Assessment of data-driven modeling strategies for water delivery canals

The aim of this paper is to develop models for experimental open-channel water delivery systems and assess the use of three data-driven modeling tools toward that end. Water delivery canals are nonlinear dynamical systems and thus should be modeled to meet given operational requirements while capturing all relevant dynamics, including transport delays. Typically, the derivation of first principle models for open-channel systems is based on the use of Saint-Venant equations for shallow water, which is a time-consuming task and demands for specific expertise. The present paper proposes and assesses the use of three data-driven modeling tools: artificial neural networks, composite local linear models and fuzzy systems. The canal from Hydraulics and Canal Control Nucleus (A parts per thousand vora University, Portugal) will be used as a benchmark: The models are identified using data collected from the experimental facility, and then their performances are assessed based on suitable validation criterion. The performance of all models is compared among each other and against the experimental data to show the effectiveness of such tools to capture all significant dynamics within the canal system and, therefore, provide accurate nonlinear models that can be used for simulation or control. The models are available upon request to the authors.

Desacyl-ghrelin does not influence insulin sensitivity

Acyl-ghrelin has been reported to increase food intake and adiposity and it is the best studied of the orexigenic gastrointestinal hormones. On the other hand, desacyl-ghrelin – DAG (the unacylated form of the hormone) has been reported as a potential player on carbohydrate metabolism. However, the potential impact of DAG on glucose homeostasis remains uncertain. In this study we aim to assess the association between DAG and insulin sensitivity.

Soil remediation time to achieve clean-up goals I: influence of soil water content

The current models are not simple enough to allow a quick estimation of the remediation time. This work reports the development of an easy and relatively rapid procedure for the forecasting of the remediation time using vapour extraction. Sandy soils contaminated with cyclohexane and prepared with different water contents were studied. The remediation times estimated through the mathematical fitting of experimental results were compared with those of real soils. The main objectives were: (i) to predict, through a simple mathematical fitting, the remediation time of soils with water contents different from those used in the experiments; (ii) to analyse the influence of soil water content on the: (ii1) remediation time; (ii2) remediation efficiency; and (ii3) distribution of contaminants in the different phases present into the soil matrix after the remediation process. For sandy soils with negligible contents of clay and natural organic matter, artificially contaminated with cyclohexane before vapour extraction, it was concluded that (i) if the soil water content belonged to the range considered in the experiments with the prepared soils, then the remediation time of real soils of similar characteristics could be successfully predicted, with relative differences not higher than 10%, through a simple mathematical fitting of experimental results; (ii) increasing soil water content from 0% to 6% had the following consequences: (ii1) increased remediation time (1.8–4.9 h, respectively); (ii2) decreased remediation efficiency (99–97%, respectively); and (ii3) decreased the amount of contaminant adsorbed onto the soil and in the non-aqueous liquid phase, thus increasing the amount of contaminant in the aqueous and gaseous phases.

Soil remediation time to achieve clean-up goals II: influence of natural organic matter and water contents

This work reports a relatively rapid procedure for the forecasting of the remediation time (RT) of sandy soils contaminated with cyclohexane using vapour extraction. The RT estimated through the mathematical fitting of experimental results was compared with that of real soils. The main objectives were: (i) to predict the RT of soils with natural organic matter (NOM) and water contents different from those used in experiments; and (ii) to analyse the time and efficiency of remediation, and the distribution of contaminants into the soil matrix after the remediation process, according to the soil contents of: (ii1) NOM; and (ii2) water. For sandy soils with negligible clay contents, artificially contaminated with cyclohexane before vapour extraction, it was concluded that: (i) if the NOM and water contents belonged to the range of the prepared soils, the RT of real soils could be predicted with relative differences not higher than 12%; (ii1) the increase of NOM content from 0% to 7.5% increased the RT (1.8–13 h) and decreased the remediation efficiency (RE) (99–90%) and (ii2) the increase of soil water content from 0% to 6% increased the RT (1.8–4.9 h) and decreased the RE (99–97%). NOM increases the monolayer capacity leading to a higher sorption into the solid phase. Increasing of soil water content reduces the mass transfer coefficient between phases. Concluding, NOM and water contents influence negatively the remediation process, turning it less efficient and more time consuming, and consequently more expensive.

