Agronomic properties of biochars from different manure wastes

Biochar research has focused in the last years in the use of wood or grass derived materials for carbon sequestration. However, manure derived biochar can provide other benefits after soil addition, including nutrient supply. At present, there is an incomplete understanding of pyrolysis on manures. In order to understand the benefits obtained after addition of these types of materials to the soil, an experiment involving the use of different manures and pyrolysis temperatures was performed. Five manure wastes were selected for this experiment: cattle manure (E); cattle manure mixed with straw (EP), chicken manure (G), chicken manure mixed with sawdust (GS) and pig slurry (PC). Unpyrolyzed samples were compared to biochars prepared at 300 and 500?C. Relevant properties for agronomic purposes were determined, including pH, electrical conductivity, nutrient content, metal content, proximate analysis and carbon thermostability. Our results show that biochars tailored for different purposes can be prepared after a careful choice of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature.

Modelling agro-forestry scenarios for ammonia abatement in the landscape

Ammonia emissions from livestock production can have negative impacts on nearby protected sites and ecosystems that are sensitive to eutrophication and acidification. Trees are effective scavengers of both gaseous and particulate pollutants from the atmosphere making tree belts potentially effective landscape features to support strategies aiming to reduce ammonia impacts. This research used the MODDAS-THETIS a coupled turbulence and deposition turbulence model, to examine the relationships between tree canopy structure and ammonia capture for three source types?animal housing, slurry lagoon, and livestock under a tree canopy. By altering the canopy length, leaf area index, leaf area density, and height of the canopy in the model the capture efficiencies varied substantially. A maximum of 27% of the emitted ammonia was captured by tree canopy for the animal housing source, for the slurry lagoon the maximum was 19%, while the livestock under trees attained a maximum of 60% recapture. Using agro-forestry systems of differing tree structures near ?hot spots? of ammonia in the landscape could provide an effective abatement option for the livestock industry that complements existing source reduction measures.

Hammer: an Android based application for end-user industrial robot programming

This paper presents a novel tablet based end-user interface for industrial robot programming (called Hammer). This application makes easier to program tasks for industrial robots like polishing, milling or grinding. It is based on the Scratch programming language, but specifically design and created for Android OS. It is a visual programming concept that allows non-skilled programmer operators to create programs. The application also allows to monitor the tasks while it is being executed by overlapping real time information through augmented reality. The application includes a teach pendant screen that can be customized according to the operator needs at every moment.

Sobre el comportamiento de micropilotes trabajando a flexión y/o cortante en estructuras de tierra

