GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN: PROTAGONISTA OU COADJUVANTE NO BRASIL?

Questões ambientais passaram a ser introduzidas com maior frequência nos negócios empresariais. Quanto à cadeia de suprimentos, Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) surge como novo enfoque à responsabilidade das empresas com o meio ambiente. Este artigo objetiva analisar a difusão do conceito e das práticas de GSCM no cenário brasileiro. Para tanto, foram realizadas entrevistas com especialistas do tema cadeia de suprimentos na área de Administração no Brasil. Os resultados indicam que as razões para o lento desenvolvimento do conceito podem relacionar-se com características do mercado nacional, foco empresarial em aspectos internos, falta de legislação rígida e baixa pressão dos consumidores. Especialistas percebem, entretanto, boas perspectivas para o futuro das discussões da temática no País, em virtude da Política Nacional dos Resíduos Sólidos, de pressões do mercado internacional e da busca por certificação ambiental. Este estudo procurou fomentar novas discussões sobre GSCM no Brasil.

SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE ANALYSIS: A BRAZILIAN AUTOMOTIVE CASE

Supply chain (SC) resilience and flexibility are important research topics receiving growing attention. However, the academic literature needs empirical studies on SC resilience capable of investigating the inter-organizational components of flexibility along different tiers. Therefore, this paper analyzes the main lack of flexibilities in three Brazilian automotive SCs that limit their resilience and therefore their capacity to better support and meet the demand changes in the marketplace. A multi-tier case study approach is adopted. Research findings identify lack of flexibilities in different tiers that inhibit the SC resilience as well as manufacturing and SC flexibilities that build SC resilience. The findings also highlight that the same SC may have the flexibility to be resilient for one of its products but not for another product, what sheds new lights on the academic literature. Finally, flexible SCs should be designed to increase SC resilience to cope with mishaps as significant demand changes.

EVALUATING THE EFFICIENCY PROGRESS WITH TECHNOLOGY IN A SPANISH HOTEL CHAIN

ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes the changes in the total factor productivity index of a Spanish hotel chain in the period from 2007 to 2010 with the purpose of identifying efficiency patterns for the chain in a period of financial crisis. The data envelopment analysis (DEA) Malmquist productivity index was used to estimate productivity change in 38 hotels of the AC chain. Results reveal AC hotels' efficiency trends and, therefore, their competitiveness in the recession period; they also show the changes experienced in these hotels' total productivity and its components: technological and efficiency changes. Positive efficiency changes were due to positive technical efficiency rather than technological efficiency. The recession period certainly influenced the performance of AC Hotels, which focused on organizational changes rather than investing in technology.

Mixed-integer nonlinear approach for the optimal scheduling of a head-dependent hydro chain

This paper is on the problem of short-term hydro scheduling (STHS), particularly concerning a head-dependent hydro chain We propose a novel mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) approach, considering hydroelectric power generation as a nonlinear function of water discharge and of the head. As a new contribution to eat her studies, we model the on-off behavior of the hydro plants using integer variables, in order to avoid water discharges at forbidden areas Thus, an enhanced STHS is provided due to the more realistic modeling presented in this paper Our approach has been applied successfully to solve a test case based on one of the Portuguese cascaded hydro systems with a negligible computational time requirement.

The role of European "ro-ro" port terminals in the automotive supply chain management

The aim of this paper is concerned with the design and development of a functional framework for maritime mode integration in European automotive supply chain management when considering outbound distribution. Furthermore, it provides a readjustment of traditional concepts and terminology with findings that the role of ro-ro port terminals should be considered as decoupling points, poles and postponement platforms. Case studies examine relevant Western European ro-ro port terminals for cars and respective links to assembly/factories of vehicles localized in the hinterland and concludes that ro-ro port terminals reduce logistical friction and impedance, as well as promote space/time compression.

