Development of a continuous process for α-thio-β-chloroacrylamide synthesis with enhanced control of a cascade transformation

A continuous process strategy has been developed for the preparation of α-thio-β chloroacrylamides, a class of highly versatile synthetic intermediates. Flow platforms to generate the α-chloroamide and α-thioamide precursors were successfully adopted, progressing from the previously employed batch chemistry, and in both instances afford a readily scalable methodology. The implementation of the key α-thio-β-chloroacrylamide casade as a continuous flow reaction on a multi-gram scale is described, while the tuneable nature of the cascade, facilitated by continuous processing, is highlighted by selective generation of established intermediates and byproducts.

Double-trouble for respiratory control in Pompe disease

A commentary on ‘Hypoglossal neuropathology and respiratory activity in Pompe mice’, by Lee, K.-Z., Qiu, K., Sandhu, M. S., Elmullah, M. K., Falk, D. J., Lane, M. A., Reier, P. J., Byrne, B. J., and Fuller, D. D. (2011). Front. Physiol. 2:31. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2011.00031.

Sticking non-stick: surface and structure control of diamond-like carbon in plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition

This short review article explores the practical use of diamond-like carbon (DLC) produced by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). Using as an example issues relating to the DLC coating of a hand-held surgical device, we draw on previous works using atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tensiometry and electron paramagnetic resonance. Utilising data from these techniques, we examine the surface structure, substrate-film interface and thin film microstructure, such as sp2/sp3 ratio (graphitic/diamond-like bonding ratio) and sp2 clustering. We explore the variations in parameters describing these characteristics, and relate these to the final device properties such as friction, wear resistance, and diffusion barrier integrity. The material and device characteristics are linked to the initial plasma and substrate conditions.

From a traditionally open access fishery to modern restrictions: Portuguese anglers' perceptions about newly implemented recreational fishing regulations

Saltwater recreational fishing (SRF) in Portugal was for a long time an open-access activity, without restrictions of any kind. Restrictions to control the recreational harvest were first implemented in 2006 and were highly criticized by the angler community, for being highly restrictive and lacking scientific support. The present study aimed to obtain socio-economic data on the recreational shore anglers and gauge their perceptions about recreational fishing regulations and the newly implemented restrictions in Portugal. Roving creel surveys were conducted along the south and south-west coasts of Portugal, during pre and post regulation periods (2006-2007). A total of 1298 valid face-to-face interviews were conducted. Logit models were fitted to identify which characteristics influence anglers' perceptions about recreational fishing regulations. The majority of the interviewed anglers was aware and agreed with the existence of recreational fishing regulations. However, most were against the recreational fishing regulations currently in place. The logit models estimates revealed that Portuguese anglers with a higher level of formal education and income are more likely to agree with the existence of recreational fishing regulations. In contrast, anglers who perceive that more limitations and a better enforcement of commercial fishing would improve fishing in the area are less likely to agree with the existence of SRF regulations. The findings from this study will contribute to inform decision-makers about anglers' potential behaviour towards the new and future regulations. Although the existence of fishing regulations is a good starting point for effective management, the lack of acceptance and detailed knowledge of the regulations in place by fishers may result in lack of compliance, and ultimately hinder the success of recreational fishing regulations in Portugal. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Credit spreads and monetary policy in a small open economy: an analysis of the colombian economy

This paper estimates Bejarano and Charry (2014)’s small open economy with financial frictions model for the Colombian economy using Bayesian estimation techniques. Additionally, I compute the welfare gains of implementing an optimal response to credit spreads into an augmented Taylor rule. The main result is that a reaction to credit spreads does not imply significant welfare gains unless the economic disturbances increases its volatility, like the disruption implied by a financial crisis. Otherwise its impact over the macroeconomic variables is null.

Modelling and PI Control of an Irrigation Canal

The main goal of this paper is to expose and validate a methodology to design efficient automatic controllers for irrigation canals, based on the Saint-Venant model. This model-based methodology enables to design controllers at the design stage (when the canal is not already built). The methodology is applied on an experimental canal located in Portugal. First the full nonlinear PDE model is calibrated, using a single steady-state experiment. The model is then linearized around a functioning point, in order to design linear PI controllers. Two classical control strategies are tested (local upstream control and distant downstream control) and compared on the canal. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the model.

SCADA configuration and control modes implementation on an experimental water supply canal

In the last years, digital controllers became a very interesting alternative (low costs and higher accuracy) to the analogue or to hydrodynamic traditional controllers in water supply canal automation, in order to match water supply to water demands. This kind of hydraulic systems needs particular research for control applications because they are big scale systems, open and characterized by big delays and great inertia. This paper presents several digital control modes tested in an experimental canal that will be used as a research platform on the automatic canal control domain. The canal operation and their control modes selection are supervised by a SCADA system developed and configured for this particular canal.

SIG-TUR: UMA HERRAMIENTA PARA LA PLANIFICACIÓN, GESTIÓN Y CONTROL DE LOS DESTINOS TURISTICOS

El Sistema de Información Geográfica Aplicado al Turismo – SIG-Tur es una herramienta tecnológica que optimiza los estudios turísticos desarrollados por los planificadores del sector. En el estudio se buscó evidenciar el instrumento de planificación SIG-Tur, que dispone de funciones de registro, almacenamiento y manipulación de informaciones, además de considerar las dificultades enfrentadas al respecto de la representación de fenómenos espaciales que el turismo abarca. Para el estudio se adoptó la pesquisa bibliográfica, documental y exploratoria, a través del estudio de caso realizado en el Casco Histórico de Boa Vista/Roraima, unido al SIG-Tur, se puede demostrar la creación y administración del banco de dados de los subsistemas de recursos naturales, culturales y de facilidades turísticas; además de esto se constató la multifuncionalidad, la practicidad y el dinamismo de estos instrumentos de planificación. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo presentar los beneficios del SIG-Tur para la planificación del turismo sustentable en destinos turísticos. Sin embargo, esta herramienta tecnológica es innovadora e debe ser incorporada en los trabajos de los planificadores, a luz del desarrollo sustentable.

A second order control-volume finite-element least-squares strategy for simulating diffusion in strongly anisotropic media

An unstructured mesh �nite volume discretisation method for simulating di�usion in anisotropic media in two-dimensional space is discussed. This technique is considered as an extension of the fully implicit hybrid control-volume �nite-element method and it retains the local continuity of the ux at the control volume faces. A least squares function recon- struction technique together with a new ux decomposition strategy is used to obtain an accurate ux approximation at the control volume face, ensuring that the overall accuracy of the spatial discretisation maintains second order. This paper highlights that the new technique coincides with the traditional shape function technique when the correction term is neglected and that it signi�cantly increases the accuracy of the previous linear scheme on coarse meshes when applied to media that exhibit very strong to extreme anisotropy ratios. It is concluded that the method can be used on both regular and irregular meshes, and appears independent of the mesh quality.