El empleo de los micropilotes en la ingeniería civil ha revolucionado las técnicas de estabilización de terraplenes a media ladera, ya que aunque los pilotes pueden ser la opción más económica, el uso de micropilotes permite llegar a sitios inaccesibles con menor coste de movimientos de tierras, realización de plataformas de trabajo de dimensiones reducidas, maquinaria necesaria es mucho más pequeña, liviana y versátil en su uso, incluyendo la posibilidad de situar la fabricación de morteros o lechadas a distancias de varias decenas de metros del elemento a ejecutar. Sin embargo, realizando una revisión de la documentación técnica que se tiene en el ámbito ingenieril, se comprobó que los sistemas de diseño de algunos casos (micropilotes en terraplenes a media ladera, micropilotes en pantallas verticales, micropilotes como “paraguas” en túneles, etc.) eran bastante deficientes o poco desarrollados. Premisa que permite concluir que el constructor ha ido por delante (como suele ocurrir en ingeniería geotécnica) del cálculo o de su análisis teórico. Del mismo modo se determinó que en su mayoría los micropilotes se utilizan en labores de recalce o como nueva solución de cimentación en condiciones de difícil acceso, casos en los que el diseño de los micropilotes viene definido por cargas axiales, de compresión o de tracción, consideraciones que se contemplan en reglamentaciones como la “Guía para el proyecto y la ejecución de micropilotes en obras de carretera” del Ministerio de Fomento. En los micropilotes utilizados para estabilizar terraplenes a media ladera y micropilotes actuando como muros pantalla, en los que éstos trabajan a esfuerzo cortante y flexión, no se dispone de sistemas de análisis fiables o no se introduce adecuadamente el problema de interacción terreno-micropilote. Además en muchos casos, los parámetros geotécnicos que se utilizan no tienen una base técnico-teórica adecuada por lo que los diseños pueden quedar excesivamente del lado de la seguridad, en la mayoría de los casos, o todo lo contrario. Uno de los objetivos principales de esta investigación es estudiar el comportamiento de los micropilotes que están sometidos a esfuerzos de flexión y cortante, además de otros objetivos de gran importancia que se describen en el apartado correspondiente de esta tesis. Cabe indicar que en este estudio no se ha incluido el caso de micropilotes quasi-horizontales trabajando a flexion (como los “paraguas” en túneles), por considerarse que estos tienen un comportamiento y un cálculo diferente, que está fuera del alcance de esta investigación. Se ha profundizado en el estudio del empleo de micropilotes en taludes, presentando casos reales de obras ejecutadas, datos estadísticos, problemas de diseño y ejecución, métodos de cálculo simplificados y modelación teórica en cada caso, efectuada mediante el empleo de elementos finitos con el Código Plaxis 2D. Para llevar a cabo los objetivos que se buscan con esta investigación, se ha iniciado con el desarrollo del “Estado del Arte” que ha permitido establecer tipología, aplicaciones, características y cálculo de los micropilotes que se emplean habitualmente. Seguidamente y a efectos de estudiar el problema dentro de un marco geotécnico real, se ha seleccionado una zona española de actuación, siendo ésta Andalucía, en la que se ha utilizado de manera muy importante la técnica de micropilotes sobre todo en problemas de estabilidad de terraplenes a media ladera. A partir de ahí, se ha realizado un estudio de las propiedades geotécnicas de los materiales (principalmente suelos y rocas muy blandas) que están presentes en esta zona geográfica, estudio que ha sido principalmente bibliográfico o a partir de la experiencia en la zona del Director de esta tesis. Del análisis realizado se han establecido ordenes de magnitud de los parámetros geotécnicos, principalmente la cohesión y el ángulo de rozamiento interno (además del módulo de deformación aparente o de un módulo de reacción lateral equivalente) para los diversos terrenos andaluces. Con el objeto de conocer el efecto de la ejecución de un micropilote en el terreno (volumen medio real del micropilote, una vez ejecutado; efecto de la presión aplicada en las propiedades del suelo circundante, etc.) se ha realizado una encuesta entre diversas empresas españolas especializadas en la técnica de los micropilotes, a efectos de controlar los volúmenes de inyección y las presiones aplicadas, en función de la deformabilidad del terreno circundante a dichos micropilotes, con lo que se ha logrado definir una rigidez a flexión equivalente de los mismos y la definición y características de una corona de terreno “mejorado” lograda mediante la introducción de la lechada y el efecto de la presión alrededor del micropilote. Con las premisas anteriores y a partir de los parámetros geotécnicos determinados para los terrenos andaluces, se ha procedido a estudiar la estabilidad de terraplenes apoyados sobre taludes a media ladera, mediante el uso de elementos finitos con el Código Plaxis 2D. En el capítulo 5. “Simulación del comportamiento de micropilotes estabilizando terraplenes”, se han desarrollado diversas simulaciones. Para empezar se simplificó el problema simulando casos similares a algunos reales en los que se conocía que los terraplenes habían llegado hasta su situación límite (de los que se disponía información de movimientos medidos con inclinómetros), a partir de ahí se inició la simulación de la inestabilidad para establecer el valor de los parámetros de resistencia al corte del terreno (mediante un análisis retrospectivo – back-análisis) comprobando a su vez que estos valores eran similares a los deducidos del estudio bibliográfico. Seguidamente se han introducido los micropilotes en el borde de la carretera y se ha analizado el comportamiento de éstos y del talud del terraplén (una vez construidos los micropilotes), con el objeto de establecer las bases para su diseño. De este modo y adoptando los distintos parámetros geotécnicos establecidos para los terrenos andaluces, se simularon tres casos reales (en Granada, Málaga y Ceuta), comparando los resultados de dichas simulaciones numéricas con los resultados de medidas reales de campo (desplazamientos del terreno, medidos con inclinómetros), obteniéndose una reproducción bastante acorde a los movimientos registrados. Con las primeras simulaciones se concluye que al instalar los micropilotes la zona más insegura de la ladera es la de aguas abajo. La superficie de rotura ya no afecta a la calzada que protegen los micropilotes. De ahí que se deduzca que esta solución sea válida y se haya aplicado masivamente en Andalucía. En esas condiciones, podría decirse que no se está simulando adecuadamente el trabajo de flexión de los micropilotes (en la superficie de rotura, ya que no les corta), aunque se utilicen elementos viga. Por esta razón se ha realizado otra simulación, basada en las siguientes hipótesis: − Se desprecia totalmente