Estudos de absorção de CO2 com soluções aminadas

A absorção química de dióxido de carbono (CO2) através de soluções aquosas de aminas tem sido estudada nos últimos anos devido à preocupação ambiental face ao aquecimento global. Nestes estudos, foram tidos como principais objectivos a realização de ensaios preliminares de absorção e desabsorção de CO2 em soluções aquosas de aminas bem como a construção de uma instalação piloto para a mesma finalidade. Inicialmente, a nível laboratorial, procedeu-se à absorção de CO2 através de soluções aquosas de aminas. As aminas utilizadas nestes estudos foram a monoetanolamina (MEA), etilenodiamina (EDA), 1,6- hexanodiamina (HDA) e piperazina anidra (PZ). A absorção de CO2 através destas aminas foi realizada experimentalmente às condições normais de pressão e temperatura. A concentração das soluções aquosas foi de 20% em massa de cada amina. Foram também realizados estudos de regeneração das soluções aquosas de aminas saturadas de CO2 em banho de glicerina, para determinar as condições de regeneração. Para além disso, observou-se o estado físico das aminas no estado puro até saturação com CO2 para garantir a não ocorrência de danos a nível de entupimento numa posterior utilização na instalação piloto. Por fim, voltaram-se a repetir todos estes ensaios experimentais utilizando-se, em vez da água destilada, um solvente polar aprótico, dimetilsulfóxido (DMSO). Numa segunda fase destes estudos, a absorção de CO2 através de soluções aquosas de aminas foi investigada experimentalmente numa instalação piloto. O objectivo era utilizar nesta fase do estudo as mesmas aminas utilizadas nos ensaios preliminares mas uma vez que não se dispunha das quantidades necessárias de aminas e para a sua aquisição teria que se despender bastante tempo e dinheiro, utilizaram-se duas soluções aquosas de alcanolaminas. As alcanolaminas utilizadas no presente estudo foram a amina secundária dietanolamina (DEA) e a amina terciária N-metildietanolamina (MDEA), duas aminas amplamente utilizadas nas indústrias químicas e petroquímicas para a purificação dos gases de combustão. A absorção de CO2 através destas duas alcanolaminas foi realizada experimentalmente às condições normais de pressão e temperatura. As concentrações das soluções aquosas foram de (10, 20 e 30) % em massa de MDEA e de DEA. O processo de adição de cloreto de bário (BaCl2.2H2O) às alcanolaminas ajuda à formação de carbonato de bário, quando o CO2 passa através da solução de alcanolamina. A quantidade de carbonato de bário formado foi utilizado para determinar a solubilidade do CO2 (mol CO2/mol alcanolamina). O principal desafio na captura de CO2 dos gases de combustão é o de reduzir o consumo de energia necessária para a regeneração do solvente. Deste modo, foram também realizados estudos de regeneração das soluções de alcanolaminas saturadas, para determinar as condições de regeneração. Os resultados obtidos, a nível laboratorial, revelaram que uma amina secundária (PZ) e uma amina primária de cadeia longa (HDA) são mais favoráveis ao processo de absorção e regeneração de CO2. No entanto, e devido a essa mesma estrutura molecular, necessitam de maiores valores de temperaturas para desabsorver o CO2. Garantiu-se poder trabalhar com as quatro aminas no estado puro em estudos futuros, na instalação piloto, garantindo que não ocorrerão danos a nível de entupimento. Relativamente ao solvente utilizado concluiu-se que um solvente polar aprótico não é um solvente favorável para estes estudos. Os resultados obtidos, na instalação piloto, revelaram que a amina terciária, MDEA, consegue absorver maiores quantidades de CO2 do que a amina secundária, EDA, bem como é a mais fácil de regenerar com menor perda de capacidade de absorção do que a EDA.

Sequencing of a 9.9 kb segment on the right arm of yeast chromosome VII reveals four open reading frames, including PFK1, the gene coding for succinyl-CoA synthetase (beta-chain) and two ORFs sharing homology with ORFs of the yeast chromosome VIII

A 9.9 kb DNA fragment from the right arm of chromosome VII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been sequenced and analysed. The sequence contains four open reading frames (ORFs) longer than 100 amino acids. One gene, PFK1, has already been cloned and sequenced and the other one is the probable yeast gene coding for the beta-subunit of the succinyl-CoA synthetase. The two remaining ORFs share homology with the deduced amino acid sequence (and their physical arrangement is similar to that) of the YHR161c and YHR162w ORFs from chromosome VIII.

Sequencing of a 17.6 kb segment on the right arm of yeast chromosome VII reveals 12 ORFs, including CCT, ADE3 and TR-I genes, homologues of the yeast PMT and EF1G genes, of the human and bacterial electron-transferring flavoproteins (beta-chain) and of the Escherichia coli phosphoserine phosphohydrolase, and five new ORFs.

