the kiln. S1 contained 6.03 % of cobalt oxide, S2 contained 2.10 %, with the addition of 1.49 % of magnesium oxide, and S3 contained 6.82 % of cobalt oxide, with the addition of 4.63% of antimony trioxide. These batches were ground mechanically with water and manually with different vehicles stated in recipes. The results were studied by means of OM, SEM-EDS, X-Ray CT, Colorimetry and Vickers HT. Different binders were also produced and analyzed by means of μ-FTIR, in order to perform their characterization and obtain Standard Spectra. Since anhydrite was identified in the ground layers, gypsum from Óbidos was also characterized by XRD. The main goal of this thesis was to study all the raw materials present in the 1685-blue coating, in order to allow the historically accurate reconstruction of the layers build-up in the next future.

Sol-gel entrapped biosystems: enzyme(s) and whole cells

In this work two different procedures to utilize the sol-gel technology were applied to immobilize/encapsulate enzymes and living cells. CO2 has reached levels in the atmosphere that make it a pollutant. New methods to utilize this gas to obtain products of added value can be very important, both from an environmentally point of view and from an economic standpoint. The first goal of this work was to study the first reaction of a sequential, three-step, enzymatic process that carries out the conversion of CO2 to methanol. Of the three oxidoreductases involved, our focus was on formate dehydrogenase (FateDH) that converts CO2 to formate. This reaction requires the presence of the cofactor β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in reduced form (NADH). The cofactor is expensive and unstable. Our experiments were directed towards generating NADH from its oxidized form (NAD+), using glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). The formation of NADH from NAD+ in aqueous medium was studied with both free and sol-gel entrapped GDH. This reaction was then followed by the conversion of CO2 to formate, catalysed by free or sol-gel entrapped FateDH. The quantification of NADH/NAD+ was made using UV/Vis spectroscopy. Our results showed that it was possible to couple the GDH-catalyzed generation of the cofactor NADH with the FateDH-catalyzed conversion of CO2, as confirmed by the detection of formate in the medium, using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The immobilization of living cells can be advantageous from the standpoint of ease of recovery, reutilization and physical separation from the medium. Also dead cells may not always exhibit enzymatic activities found with living cells. In this work cell encapsulation was performed using Escherichia coli bacteria. To reduce toxicity for living organisms, the sol-gel method was different than for enzymes, and involved the use of aqueous-based precursors. Initial encapsulation experiments and viability tests were carried out with E. coli K12. Our results showed that sol-gel entrapment of the cells was achieved, and that cell viability could be increased with additives, namely betaine that led to greater viability improvement and was selected for further studies. For an approach to “in-cell” Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments, the expression of the protein ctCBM11 was performed in E. coli BL21. It was possible to obtain an NMR signal from the entrapped cells, a considerable proportion of which remained alive after the NMR experiments. However, it was not possible to obtain a distinctive NMR signal from the target protein to distinguish it from the other proteins in the cell.

Observations of air composition in Brazil between the Equator and 20°s during the dry season.

Field measurement programs in Brazil during the dry season months of August and September in 1979 and 1980 have demonstrated the great importance of the continental tropics in global air chemistry. Especially in the mixed layer, the air composition over land is much different from that over the ocean and the land areas are clearly longe scale sources of many inportant trace gases. During the dry season much biomass, burning takes place especially in the cerrado regions leading to substantial emission of air pollutants, such as CO, NOx, N2O, CH4 and other hydrocarbons. Ozone concentrations are alsoenhanced due to photochemical reactions. Biogenic organic emissions from tropical forests play likewise an important role in the photochemistry of the atmosphere. Carbon monoxide was found to be present in high concentrations in the boundary layer of the tropical forest, but ozone concentrations were much lower than in the cerrado.