Flavored waters: influence of ingredients on antioxidant capacity and terpenoid profile by HS-SPME/GC-MS

The antioxidant profiles of 39 water samples (29 flavored waters based on 10 natural waters) and 6 flavors used in their formulation (furnished by producers) were determined. Total phenol and flavonoid contents, reducing power, and DPPH radical scavenging activity were the optical techniques implemented and included in the referred profile. Flavor extracts were analyzed by HS-SPME/GC-MS to obtain the qualitative and quantitative profiles of the volatile fraction of essential oils. Results pointed out a higher reducing power (0.14 11.8 mg of gallic acid/L) and radical scavenging activity (0.29 211.5 mg Trolox/L) of flavored waters compared with the corresponding natural ones, an interesting fact concerning human health. Bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, were present in all samples (0.5 359 mg of gallic acid/L), whereas flavonoids were not present either in flavored waters or in flavors. The major components of flavor extracts were monoterpenes, such as citral, R-limonene, carveol, and R-terpineol.

Remediation efficiency of vapour extraction of sandy soils contaminated with cyclohexane: influence of air flow rate, water and natural organic matter content

Abstract This work reports the analysis of the efficiency and time of soil remediation using vapour extraction as well as provides comparison of results using both, prepared and real soils. The main objectives were: (i) to analyse the efficiency and time of remediation according to the water and natural organic matter content of the soil; and (ii) to assess if a previous study, performed using prepared soils, could help to preview the process viability in real conditions. For sandy soils with negligible clay content, artificially contaminated with cyclohexane before vapour extraction, it was concluded that (i) the increase of soil water content and mainly of natural organic matter content influenced negatively the remediation process, making it less efficient, more time consuming, and consequently more expensive; and (ii) a previous study using prepared soils of similar characteristics has proven helpful for previewing the process viability in real conditions.

Lendo e explorando histórias: a emergência do pensamento algébrico em crianças de 4 anos

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de mestre em Educação Matemática na Educação Pré-escolar e nos 1º e 2º Ciclos do Ensino Básico

Influence of crystallite size of nanophased hydroxyapatite on fibronectin and osteonectin adsorption and on MC3T3-E1 osteoblast adhesion and morphology

The characteristic topographical features (crystallite dimensions, surface morphology and roughness) of bioceramics may influence the adsorption of proteins relevant to bone regeneration. This work aims at analyzing the influence of two distinct nanophased hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramics, HA725 and HA1000 on fibronectin (FN) and osteonectin (ON) adsorption and MC3T3-E1 osteoblast adhesion and morphology. Both substrates were obtained using the same hydroxyapatite nanocrystals aggregates and applying the sintering temperatures of 725ºC and 1000ºC, respectively. The two proteins used in this work, FN as an adhesive glycoprotein and ON as a counter-adhesive protein, are known to be involved in the early stages of osteogenesis (cell adhesion, mobility and proliferation). The properties of the nanoHA substrates had an important role in the adsorption behavior of the two studied proteins and clearly affected the MC3T3- E1 morphology, distribution and metabolic activity. HA1000 surfaces presenting slightly larger grain size, higher root-mean-square roughness (Rq), lower surface area and porosity, allowed for higher amounts of both proteins adsorbed. These substrates also revealed increased number of exposed FN cell-binding domains as well as higher affinity for osteonectin. Regarding the osteoblast adhesion results, improved viability and cell number were found for HA1000 surfaces as compared to HA725 ones, independently of the presence or type of adsorbed protein. Therefore the osteoblast adhesion and metabolic activity seemed to be more sensitive to surfaces morphology and roughness than to the type of adsorbed proteins.

Por uma família participativa: estratégias e propostas de atividade para o envolvimento parental

Relatório da Prática Profissional Supervisionada Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar