Bio-based composites from stone groundwood applied to new product development

This paper deals with the product design, engineering, and material selection intended for the manufacturing of an eco-friendly chair. The final product is expected to combine design attributes with technical and legal feasibility with the implementation of new bio-based materials. Considering the industrial design, a range of objectives and trends were determined after setting the market requirements, and the final concept was proposed and modeled. The product geometry, production technology, and legal specifications were the input data for product engineering. The material selection was based on the technical requirements. Polypropylene (PP) composite materials based on coupled-fiberglass, sized-fiberglass, and coupled-stone ground wood reinforcements were prepared and characterized. Final formulations based on these PP composites are proposed and justified

Most of the Abundant Protein Fractions of Embryonic Cerebrospinal Fluid are Produced Out of the Brain Anlagen

The microenvironment of the central nervous system is important for neuronal function and development. During the early stages of embryo development the cephalic vesicles are filled by embryonic cerebrospinal fluid, a complex fluid containing different protein fractions, which contributes to the regulation of the survival, proliferation and neurogenesis of neuroectodermal stem cells. The protein content of embryonic cerebrospinal fluid from chick and rat embryos at the start of neurogenesis has already been determined. Most of the identified gene products are thought to be involved in the regulation of developmental processes during embryogenesis. However, due to the crucial roles played by embryonic cerebrospinal fluid during brain development, the embryological origin of the gene products it contains remains an intriguing question. According to the literature most of these products are synthesised in embryonic tissues other than the neuroepithelium. In this study we examined the embryological origin of the most abundant embryonic cerebrospinal fluid protein fractions by means of slot-blot analysis and by using several different embryonic and extraembryonic protein extracts, immunodetected with polyclonal antibodies. This first attempt to elucidate their origin is not based on the proteins identified by proteomic methods, but rather on crude protein fractions detected by SDS-PAGE analysis and to which polyclonal antibodies were specifically generated. Despite some of the limitations of this study, i.e. that one protein fraction may contain more than one gene product, and that a specific gene product may be contained in different protein fractions depending on post-translational modifications, our results show that most of the analysed protein fractions are not produced by the cephalic neuroectoderm but are rather stored in the egg reservoir; furthermore, few are produced by embryo tissues, thus indicating that they must be transported from their production or storage sites to the cephalic cavities, most probably via embryonic serum. These results raise the question as to whether the transfer of proteins from these two embryo compartments is regulated at this early developmental stage.

Interaktiivisen asiakasrajapinnan mahdollistamat energiatehokkuutta tukevat toiminnot ja niiden kannattavuus

Automaattisen mittarinluvun yleistyminen ja asiakkaan verkkoliitynnässä käytettävän tekniikan kehittyminen luovat pohjan uudentyyppisen interaktiivisen asiakasrajanpinnan synnylle. Se voi osaltaan mahdollistaa asiakkaan entistä joustavamman sähköverkkoon liitynnän sekä nykyistä reaaliaikaisemmat ja tarkemmat mittaukset. Näiden pohjalle on mahdollista kehittää erilaisia energiatehokkuutta tukevia toimintoja ja niihin perustuvia palveluita. Tämän työn tarkoituksena on tutkia interaktiivisen asiakasrajapinnan mahdollistamia energiatehokkuutta tukevia toimintoja. Lupaavimpia toimintoja, niiden kannattavuutta ja potentiaalia energiatehokkuuden parantamisessa analysoidaan tarkemmin. Lisäksi tarkastellaan niihin tarvittavaa tekniikkaa, mittaustietoja ja tiedonsiirtoa. Nykyinen tekniikka mahdollistaa useiden erilaisten energiatehokkuutta tukevien toimintojen toteuttamisen. Tässä työssä käsiteltiin tarkemmin energiayhtiön AMR-pohjaista tasehallintaa ja sähkön pienkuluttajien hintaohjausta. AMR-pohjaisen tasehallinnan havaittiin olevan oikein kohdennettuna kannattavaa. Sähkön hintaohjaus voi laajassa mittakaavassa toteutettuna olla kannattavaa, mutta yksittäiskohteissa sen toteutuksen kustannukset ovat liian suuret. Suurimpia ongelmia energiatehokkuutta tukevien toimintojen toteutuksen kannalta muodostavat usein kiinteät kustannukset sekä yleisten rajapin-tavaatimusten ja toimintamallien puute. Tuotteiden standardointi, sarjatuotanto sekä tekniikan kehittyminen voivat mahdollistaa kiinteiden kustannusten huomattavan pienenemisen ja tätä kautta toimintojen kustannustehokkuuden paranemisen. Kehittämällä uusia yhteisiä toimintamalleja ja tuotteita voidaan käytettävissä olevaa tekniikkaa hyödyntää tehokkaammin. Myös uudet näköpiirissä olevat nopeammat ja luotettavammat tiedonsiirtotekniikat voivat mahdollistaa reaaliaikaisemmat mittaustietojen ja signaalien välitykset, mikä usein parantaa toimintojen tehokkuutta ja kannattavuutta.