The impact of in-store activations (communication) in the consumer's emotions

Consumer behavior: Sport Zone. The analysis of "The impact of in-store activations (communication) in the consumer's emotions" Several studies have been conducted on the consumer behavior. This study aims to analyze and understand which factors are important to consumers’ emotions when the purchase decision occurs, the brand awareness, brand loyalty and the campaigns/activations’ impact in the above factors. Two research surveys were conducted to realize this study, the first online and the other was an interview to the Agency Up Partner who conceived and put into practice this Fitness campaign. First of all, was the consumer’s survey, a survey with 100 answers, to understand which factors are taken into account when a campaign in-store is held, in which the atmosphere is mainly used to arouse consumer’s desire to purchase, and also emotions. Second, the interview with the agency was realized to find out on what they were based on when they delineate it, and if the raise of emotions was taken into account in the origin of it. Concluding, emotions have a significant impact on formation of consumer in-store behavior, satisfaction and loyalty. As we could assay through of how this Fitness campaign was carried out as well as the optimal feedback received by consumers, improved attention over in-store marketing activity strongly influences consumer behavior at the point of purchase. “Sport Zone: A new store concept where the love for sports is combined with functionality”

Role of Intersectoral Collaboration in Mental Health Policy Formulation And Service Delivery in Saint Lucia

RESUMO: Santa Lúcia pequena ilha de país em desenvolvimento com recursos limitados e é confrontada com uma série de desafios socioeconômicos que exigem soluções criativas e inovadoras. É comprovado que a combinação de recursos entre setores para estabelecer os determinantes social, econômico e ambiental da saúde são uma estratégia útil para melhorar a saúde da população, principalmente a sua saúde mental. Este estudo, o primeiro do seu tipo em Santa Lúcia, procurou examinar até que ponto a disponibilidade de uma política nacional de saúde mental levou a ação intersetorial para o fornecimento de serviços e promoção da saúde mental. Além disso, o estudo examinou o nível de colaboração intersetorial que existe entre as agências que prestam cuidados diretos e serviços de suporte para pessoas com doenças mentais e problemas sérios de saúde mental. O estudo também teve como objetivo identificar os fatores que promovem ou dificultam a colaboração intersectorial e gerar recomendações que possam ser aplicadas para países muito pequenos e com perfis socioeconômicos semelhantes. Os dados gerados a partir de três (3) fontes foram sintetizados para formar uma visão ampla das questões. Uma avaliação da política de saúde mental de 2007, uma avaliação que identifica até que ponto a ação intersetorial atualmente deixa a prestação de serviços de saúde mental e a administração de entrevistas semiestruturadas nas mãos de gestores do programa de diferentes agências em todos os setores. O estudo concluiu que, apesar da disponibilidade de uma política de saúde mental, que articula clara e explicitamente a colaboração intersetorial como área prioritária para ação, quase não existe no sistema de fornecimento atual do serviço. Os provedores de serviços em todos os setores reconhecem que há os benefícios da colaboração intersectorial e com entraves significativos em relação à colaboração intersetorial, que por sua vez, impede uma abordagem nacional para o planejamento e o fornecimento do serviço. A colaboração intersetorial não será possível se os próprios setores dependerem da abordagem direta do setor da saúde ou se a atmosfera geral for ofuscada pela estigmatização das doenças mentais.------------------------------------------------------------------------ABSTRACT: Saint Lucia a small island developing country with limited resources, is faced with a number of socio-economic challenges which require creative and innovative solutions to address. Combining resources across sectors to address the social, economic and environmental determinants of health has proven to be a useful strategy for improving population health in particular mental health. This study, the first of its kind for Saint Lucia sought to examine the extent to which the availability of a national mental health policy led to intersectoral action for mental health promotion and service delivery. In addition the study examined the level of intersectoral collaboration which actually exist between agencies which provide direct care and support services to people with mental illnesses and significant mental health problems. The study also aimed to identify the factors which promote or hinder intersectoral collaboration and generate recommendations which can be applied to extremely small countries with similar socio-economic profiles. Data generated from three (3) sources was synthesized to form a broad picture of the issues. An evaluation of the mental health policy of 2007, an assessment of the extent to which intersectoral action currently exist in mental health service delivery and the administration of semi-structured interviews with program managers from different agencies across sectors to identify implementation issues. The study concluded that despite the availability of a mental health policy which clearly and explicitly articulates intersectoral collaboration as a priority area for action, very little exists in the current service delivery system. Services providers across sectors acknowledge the benefits of intersectoral collaboration and that there are significant barriers to intersectoral collaboration, which in turn hinders a national approach to service planning and delivery. Intersectoral collaboration is not possible if sectors themselves are dependent on a top-down health sector driven and dominated approach, or if the general atmosphere is clouded by stigmatization of mental health illnesses.