A 17.6 kb DNA fragment from the right arm of chromosome VII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been sequenced and analysed. The sequence contains twelve open reading frames (ORFs) longer than 100 amino acids. Three genes had already been cloned and sequenced: CCT, ADE3 and TR-I. Two ORFs are similar to other yeast genes: G7722 with the YAL023 (PMT2) and PMT1 genes, encoding two integral membrane proteins, and G7727 with the first half of the genes encoding elongation factors 1gamma, TEF3 and TEF4. Two other ORFs, G7742 and G7744, are most probably yeast orthologues of the human and Paracoccus denitrificans electron-transferring flavoproteins (beta chain) and of the Escherichia coli phosphoserine phosphohydrolase. The five remaining identified ORFs do not show detectable homology with other protein sequences deposited in data banks. The sequence has been deposited in the EMBL data library under Accession Number Z49133.

Avaliação dos modelos de Supply Chain : Lean, Agile e Leagile : uma abordagem empírica

Dissertação de Mestrado em Ciências Económicas e Empresariais.

The effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids intake during pregnancy on adiposity of healthy full-term offspring at birth

Objective - The adjusted effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) intake during pregnancy on adiposity at birth of healthy full-term appropriate-for-gestational age neonates was evaluated. Study Design - In a cross-sectional convenience sample of 100 mother and infant dyads, LCPUFA intake during pregnancy was assessed by food frequency questionnaire with nutrient intake calculated using Food Processor Plus. Linear regression models for neonatal body composition measurements, assessed by air displacement plethysmography and anthropometry, were adjusted for maternal LCPUFA intakes, energy and macronutrient intakes, prepregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain. Result - Positive associations between maternal docosahexaenoic acid intake and ponderal index in male offspring (β=0.165; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.031–0.299; P=0.017), and between n-6:n-3 LCPUFA ratio intake and fat mass (β=0.021; 95% CI: 0.002–0.041; P=0.034) and percentage of fat mass (β=0.636; 95% CI: 0.125–1.147; P=0.016) in female offspring were found. Conclusion - Using a reliable validated method to assess body composition, adjusted positive associations between maternal docosahexaenoic acid intake and birth size in male offspring and between n-6:n-3 LCPUFA ratio intake and adiposity in female offspring were found, suggesting that maternal LCPUFA intake strongly influences fetal body composition.

Dynamics of a backlash chain

This paper studies the dynamical properties of a system with distributed backlash and impact phenomena. This means that it is considered a chain of masses that interact with each other solely by means of backlash and impact phenomena. It is observed the emergence of non-linear phenomena resembling those encountered in the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam problem.

Geodynamics of the eastern sector of the Arrábida chain (W Portugal)

N.º4, p.263-267

Tetranuclear COPPER(II) complexes with macrocyclic and open-chain disiloxane ligands as catalyst precursors for hydrocarboxylation and oxidation of alkanes and 1-phenylethanol

Two new tetranuclear complexes [Cu-4(mu-O)(L-1)-Cl-4] and [Cu-4(mu(4)-O)(L-2)(2)Cl-4] (2), where H2L1 is a macrocyclic ligand resulting from [2+2] condensation of 2,6-diformy1-4-methylphanol (DFF) and 1,3-bis(aminopropy1)tetramethyldisiloxane, and HL2 is a 1:2 condensation product: of DFF with trimethylsilyl p-aminobenzoate, have been prepared. The structures of the products were established by Xray diffraction. The complexes have been characterised by FTIR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, ES1 mass-spectrometry and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The latter revealed that the letrftriuclear complexes can be descr bed as two ferromagnetically coupled dinuclear units, in which the two copper(II) ions interact antiferromacinetically. The ccimpi.iunds act as homogeneous catalyst precursors for a number of single-pot reactions, including (I) hydrocarbaxylation, with CO, H2O and K2S2O8, of a variety of linear and cyclic (n = 5-8) alkanes into the corresponding Cn+1 carboxylic acids, (ii) peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane, and (iii) solvent-free microwave-assisted oxidation of 1-phenyletha.nol.

On semigroups of endomorphisms of a chain with restricted range

Let X be a finite or infinite chain and let be the monoid of all endomorphisms of X. In this paper, we describe the largest regular subsemigroup of and Green's relations on. In fact, more generally, if Y is a nonempty subset of X and is the subsemigroup of of all elements with range contained in Y, we characterize the largest regular subsemigroup of and Green's relations on. Moreover for finite chains, we determine when two semigroups of the type are isomorphic and calculate their ranks.