Real-Time Simulation of Mobile and Industrial Machines Using the Multibody Simulation Approach

This thesis introduces a real-time simulation environment based on the multibody simulation approach. The environment consists of components that are used in conventional product development, including computer aided drawing, visualization, dynamic simulation and finite element software architecture, data transfer and haptics. These components are combined to perform as a coupled system on one platform. The environment is used to simulate mobile and industrial machines at different stages of a product life time. Consequently, the demands of the simulated scenarios vary. In this thesis, a real-time simulation environment based on the multibody approach is used to study a reel mechanism of a paper machine and a gantry crane. These case systems are used to demonstrate the usability of the real-time simulation environment for fault detection purposes and in the context of a training simulator. In order to describe the dynamical performance of a mobile or industrial machine, the nonlinear equations of motion must be defined. In this thesis, the dynamical behaviour of machines is modelled using the multibody simulation approach. A multibody system may consist of rigid and flexible bodies which are joined using kinematic joint constraints while force components are used to describe the actuators. The strength of multibody dynamics relies upon its ability to describe nonlinearities arising from wearing of the components, friction, large rotations or contact forces in a systematic manner. For this reason, the interfaces between subsystems such as mechanics, hydraulics and control systems of the mechatronic machine can be defined and analyzed in a straightforward manner.

A three dimensional study of heat transfer in a supercritical circulating fluidized bed combustor

From the boiler design point of view, it is imperative to know and understand the operation of the boiler. Since comprehensive measurement of a large furnace is impossible, the furnace can be modeled in order to study its behavior and phenomena. This requires the used model to be validated to correspond with the physical furnace behavior. In this thesis, a three dimensional furnace model is validated to match a bituminous coal utilizing, supercritical once-through circulating fluidized bed combustor based on measurement data. The validated model is used for analyzing the furnace heat transfer. Other heat transfer analysis methods are energy balance method based on tube surface temperature measurements and a method based on measured temperature difference between the tube crest and the fin. The latter method was developed in the thesis using Fluent-software. In the theory part, literature is reviewed and the fundamental aspects of circulating fluidized bed are discussed. These aspects are solid particle behavior in fluidization known as hydrodynamics, behavior of fuel and combustion and heat transfer. Fundamental aspects of modeling are also presented.

Cost estimation framework for modular product

Cost estimation is an important, but challenging process when designing a new product or a feature of it, verifying the product prices given by suppliers or planning a cost saving actions of existing products. It is even more challenging when the product is highly modular, not a bulk product. In general, cost estimation techniques can be divided into two main groups - qualitative and quantitative techniques - which can further be classified into more detailed methods. Generally, qualitative techniques are preferable when comparing alternatives and quantitative techniques when cost relationships can be found. The main objective of this thesis was to develop a method on how to estimate costs of internally manufactured and commercial elevator landing doors. Because of the challenging product structure, the proposed cost estimation framework is developed under three different levels based on past cost information available. The framework consists of features from both qualitative and quantitative cost estimation techniques. The starting point for the whole cost estimation process is an unambiguous, hierarchical product structure so that the product can be classified into controllable parts and is then easier to handle. Those controllable parts can then be compared to existing past cost knowledge of similar parts and create as accurate cost estimates as possible by that way.

Fluxos de óxido nitroso na interface ar-mar na Baía de Guanabara

In Surface water concentrations of N2O were measured at 37 stations in Guanabara Bay and fluxes estimated across the air-sea interface. Concentrations averaged 8.2 ± 2.2 nmol L-1 and 90% of the stations showed supersaturation averaging 33%. N2O fluxes were estimated using a two-film model which is given by the product of the concentration difference across the film and the gas transfer coefficient (k w). Two parametrizations of k w were used which provided average fluxes of 0.3 and 3.0 µg N m-2 h-1. Flux measurements using floating chambers (not reported here) seem to agree with the upper limit of these estimates.