la masa potencialmente deslizante, es decir, la que está por delante de la fila exterior de micros. − La estratigrafía del terreno es similar a la considerada en las primeras simulaciones. − La barrera de micropilotes está constituida por dos elementos inclinados (uno hacia dentro del terraplén y otro hacia fuera), con inclinación 1(H):3(V). − Se puede introducir la rigidez del encepado. − Los micros están separados 0,556 m ó 1,00 m dentro de la misma alineación. − El empotramiento de los micropilotes en el sustrato resistente puede ser entre 1,5 y 7,0 m. Al “anular” el terreno que está por delante de los micropilotes, a lo largo del talud, estos elementos empiezan claramente a trabajar, pudiendo deducirse los esfuerzos de cortante y de flexión que puedan actuar sobre ellos (cota superior pero prácticamente muy cerca de la solución real). En esta nueva modelación se ha considerado tanto la rigidez equivalente (coeficiente ϴ) como la corona de terreno tratado concéntrico al micropilote. De acuerdo a esto último, y gracias a la comparación de estas modelaciones con valores reales de movimientos en laderas instrumentadas con problemas de estabilidad, se ha verificado que existe una similitud bastante importante entre los valores teóricos obtenidos y los medidos en campo, en relación al comportamiento de los micropilotes ejecutados en terraplenes a media ladera. Finalmente para completar el análisis de los micropilotes trabajando a flexión, se ha estudiado el caso de micropilotes dispuestos verticalmente, trabajando como pantallas discontinuas provistas de anclajes, aplicado a un caso real en la ciudad de Granada, en la obra “Hospital de Nuestra Señora de la Salud”. Para su análisis se utilizó el código numérico CYPE, basado en que la reacción del terreno se simula con muelles de rigidez Kh o “módulo de balasto” horizontal, introduciendo en la modelación como variables: a) Las diferentes medidas obtenidas en campo; b) El espesor de terreno cuaternario, que por lo que se pudo determinar, era variable, c) La rigidez y tensión inicial de los anclajes. d) La rigidez del terreno a través de valores relativos de Kh, recopilados en el estudio de los suelos de Andalucía, concretamente en la zona de Granada. Dicha pantalla se instrumentó con 4 inclinómetros (introducidos en los tubos de armadura de cuatro micropilotes), a efectos de controlar los desplazamientos horizontales del muro de contención durante las excavaciones pertinentes, a efectos de comprobar la seguridad del conjunto. A partir del modelo de cálculo desarrollado, se ha comprobado que el valor de Kh pierde importancia debido al gran número de niveles de anclajes, en lo concerniente a las deformaciones horizontales de la pantalla. Por otro lado, los momentos flectores son bastante sensibles a la distancia entre anclajes, al valor de la tensión inicial de los mismos y al valor de Kh. Dicho modelo también ha permitido reproducir de manera fiable los valores de desplazamientos medidos en campo y deducir los parámetros de deformabilidad del terreno, Kh, con valores del orden de la mitad de los medidos en el Metro Ligero de Granada, pero visiblemente superiores a los deducibles de ábacos que permiten obtener Kh para suelos granulares con poca cohesión (gravas y cuaternario superior de Sevilla) como es el caso del ábaco de Arozamena, debido, a nuestro juicio, a la cementación de los materiales presentes en Granada. En definitiva, de las anteriores deducciones se podría pensar en la optimización del diseño de los micropilotes en las obras que se prevean ejecutar en Granada, con similares características al caso de la pantalla vertical arriostrada mediante varios niveles de anclajes y en las que los materiales de emplazamiento tengan un comportamiento geotécnico similar a los estudiados, con el consiguiente ahorro económico. Con todo ello, se considera que se ha hecho una importante aportación para el diseño de futuras obras de micropilotes, trabajando a flexión y cortante, en obras de estabilización de laderas o de excavaciones. Using micropiles in civil engineering has transformed the techniques of stabilization of embankments on the natural or artificial slopes, because although the piles may be the cheapest option, the use of micropiles can reach inaccessible places with lower cost of earthworks, carrying out small work platforms. Machinery used is smaller, lightweight and versatile, including the possibility of manufacturing mortars or cement grouts over distances of several tens of meters of the element to build. However, making a review of the technical documentation available in the engineering field, it was found that systems designed in some cases (micropiles in embankments on the natural slopes, micropiles in vertical cut-off walls, micropiles like "umbrella" in tunnels, etc.) were quite poor or underdeveloped. Premise that concludes the builder has gone ahead (as usually happen in geotechnical engineering) of calculation or theoretical analysis. In the same way it was determined that most of the micropiles are used in underpinning works or as a new foundation solution in conditions of difficult access, in which case the design of micropiles is defined by axial, compressive or tensile loads, considered in regulations as the " Handbook for the design and execution of micropiles in road construction" of the Ministry of Development. The micropiles used to stabilize embankments on the slopes and micropiles act as retaining walls, where they work under shear stress and bending moment, there are not neither reliable systems analysis nor the problem of soil-micropile interaction are properly introduced. Moreover, in many cases, the geotechnical parameters used do not have a proper technical and theoretical basis for what designs may be excessively safe, or the opposite, in most cases. One of the main objectives of this research is to study the behavior of micro piles which are subjected to bending moment and shear stress, as well as other important objectives described in the pertinent section of this thesis. It should be noted that this study has not included the case of quasi-horizontal micropiles working bending moment (as the "umbrella" in tunnels), because it is considered they have a different behavior and calculation, which is outside the scope of this research. It has gone in depth in the study of using micropiles on slopes, presenting real cases of works made, statistics, problems of design and implementation, simplified calculation methods and theoretical modeling in each case, carried out by using FEM (Finite Element Method) Code Plaxis 2D. To accomplish the objectives of this research, It has been started with the development of the "state of the art" which stipulate types, applications, characteristics and calculation of micropiles that are commonly used. In order to study the problem in a real geotechnical field, it has been selected a Spanish zone of action, this being Andalusia, in which it has been