Grafting of adipic anhydride to carbon nanotubes through a Diels-Alder cycloaddition/oxidation cascade reaction

Accepted Manuscript

Evidência observacional das brisas do lago de Balbina (Amazonas) e seus efeitos sobre a concentração do ozônio

Mecanismos de vento local, tal como as brisas, influenciam o transporte e dispersão dos gases. Medidas da direção do vento e concentração de ozônio (O3) à 10 metros de altura foram realizadas durante a execução do projeto LBA/CLAIRE-2001 (Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazônia / Cooperative LBA Airbone Regional Experiment - 2001), no período de 02 a 28.07.2001, nas dependências do Laboratório de Limnologia (01º 55' S, 59º28' W, 174 m) pertencente à Usina Hidrelétrica de Balbina, Amazonas. O lago artificial tem uma área de 2.360 km², sendo suficientemente grande para estabelecer um regime de brisas. As brisas de lago e floresta apresentam-se de forma bem definidas, sendo que a brisa de lago fica melhor caracterizada no período mais quente do dia (10 às 14 horas), enquanto a brisa de floresta evidencia-se no período de 16 às 08 horas com o resfriamento radiativo mais intenso da floresta, o que acarreta um forte contraste térmico. Enquanto isso, a concentração média diária (24 h) de O3 foi de 8,7 ppbv com média de 10,6 ppbv no período diurno e 3,5 ppbv no período noturno. Os resultados também indicaram que quando a brisa é de lago, mesmo a noturna, a concentração de O3 é muito maior do que correspondente a concentração referente a brisa de floresta.

Técnicas avançadas de sensoriamento remoto aplicadas ao estudo de mudanças climáticas e ao funcionamento dos ecossistemas amazônicos

Este artigo se propõe a apresentar exemplos de questões científicas que puderam ser respondidas no contexto do Projeto LBA (Large Sale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia) graças à contribuição de informações derivadas de sensoriamento remoto. Os métodos de sensoriamento remoto permitem integrar informações sobre os vários processos físicos e biológicos em diferentes escalas de tempo e espaço. Nesse artigo, são enfatizados aqueles avanços de conhecimento que jamais seriam alcançados sem a concorrência da informação derivada de sensoriamento.