Determinação espectrofotométrica de cefalexina em formulações farmacêuticas explorando a sua reação de transferência de carga com a quinalizarina

This work proposes a new simple and fast spectrophotometric method for cephalexin determination in pharmaceutical formulations. The method is based on the charge transfer reaction between cephalexin and quinalizarin in dimethylsulfoxide medium. Several analytical parameters related to the system were optimized and the reaction was characterized in terms of stoichiometry. Also, association constant and apparent molar absorptivity of the product were determined. The method presented a limit of detection of 0.46 mg L-1 and a quantification limit of 1.5 mg L-1. It was successfully applied in the determination of cephalexin in two samples of commercial pharmaceutical formulations.

Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol by the [Ru3O(OAc)6(py)2(CH3OH)]3+cluster: improving the metal-ligand electron transfer by accessing the higher oxidation states of a multicentered system

The [Ru3O(Ac)6(py)2(CH3OH)]+ cluster provides an effective electrocatalytic species for the oxidation of methanol under mild conditions. This complex exhibits characteristic electrochemical waves at -1.02, 0.15 and 1.18 V, associated with the Ru3III,II,II/Ru3III,III,II/Ru 3III,III,III /Ru3IV,III,III successive redox couples, respectively. Above 1.7 V, formation of two RuIV centers enhances the 2-electron oxidation of the methanol ligand yielding formaldehyde, in agreement with the theoretical evolution of the HOMO levels as a function of the oxidation states. This work illustrates an important strategy to improve the efficiency of the oxidation catalysis, by using a multicentered redox catalyst and accessing its multiple higher oxidation states.

Theoretical investigation of electronic excitation transfer between chlorophylls in light-harvesting antenna of photosystem ii using quantum computers

The excitation energy transfer between chlorophylls in major and minor antenna complexes of photosystem II (PSII) was investigated using quantum Fourier transforms. These transforms have an important role in the efficiency of quantum algorithms of quantum computers. The equation 2n=N was used to make the connection between excitation energy transfers using quantum Fourier transform, where n is the number of qubits required for simulation of transfers and N is the number of chlorophylls in the antenna complexes.

Development of Collaborative Product Structure Management

The purpose of this thesis is to develop an environment or network that enables effective collaborative product structure management among stakeholders in each unit, throughout the entire product lifecycle and product data management. This thesis uses framework models as an approach to the problem. Framework model methods for development of collaborative product structure management are proposed in this study, there are three unique models depicted to support collaborative product structure management: organization model, process model and product model. In the organization model, the formation of product data management system (eDSTAT) key user network is specified. In the process model, development is based on the case company’s product development matrix. In the product model framework, product model management, product knowledge management and design knowledge management are defined as development tools and collaboration is based on web-based product structure management. Collaborative management is executed using all these approaches. A case study from an actual project at the case company is presented as an implementation; this is to verify the models’ applicability. A computer assisted design tool and the web-based product structure manager, have been used as tools of this collaboration with the support of the key user. The current PDM system, eDSTAT, is used as a piloting case for key user role. The result of this development is that the role of key user as a collaboration channel is defined and established. The key user is able to provide one on one support for the elevator projects. Also the management activities are improved through the application of process workflow by following criteria for each project milestone. The development shows effectiveness of product structure management in product lifecycle, improved production process by eliminating barriers (e.g. improvement of two-way communication) during design phase and production phase. The key user role is applicable on a global scale in the company.

Electron transfer by singlet excited state of porphyn and electron acceptor affinity in rigid medium: photoacoustic phase angle analysis

Photoacoustic spectroscopy provides information about both amplitude and phase of the response of a system to an optical excitation process. This paper presents the studies of the phase in the electron transfer process between octaethylporphyn (OEP) and quinone molecules dispersed in a polymeric matrix. It was observed a tendency in the phase behavior to small values only in the spectral region near to 620 nm, while for shorter wavelength did not show any tendency. These measurements suggested that the electron transfer to acceptor occurred with the participation of octaethylporphyn singlet excited state.

Electron migration in DNA matrix: an electron transfer reaction

This paper brings an active and provocative area of current research. It describes the investigation of electron transfer (ET) chemistry in general and ET reactions results in DNA in particular. Two DNA intercalating molecules were used: Ethidium Bromide as the donor (D) and Methyl-Viologen as the acceptor (A), the former intercalated between DNA bases and the latter in its surface. Using the Perrin model and fluorescence quenching measurements the distance of electron migration, herein considered to be the linear spacing between donor and acceptor molecule along the DNA molecule, was obtained. A value of 22.6 (± 1.1) angstroms for the distance and a number of 6.6 base pairs between donor and acceptor were found. In current literature the values found were 26 angstroms and almost 8 base pairs. DNA electron transfer is considered to be mediated by through-space interactions between the p-electron-containing base pairs.