used in a very important way, the technique of micropiles especially in embankments stability on natural slopes. From there, it has made a study of the geotechnical properties of the materials (mainly very soft soils and rocks) that are found in this geographical area, which has been mainly a bibliographic study or from the experience in the area of the Director of this thesis. It has been set orders of magnitude of the geotechnical parameters from analyzing made, especially the cohesion and angle of internal friction (also apparent deformation module or a side reaction module equivalent) for various typical Andalusian ground. In order to determine the effect of the implementation of a micropile on the ground (real average volume of micropile once carried out, effect of the pressure applied on the properties of the surrounding soil, etc.) it has conducted a survey among various skilled companies in the technique of micropiles, in order to control injection volumes and pressures applied, depending on the deformability of surrounding terrain such micropiles, whereby it has been possible to define a bending stiffness and the definition and characteristics of a crown land "improved" achieved by introducing the slurry and the effect of the pressure around the micropile. With the previous premises and from the geotechnical parameters determined for the Andalusian terrain, we proceeded to study the stability of embankments resting on batters on the slope, using FEM Code Plaxis 2D. In the fifth chapter "Simulation of the behavior of micropiles stabilizing embankments", there were several different numerical simulations. To begin the problem was simplified simulating similar to some real in which it was known that the embankments had reached their limit situation (for which information of movements measured with inclinometers were available), from there the simulation of instability is initiated to set the value of the shear strength parameters of the ground (by a retrospective analysis or back-analysis) checking these values were similar to those deduced from the bibliographical study Then micropiles have been introduced along the roadside and its behavior was analyzed as well as the slope of embankment (once micropiles were built ), in order to establish the basis for its design. In this way and taking the different geotechnical parameters for the Andalusian terrain, three real cases (in Granada, Malaga and Ceuta) were simulated by comparing the results of these numerical simulations with the results of real field measurements (ground displacements measured with inclinometers), getting quite consistent information according to registered movements. After the first simulations it has been concluded that after installing the micropiles the most insecure area of the natural slope is the downstream. The failure surface no longer affects the road that protects micropiles. Hence it is inferred that this solution is acceptable and it has been massively applied in Andalusia. Under these conditions, one could say that it is not working properly simulating the bending moment of micropiles (on the failure surface, and that does not cut them), although beam elements are used. Therefore another simulation was performed based on the following hypotheses: − The potentially sliding mass is totally neglected, that is, which is ahead of the outer row of micropiles. − Stratigraphy field is similar to the one considered in the first simulations. − Micropiles barrier is constituted by two inclined elements (one inward and one fill out) with inclination 1 (H): 3 (V). − You can enter the stiffness of the pile cap. − The microlies lines are separated 0.556 m or 1.00 m in the same alignment. − The embedding of the micropiles in the tough substrate can be between 1.5 and 7.0 m. To "annul" the ground that is in front of the micro piles, along the slope, these elements clearly start working, efforts can be inferred shear stress and bending moment which may affect them (upper bound but pretty close to the real) solution. In this new modeling it has been considered both equivalent stiffness coefficient (θ) as the treated soil crown concentric to the micropile. According to the latter, and by comparing these values with real modeling movements on field slopes instrumented with stability problems, it was verified that there is quite a significant similarity between the obtained theoretical values and the measured field in relation to the behavior of micropiles executed in embankments along the natural slope. Finally to complete the analysis of micropiles working in bending conditions, we have studied the case of micropiles arranged vertically, working as discontinued cut-off walls including anchors, applied to a real case in the city of Granada, in the play "Hospital of Our Lady of the Health ". CYPE numeric code, based on the reaction of the ground is simulated spring stiffness Kh or "subgrade" horizontal, introduced in modeling was used as variables for analysis: a) The different measurements obtained in field; b) The thickness of quaternary ground, so that could be determined, was variable, c) The stiffness and the prestress of the anchors. d) The stiffness of the ground through relative values of Kh, collected in the study of soils in Andalusia, particularly in the area of Granada. (previously study of the Andalusia soils) This cut-off wall was implemented with 4 inclinometers (introduced in armor tubes four micropiles) in order to control the horizontal displacements of the retaining wall during the relevant excavations, in order to ensure the safety of the whole. From the developed model calculation, it was found that the value of Kh becomes less important because a large number of anchors levels, with regard to the horizontal deformation of the cut-off wall. On the other hand, the bending moments are quite sensitive to the distance between anchors, the initial voltage value thereof and the value of Kh. This model has also been reproduced reliably displacement values measured in the field and deduce parameters terrain deformability, Kh, with values around half the measured Light Rail in Granada, but visibly higher than deductible of abacuses which can obtain Kh for granular soils with low cohesion (upper Quaternary gravels and Sevilla) such as Abacus Arozamena, because, in our view, to cementing materials in Granada. In short, previous deductions you might think on optimizing the design of micropiles in the works that are expected to perform in Granada, with similar characteristics to the case of the vertical cut-off wall braced through several levels of anchors and in which materials location have a geotechnical behavior similar to those studied, with the consequent economic savings. With all this, it is considered that a significant contribution have been made for the design of future works of micropiles, bending moment and shear stress working in slope stabilization works or excavations.