Antibacterial properties of fibrous stents coated with silver oxide nanocoatings

Stents are rigid and perforated tubular structures, which are inserted into blood vessels in order to prevent or inhibit the constriction of blood flow, restoring the normal blood flow, when blood vessels are clogged, being used in 70% of angioplasties. These medical devices assume great importance in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) which are the leading cause of death worldwide. In the European Union CVD account for 40% of deaths and assume an estimated annual cost of 196 billion euros[1]. Stents must possess certain requirements, in order to, adequately, perform its function, such as biocompatibility (so that its use does not c ause damage on the health of its user), mechanical strength, radiopacity (so that it is easy to view), longitudinal flexibility, ease of handling, corrosion resistance and having high strength and high radial expansion ability to recover. Stents can be made of different materials, but metals, particularly stainless steel, are the most common. However, metallic stents present several dRawbacks such as corrosion and restenosis, leading to health complications for the patient, or even death. In order to minimize these disadvantages, new materials, like fibrous materials, have been used [2]. Monofilaments present high potential for stents development because, in addition to its biocompatibility, these materials allow the application of various surface treatments, such as antibacterial coatings. Furthermore, monofilament exhibit excellent mechanical properties, like greater stiffness and good results when subjected to compression, tensile and bending forces, since these forces will be directly supported by the monofilament [3]. To minimize the reaction of the human body and Limit the adhesion of microorganisms to the stent surface, some coatings have been developed, including the use of novel metals with antimicrobial properties, like silver. The main objective of this study was the development of fibrous stents, incorporation of silver oxide nanocoating. For the development of the stent, polyester monofilaments with 0.27mm of diameter were used in braiding technology, with a mandrel diameter of 6mm and a braiding angle of 35⁰. The mechanical behaviour of the stent were evaluated by mechanical testing under longitudinal and radial compression, bending. The results of compressive strength tests are according with value from literature: 1.13 to 2.9 N for radial compression and 0. 16-5.28N to longitudinal compression. From literature is also possible to verify that stents must present 75% of unchanged diameter during the bending test and must possess a porosity between 70% and 80% [4]. The produced polyester stent presents values of 1.29N for radial compression, 0.23N for longitudinal compression, 80% of porosity and 85.5% of unchanged diameter, during bending tests. For the antibacterial functionalization, silver oxide nanocoatings were prepared, through reactive magnetron g, with an Ag target in an Ar +O2 atmosphere. In order to evaluate the nanostructure and morphology of the coatings, d ifferent technique s like X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and and X- ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS were used. From the analyses of XRD it is possible to verify that the peaks corresponds to planes of Ag2 O and MATERIAIS 2015 Porto, 21-23 June, 2015 characterize a cubic phase. The presence of Ag2 O is corroborated by XPS spectrum, where it is possible to observe silver, not only, in oxide state, but a lso in mettalic state, and it is possible to verify the presence of silver clusters, confirmed by SEM analysis. Films’ roughness and topography, parameters influencing the wettability of the surface and microorganism adhesion, were measured by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and it was observed that the roughness is very low (under 10 nm). Coatings’ hydrophobicity and surface tension parameters were determined by contact angle measurement, and it was verified the hydrophobic behavior of the coatings. For antibacterial tests were used Staphylococcus epidermidis strain (IE186) and Staphylococcus aureus(ATCC 6538), and halo inhibition zone tests were realized. Ag+release rates were studied by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP -MS). The obtained results suggest that silver oxide coatings do not modify significantly surface properties of the substrate, like hydrophobicity and roughness, and present antimicrobial properties for both bacteria used.

Global warming in Amazonia: impacts and Mitigation

Global warming has potentially catastrophic impacts in Amazonia, while at the same time maintenance of the Amazon forest offers one of the most valuable and cost-effective options for mitigating climate change. We know that the El Niño phenomenon, caused by temperature oscillations of surface water in the Pacific, has serious impacts in Amazonia, causing droughts and forest fires (as in 1997-1998). Temperature oscillations in the Atlantic also provoke severe droughts (as in 2005). We also know that Amazonian trees die both from fires and from water stress under hot, dry conditions. In addition, water recycled through the forest provides rainfall that maintains climatic conditions appropriate for tropical forest, especially in the dry season. What we need to know quickly, through intensified research, includes progress in representing El Niño and the Atlantic oscillations in climatic models, representation of biotic feedbacks in models used for decision-making about global warming, and narrowing the range of estimating climate sensitivity to reduce uncertainty about the probability of very severe impacts. Items that need to be negotiated include the definition of "dangerous" climate change, with the corresponding maximum levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Mitigation of global warming must include maintaining the Amazon forest, which has benefits for combating global warming from two separate roles: cutting the flow the emissions of carbon each year from the rapid pace of deforestation, and avoiding emission of the stock of carbon in the remaining forest that can be released by various ways, including climate change itself. Barriers to rewarding forest maintenance include the need for financial rewards for both of these roles. Other needs are for continued reduction of uncertainty regarding emissions and deforestation processes, as well as agreement on the basis of carbon accounting. As one of the countries most subject to impacts of climate change, Brazil must assume the leadership in fighting global warming.

Impacto do azoto no processo de soldadura reflow

Dissertação de mestrado em Engenharia Industrial (área de especialização em Qualidade, Segurança e Manutenção)