Optimización de la aplicación de lodos de depuración de aguas residuales al abonado o mejora de suelos

El objetivo de este trabajo de investigación fue evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de lodos residuales procedentes de una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales acondicionados como biosólido para el abonado de tres cultivos agrícolas. Esto se realizó a través del estudio de las variables de producción (desarrollo vegetal de cada cultivo) y de la comparación de las características de los suelos utilizados antes y después de los ensayos experimentales. A través de la investigación se confirmó la mejora en la calidad del suelo y mejor rendimiento de cultivo debido a los biosólidos procedentes de tratamiento de aguas residuales. Este trabajo de investigación de tipo descriptivo y experimental, utilizó lodos optimizados que fueron aplicados a tres cultivos agrícolas de ciclo corto. Fueron evaluados dos cultivos (sandía y tomate) bajo riego y un cultivo (arroz) en secano. En la primera fase del trabajo se realizó la caracterización de los lodos, para ellos se realizaron pruebas físico químicas y microbiológicas. Fue utilizado el método de determinación de metales por espectrometría de emisión atómica de plasma acoplado inductivamente, (ICP-AES) para conocer las concentraciones de metales. La caracterización microbiológica para coliformes totales y fecales se realizó utilizando la técnica del Número más probable (NMP), y para la identificación de organismos patógenos se utilizó el método microbiológico propuesto por Kornacki & Johnson (2001), que se fundamenta en dos procesos: pruebas presuntivas y prueba confirmativa. Tanto los resultados para la determinación de metales y elementos potencialmente tóxicos; como las pruebas para la determinación de microorganismos potencialmente peligrosos, estuvieron por debajo de los límites considerados peligrosos establecidos por la normativa vigente en Panama (Reglamento Técnico COPANIT 47-2000). Una vez establecido la caracterización de los lodos, se evalúo el potencial de nutrientes (macro y micro) presentes en los biosólidos para su potencial de uso como abono en cultivos agrícolas. El secado de lodos fue realizado a través de una era de secado, donde los lodos fueron deshidratados hasta alcanzar una textura pastosa. “La pasta de lodo” fue transportada al área de los ensayos de campo para continuar el proceso de secado y molida. Tres ensayos experimentales fueron diseñados al azar con cinco tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones para cada uno de los tres cultivos: sandía, tomate, arroz, en parcelas de 10m2 (sandía y tomate) y 20 m2 (arroz) para cada tratamiento. Tres diferentes dosis de biosólidos fueron evaluadas y comparadas con un tratamiento de fertilizante comercial y un tratamiento control. La dosis de fertilizante comercial utilizada en cada cultivo fue la recomendada por el Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria de Panamá. Los ensayos consideraron la caracterización inicial del suelo, la preparación del suelo, semilla, y arreglo topográfico de los cultivos siguiendo las recomendaciones agronómicas de manejo de cultivo establecida por el Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria. Para los ensayos de sandía y tomate se instaló el sistema de riego por goteo. Se determinaron los ácidos húmicos presentes en los cultivos, y se estudiaron las variables de desarrollo de cada cultivo (fructificación, cosecha, peso de la cosecha, dimensiones de tamaño y color de las frutas, rendimiento, y la relación costo – rendimiento). También se estudiaron las variaciones de los macro y micro nutrientes y las variaciones de pH, textura de suelo y MO disponible al inicio y al final de cada uno de los ensayos de campo. Todas las variables y covariables fueron analizadas utilizando el programa estadístico INFOSAT (software para análisis estadístico de aplicación general) mediante el análisis de varianza, el método de comparaciones múltiples propuesto por Fisher (LSD Fisher) para comparar las medias de los cultivares y el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson que nos permite analizar si existe una asociación lineal entre dos variables. En la evaluación de los aportes del biosólido a los cultivos se observó que los macronutrientes N y P se encontraban de los límites requeridos en cada uno de los cultivos, pero que los niveles de K estuvieron por debajo de los requerimientos de los cultivos. A nivel de la fertilización tradicional con fertilizante químico se observó que la dosis recomendada para cada uno de los cultivos del estudio estaba sobreestimada en los tres principales macronutrientes: Nitrógeno, Fosforo y Potasio. Contenían concentraciones superiores de N, P y K a las requeridas teóricamente por el cultivo. El nutriente que se aporta en exceso es el Fósforo. Encontramos que para el cultivo de sandía era 18 veces mayor a lo requerido por el cultivo, en tomate fue 12 veces mayor y en el cultivo de arroz, 34 veces mayor. El fertilizante comercial tuvo una influencia en el peso final y rendimiento final en cada uno de los cultivos del estudio. A diferencia, los biosólidos tuvieron una influencia directa en el desarrollo de los cultivos (germinación, coloración, tamaño, longitud, diámetro, floración y resistencia a enfermedades). Para el caso de la sandía la dosis de biosólido más cercana al óptimo para el cultivo es la mayor dosis aplicada en este ensayo (97.2 gramos de biosólido por planta). En el caso de tomate, el fertilizante comercial obtuvo los mejores valores, pero las diferencias son mínimas con relación al tratamiento T1, de menor dosis de biosólido (16.2 gramos de biosólido por planta). Los resultados generales del ensayo de tomate estuvieron por debajo del rendimiento esperado para el cultivo. Los tratamientos de aplicación de biosólidos aportaron al desarrollo del cultivo en las variables tamaño, color y resistencia a las enfermedades dentro del cultivo de tomate. Al igual que el tomate, en el caso del arroz, el tratamiento comercial obtuvo los mejores resultados. Los resultados finales de peso y rendimiento del cultivo indican que el tratamiento (T2), menor dosis de biosólido (32.4 gramos por parcela), no tuvo diferencias significativas con los resultados obtenidos en las parcelas con aplicación de fertilizante comercial (T1). El tratamiento T4 (mayor dosis de biosólido) obtuvo los mejores valores para las variables germinación, ahijamiento y espigamiento del cultivo, pero al momento de la maduración obtuvo los menores resultados. Los biosólidos aportan nutrientes a los cultivos y al final del ensayo se observó que permanecen disponibles en el suelo, aportando a la mejora del suelo final. En los tres ensayos, se pudo comprobar que los aportes de los biosólidos en el desarrollo vegetativo de los cultivos. También se encontró en todos los ensayos que no hubo diferencias significativas (p > 0.05) entre los tratamientos de biosólidos y fertilizante comercial. Para obtener mejores resultados en estos tres ensayos se requeriría que a la composición de biosólidos (utilizada en este ensayo) se le adicione Potasio, Calcio y Magnesio en las cantidades requeridas por cada uno de los cultivos. ABSTRACT The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of residual sewage sludge obtained from the residual water of a treatment plant conditioned as Biosolid used on three reliable agricultural crops. The effect of the added sewage sludge was evaluated through the measurement of production variables such as crop plant development and the comparison of the soil characteristics used before and after the experimental tests. This investigation confirmed that biosolids from wastewater treatment can contribute to the growth of these crops. In this experimental approach, optimized sludge was applied to three short-cycle crops including two low-risk crops (watermelon and tomato) and one high-risk crop (rice) all grown on dry land. In the first phase of work, the characteristics of the sludge were assessed using chemical, physical and microbiological tests. The concentrations of metals were determined by atomic emission spectrometry inductively coupled plasma, (ICP-AES). Microbiological characterization was performed measuring total coliform and fecal count using the most probable number technique (NMP) and microbiological pathogens were identified using Kornacki & Johnson (2001) method based on two processes: presumptive and confirmatory tests. Both the results for the determination of metals and potentially toxic elements, as testing for the determination of potentially dangerous microorganisms were below the limits established by the applicable standard in Panama (Technical Regulate COPANIT 47-2000). After the metal and bacterial characterization of the sludge, the presence of macro or micronutrients in biosolids was measured to evaluate its potential for use as fertilizer in the growth of agricultural crops. The sludge was dehydrated via a drying process into a muddy slurry. The pulp slurry was transported to the field trial area to continue the process of drying and grinding. Three randomized experimental trials were designed to test with five treatment regimens and four replications for each of the crops: watermelon, tomato, rice. The five treatment regimens evaluated were three different doses of bio solid with commercial fertilizer treatment control and no fertilizer treatment control. Treatment areas for the watermelon and tomato were 10m2 plots land and for rice was 20m2. The amount of commercial fertilizer used to treat each crop was based on the amount recommended by Agricultural Research Institute of Panama. The experimental trials considered initial characterization of soil, soil preparation, seed, and crop topographical arrangement following agronomic crop management recommendations. For the tests evaluating the growth of watermelons and tomatoes and drip irrigation system was installed. The amount of humic acids present in the culture were determined and developmental variable of each crop were studied (fruiting crop harvest weight, size dimensions and color of the fruit, performance and cost effectiveness). Changes in macro and micronutrients and changes in pH, soil texture and OM available were measured at the beginning and end of each field trial. All variables and covariates were analyzed using INFOSAT statistical program (software for statistical analysis of general application) by analysis of variance, multiple comparisons method as proposed by Fisher (LSD Fisher) to compare the means of cultivars and the Pearson ratio that allows us to analyze if there is a linear association between two variables. In evaluating the contribution of biosolids to agricultural crops, the study determined that the macronutrients N & P were within the requirements of crops, but K levels were below the requirements of crops. In terms of traditional chemical fertilizer fertilization, we observed that the recommended dose for each study crop was overestimated for the three major nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Higher concentrations containing N, P and K to the theoretically required by the crop. The recommended dose of commercial fertilizer for crops study contained greater amounts of phosphorus, crops that need. The level of phosphorous was found to be18 times greater than was required for the cultivation of watermelon; 12 times higher than required for tomato, and 34 times higher than required for rice cultivation. Phosphorus inputs of commercial fertilizer were a primary influence on the weight and performance of each crop. Unlike biosolids had a direct influence on crop development (germination, color, size, length, diameter, flowering and disease resistance). In the case of growth of watermelons, the Biosolid dose closest to the optimum for cultivation was applied the highest dose in this assay (97.2 grams of bio solids per plant). In the case of tomatoes, commercial fertilizer had the best values but the differences were minimal when compared to treatment T1, the lower dose of sewage sludge (Biosolid 16.2 grams per plant). The overall results for the tomato crop yield of the trial were lower than expected. Additionally, the application of biosolids treatment contributed to the development of fruit of variable size, color and disease resistance in the tomato crops. Similar to the tomato crop, commercial fertilizer treatment provided the best results for the rice crop. The final results of weight and crop yield for rice indicated that treatment with T2 amount of biosolids (34.2 grams per plot) was not significantly different from the result obtained in the application plot given commercial fertilizer (T1). The T4 (higher dose of bio solid) treatment had the best values for the germination, tillering and bolting variables of the rice crop but for fruit ripening yielded lower results. In all three trials, biosolids demonstrated the ability to contribute in the vegetative growth of crops. It was also found in all test no significant differences (p>0.05) between treatment of bio solid and commercial fertilizer. Biosolids provided nutrients to the crops and even at the end of the trial remained available in the ground soil, contributing to the improvement of the final ground. The best results from these three trials is that the use of bio solids such as those used in this assay would require the addition of potassium, calcium and magnesium in quantities required for each crop.

Avaliação in vivo e in vitro de diferentes protocolos no tratamento da hipersensibilidade dentinária cervical

Este estudo possui duas partes distintas: 1. in vivo (randomizado e longitudinal) que teve como objetivo avaliar protocolos de tratamento para hipersensibilidade dentinária com laser de baixa potência (com diferentes dosagens), laser de alta potência e agente dessensibilizante, por um período de 12 e 18 meses; e 2. in vitro que teve como objetivo analisar a perda de estrutura de dois dentifrícios distintos (Colgate Total 12 e Colgate Pró Alívio) e analisar a permeabilidade dentinária dos tratamentos da etapa 01, associados aos dentifrícios, após diferentes ciclos de abrasão. Na parte in vivo, as lesões cervicais não cariosas de 32 voluntários, previamente submetidos aos critérios de elegibilidade ou exclusão, foram divididas em nove grupos (n=10): G1: Gluma Desensitizer (Heraeus Kulzer), G2: Laser de baixa potência com baixa dosagem (Photon Lase, DMC) (três pontos de irradiação vestibulares e um ponto apical: 30 mW, 10 J/cm2, 9 seg por ponto com o comprimento de onda de 810nm). Foram realizadas três sessões com um intervalo de 72 horas), G3: Laser de baixa potência com alta dosagem (um ponto cervical e um ponto apical: 100 mW, 90 J/cm2, 11 seg por ponto com o comprimento de onda de 810nm. Foram realizadas três sessões com um intervalo de 72 horas), G4: Laser de baixa potência com baixa dosagem + Gluma Desensitizer, G5: Laser de baixa potência com alta dosagem + Gluma Desensitizer, G6: Laser de Nd:YAG (Power LaserTM ST6, Lares Research®), em contato com a superfície dental: 1,0W, 10 Hz e 100 mJ, ? 85 J/cm2, com o comprimento de onda de 1064nm, G7: Laser de Nd:YAG + Gluma Desensitizer, G8: Laser de Nd:YAG + Laser de baixa potência com baixa dosagem, G9: Laser de Nd:YAG + Laser de baixa potência com alta dosagem. O nível de sensibilidade de cada voluntário foi avaliado através da escala visual analógica de dor (VAS) com auxílio do ar da seringa tríplice e exploração com sonda após 12 e 18 meses do tratamento. Na parte 02, in vitro, foram utilizados terceiros molares humanos não irrompidos e recém-extraídos. Todos foram limpos e tiveram suas raízes separadas das coroas. As raízes foram seccionadas em quadrados de dentina com dimensões de 4x4x2 mm, os quais foram embutidos em resina Epoxi e devidamente polidos até uma curvatura de 0,3 ?m, analisados em perfilometria ótica. Estes foram imersos em solução de EDTA 17% por 2min para abertura dos túbulos e armazenados em uma solução de Soro Fetal Bovino diluído em salina tamponada com fosfato. Os espécimes foram divididos aleatoriamente em 12 grupos (n=10) G1: Sem tratamento de superfície, sem dentifrício; G2: Nd:YAG/sem dentifrício; G3: Gluma/sem dentifrício; G4: Nd:YAG + Gluma/sem dentifrício; G5: Sem tratamento de superfície/Colgate Total 12; G6: Nd:YAG/Colgate Total 12; G7: Gluma/Colgate Total 12; G8: Nd:YAG + Gluma/Colgate Total 12; G9: Sem tratamento de superfície/Colgate Pró Alívio; G10: Nd:YAG/Colgate Pró Alívio; G11: Gluma/Colgate Pró Alívio; G12: Nd:YAG + Gluma/Colgate Pró Alívio. Em seguida, as superfícies receberam a aplicação de fitas adesivas nas duas margens, mantendo uma área central de teste exposta de 4 x 1 mm, onde foram realizados os tratamentos de superfície e os ciclos de abrasão correspondentes a 1, 7, 30 e 90 dias de escovação (52 ciclos, 210 segundos de contato com o slurry; 361 ciclos, 1470 segundos de contato com o slurry; 1545 ciclos, 6300 segundos de contato com o slurry; 4635 ciclos, 18900 segundos de contato com o slurry, respectivamente). A cada etapa de abrasão, foi realizada análise em Perfilometria Ótica. Para as analises de permeabilidade e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura, foram utilizadas amostras circulares de 6 mm de diâmetro e 1 mm de espessura de dentina obtidas das coroas dentais. Estas foram divididas aleatoriamente nos mesmos grupos já descritos anteriormente, sendo que 120 espécimes foram utilizados para permeabilidade (n=10) e 36 para MEV (n=3). Ambas as análises foram realizadas após imersão no EDTA; após tratamentos para a sensibilidade; pós 1 dia, 7 dias, 30 dias e 90 dias de escovação. Após análise estatística pode-se concluir que, in vivo, todos os tratamentos foram eficazes para a redução da hipersensibilidade dentinária. Ainda que o nível da sensibilidade dos pacientes aumentou numericamente, estes não são considerados estatisticamente diferentes a partir de 12 meses. Portanto, até a avaliação de 18 meses, podemos concluir que não houve um aumento na sensibilidade dentinária desde a sua diminuição pós-tratamento. In vitro, pode-se concluir que todos os tratamentos foram capazes de diminuir a permeabilidade dentinária. O dentifrício Total 12 apresentou-se como o mais abrasivo em comparação com o dentifrício Pro Alivio, pois este último promoveu uma perda de estrutura menor, porém ambos não apresentaram aumento na permeabilidade nos tempos de escovação. As microscopias eletrônicas de varredura mostram a formação da smear layer, obliterando os túbulos para ambos os dentifricios. Como conclusão, pode-se afirmar que todos os agentes dessensibilizantes foram efetivos, mesmo apresentando estratégias de ação diferentes. Os dentifrícios são igualmente interessantes para o uso caseiro por ocasionarem oclusão tubular e a associação de tratamentos (caseiro e de consultório) parece ser uma alternativa eficaz no tratamento da hipersensibilidade dentinária.

Medidas de dispersão de gás em células mecânicas industriais e seus condicionantes.

A qualidade da dispersão de gás em células de flotação é comumente caracterizada através de parâmetros como velocidade superficial do gás (Jg), hold-up do gás (?g), distribuição de tamanho de bolha (db ou D3,2) e fluxo de superfície de bolha (Sb). Sendo um processo de separação de minerais que é dependente da interação (colisão + adesão) entre partículas hidrofóbicas e bolhas de ar, a flotação tem seu desempenho dependente de uma dispersão de gás apropriada na polpa de minério. Desta forma, este trabalho objetivou caracterizar o estado da dispersão de gás de duas células em um banco composto por quatro células Wemco de 42,5 m³ (subaeradas), operando em série na usina da Vale Fertilizantes (Cajati-SP). Realizaram-se três campanhas de medidas que foram conduzidas sob diferentes condições operacionais: a) Diâmetro do rotor (D) de 1,09 m e rotação (N) entre 145 RPM e 175 RPM; b) D = 0,99 m e N entre 110 RPM e 190 RPM; c) D = 0,99 m e N de 120 RPM e de 130 RPM. Observaram-se os seguintes valores de dispersão de gás: 0,7 <= Jg <= 5,4 cm/s, 7 <= ?g <= 15%, 1,6 <= D3,2 <= 2,4 mm e Sb na faixa de 24 a 162 s-1. A magnitude de Jg medida na 1ª e 2ª campanhas mostrou-se acima dos valores reportados pela literatura, indicando necessidade de modificação de condições operacionais dos equipamentos, assim como cuidadosa manutenção. Posteriormente, a 3ª campanha indicou maior conformidade dos parâmetros de dispersão de gás em relação à literatura, constatando-se uma considerável melhora de desempenho do processo de flotação.

Abrasão-corrosão em corpos moedores na moagem de minério de ferro.

O desgaste de corpos moedores constitui um custo importante na indústria mineral, que depende da operação de cominuição para promover a liberação das espécies minerais e produzir concentrados. Embora se conheça alguns dos mecanismos individuais que afetam o desgaste, a interação entre eles num sistema tão complexo quanto um moinho ainda precisa ser melhor entendido. Este trabalho avaliou o efeito da corrosão no desgaste de bolas de aço e de ferro fundido branco de alto cromo durante a moagem de minério de ferro, através de ensaios eletroquímicos e de desgaste em moinho de laboratório. Foi feita uma alteração no modo tradicional de realização do ensaio de polarização potenciodinâmica, utilizando polpa de minério de ferro a 70% de sólidos (em peso) como eletrólito. As curvas de polarização obtidas foram compatíveis com os resultados de desgaste, de modo que as curvas correspondentes aos metais na condição mais ativa estavam associadas às menores taxas de desgaste nos ensaios de moagem em laboratório, demonstrando que os ensaios de polarização realizados podem ser utilizados como indicativo do comportamento do metal na moagem de minério de ferro. Sobretudo, os testes demonstraram que o desgaste das bolas de aço é devido, principalmente, à abrasão, já que uma pequena diferença, de apenas 8%, foi observada nas taxas de desgaste nas condições avaliadas (polpa no pH 5 e pH 8). Por outro lado, as bolas de ferro fundido branco de alto cromo, que são mais caras, são mais propensas a resistir ao desgaste em polpa ácida, em que a taxa de desgaste foi 40% menor que a determinada em pH 8.

Reaproveitamento de lamas residuais do processo de fabricação do concreto.

Nos dias atuais, um dos maiores problemas de uma central dosadora de concreto são as sobras de resíduos de concretos que retornam nos caminhões, das obras gerando lamas decantadas com pH elevado caracterizando-a como resíduo perigoso e representando gastos elevados com destinação. O objetivo do presente trabalho visa estudar em detalhes a composição da lama residual do processo de fabricação do concreto excluindo o agregado graúdo, verificando qual é a influência de sua adição no concreto. Com isso, pretende-se estudar algumas formas de tratamento e viabilizar economicamente o seu reaproveitamento em substituição ao agregado miúdo. Para esse estudo foram coletadas duas amostras desse material cimentício, sendo uma coletada diretamente do tanque de decantação e a segunda coletada da própria lavagem dos caminhões betoneiras. Elas foram submetidas a ensaios de caracterização como: análise termogravimétrica (TG), granulometria a laser e calorimetria e ensaios de concreto fresco (reologia e abatimento) e concreto endurecido. Para a viabilização econômica foi realizado um estudo de caso em três centrais dosadoras de concreto, afim de identificar perdas de materiais, custos de destinação e custo variável na fabricação de concreto. Os resultados mostraram que a forma de coleta do material cimentício influencia na finura do material conforme ensaio de granulometria e densidade aparente, mas não foi possível obter cimento anidro. A possibilidade de utilização da lama em concretos foi possível com ajuda de aditivos superplastificantes, mas para a viabilização economicamente viável a cadeia produtiva do concreto estudou-se um teor ótimo de substituição da lama pelo agregado miúdo.

Washcoated Pd/Al2O3 monoliths for the liquid phase hydrodechlorination of dioxins

The catalytic activity and durability of 2 wt.% Pd/Al2O3 in powder and washcoated on cordierite monoliths were examined for the liquid phase hydrodechlorination (LPHDC) of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), also known as dioxins. NaOH was employed as a neutralizing agent, and 2-propanol was used as a hydrogen donor and a solvent. Fresh and spent powder and monolith samples were characterized by elemental analysis, surface area, hydrogen chemisorption, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), and transmission electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM/EDX). Three reactor configurations were compared including the slurry and monolith batch reactors as well as the bubble loop column resulting in 100, 70, and 72% sample toxicity reduction, respectively, after 5 h of reaction. However, the slurry and monolith batch reactors lead to catalyst sample loss via a filtration process (slurry) and washcoat erosion (monolith batch), as well as rapid deactivation of the powder catalyst samples. The monolith employed in the bubble loop column remained stable and active after four reaction runs. Three preemptive regeneration methods were evaluated on spent monolith catalyst including 2-propanol washing, oxidation/reduction, and reduction. All three procedures reactivated the spent catalyst samples, but the combustion methods proved to be more efficient at eliminating the more stable poisons.

Using new scanning electron microscopy (SEM) approaches to elucidate bacterial biofilm architecture

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a major public health problem being Klebsiella pneumoniae and nontuberculous mycobacteria, both with high antibiotic resistance rates, among their etiological agent. Since biofilme assembly is pointed as one of the mechanisms involved in emergence of antibiotic resistance understanding bacteria organization within the biofilm and the identification of differences between planktonic and sessile forms of bacteria will be a step forward to fight HAI. In the present work we used SEM as a tool to characterize the internal structure of biofilm assembled on different surfaces. For SEM analysis, biofilms were allowed to form either on six-well cell culture plates, silicon or metallic disks placed inside the wells for different incubation periods at 37 °C. The biofilm assembled on the cell culture dish was for both secondary and backscattered electron analysis as described before. Biofilms assembled on silicon disks instead of being sectioned were prepared as metallographic samples, by grinding with grit SIC paper and polishing with diamond particles. Samples were cleaned (70% ethanol), dried with hot air, further coated and analysed. A preliminary study using FIB-SEM has been performed to access the ultrastructure of biofilms assembled on metallic surfaces. The results obtained showed that the same bacteria assembled biofilms with different ratios of biomass and extracellular matrix depending on the surface. SEM performed on thin sections of biofilms is a powerful tool to elucidate biofilm structure allowing the quantification of the major components. FIB-SEM is also a promising tool in this field.

Degradation of [14C]GlcDGD in the marine sediment by monitoring radioactivity in the aqueous and gas phase using liquid scintillation counting (LSC) techniques

An experiment was conceived in which we monitored degradation of GlcDGD. Independent of the fate of the [14C]glucosyl headgroup after hydrolysis from the glycerol backbone, the 14C enters the aqueous or gas phase whereas the intact lipid is insoluble and remains in the sediment phase. Total degradation of GlcDGD then is obtained by combining the increase of radioactivity in the aqueous and gaseous phases. We chose two different sediment to perform this experiment. One is from microbially actie surface sediment sampled in February 2010 from the upper tidal flat of the German Wadden Sea near Wremen (53° 38' 0N, 8° 29' 30E). The other one is deep subsurface sediments recovered from northern Cascadia Margin during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 311 [site U1326, 138.2 meters below seafloor (mbsf), in situ temperature 20 °C, water depth 1,828 m. We performed both alive and killed control experiments for comparison. Surface and subsurface sediment slurry were incubated in the dark at in situ temperature, 4 °C and 20 °C for 300 d, respectively. The sterilized slurry was stored at 20 °C. All incubations were carried out under N2 headspace to ensure anaerobic conditions. The sampling frequency was high during the first half-month, i.e., after 1, 2, 7, and 14 d; thereafter, the sediment slurry was sampled every 2 months. At each time point, samples were taken in triplicate for radioactivity measurements. After 300 d of incubation, no significant changes of radioactivity in the aqueous phase were detected. This may be the result of either the rapid turnover of released [14C] glucose or the relatively high limit of detection caused by the slight solubility (equivalent to 2% of initial radioactivity) of GlcDGD in water. Therefore, total degradation of GlcDGD in the dataset was calculated by combining radioactivity of DIC, CH4, and CO2, leading to a minimum estimate.

The marble-workers' manual : designed for the use of marble-workers, builders and owners of houses /

Spine title: Marble worker.

Fatigue of tube-to-plate fillet welds and methods for their improvement /

"July 1997."

A dead woman's wish : a novel /

Translation of: Le voeu d'une morte.