Paper‐Derived Bioactive Glass Tape

Porous bioactive glass (BaG) structures were manufactured applying novel preceramic paper process. Preceramic papers were produced for aqueous suspensions loaded with different contents of pulp fiber and BaG filler. Pressure loading was applied in order to increase the packing density in the paper sheets. The paper sheets were sintered at 630 °C for 1 h. The porous glass–ceramic specimens were characterized for density, porosity, composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties. A pronounced volumetric shrinkage was observed, but no surface flaws or inhomogeneous areas were detected. The mechanical strength using the ball on three balls test and elastic modulus of sintered specimens vary between 21 and 33 MPa and 0.30–0.85 GPa, respectively.     

Constructal design of underground heat sources or sinks for the annual cycle

Here we show that the heat transfer between a pipe assembly and the soil during the annual temperature cycle of a heat pump depends on the configuration of the flow system. We rely on constructal design to find the flow architecture (spacings, shapes) such that the heat transfer between the assembly and the ground is increased. The flow configuration changes freely, and its design is evolutionary. The better shapes change gradually from slender to square as the volume fraction occupied by the flow assembly increases. The heat transfer performance increases as the depth of the structure decreases, but the depth has a negligible effect on the shape of the structure. The results also show that the heat transfer performance increases as the configuration of the ground volume and the buried structure evolves to the most slender shape possible.     

Identifying organizational requirements for the implementation of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT)

AMT selection and adoption processes have been extensively studied. Topics that include financial and human factors, productivity, and coordination of the AMT implementation establish a substantial content of the present research agenda. The purpose of this paper is to study the organizational factors that influence the AMT implementation, considering a manufacturing strategy context and an analysis based on an organizational design framework. The research strategy is based on ‘empirical iterations’ using survey secondary data, experts’ interviews information and multiple case studies. The results show that there is a set of recommendations, which strongly influence the AMT implementation. Companies require a structured and integrative approach for the AMT implementation in order to take advantage of all their individual and systemic benefits. The set of proposed AMT recommendations for integrating these technologies to the organizational design are framed by structural, process and contextual aspects.     

An assessment of energy benefits of efficient household air-conditioners in Brazil

Increasing efficiency of electrical equipment is essential to national energy rationality, enabling energy consumption reduction and postponing inversion in distribution, transmission and generation, as well as mitigating environmental impacts associated with such activities. Considering such purposes, two actions have been promoted in Brazil: (a) minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) have been required for some appliances and (b) consumers have been informed about the most efficient products by ??endorsement labeling.?? The purpose of this study is to assess window and split air-conditioners with Brazilian MEPS. To evaluate the impact of efficient air-conditioners in this market, a model was developed based on estimates for quantity of equipment in operation and unitary consumption, as determined by local temperature records. From this model, it was deduced that using only efficient conditioners (class A for Brazilian Labeling Program/INMETRO, with PROCEL Label) an annual saving of 322?GWh and a reduction in demand of 109?MW could be obtained in 2007. Furthermore, it was observed that the current MEPS established by Brazilian legislation for air-conditioners may be considered relatively low. Considering that MEPS are similar to those observed in China (the main exporter of air-conditioners to the Brazil), an energy saving of roughly 222?GWh could be achieved in the same year. Impacts on emission of greenhouse gases are also estimated.     

Application of polysaccharide hydrogels in adsorption and controlled‐extended release of fertilizers processes

This article studied the applicability of poly(acrylamide) and methylcellulose (PAAm‐MC) hydrogels as potential delivery vehicle for the controlled‐extended release of ammonium sulfate (NH₄)₂SO₄ and potassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) fertilizers. PAAm‐MC hydrogels with different acrylamide (AAm) and MC concentrations were prepared by a free radical polymerization method. The adsorption and desorption kinetics of fertilizers were determined using conductivity measurements based on previously built analytical curve. The addition of MC in the PAAm chains increased the quantities of (NH₄)₂SO₄ and KH₂PO₄ loaded and extended the time and quantities of fertilizers released. Coherently, both loading and releasing processes were strongly influenced by hydrophilic properties of hydrogels (AAm/MC mass proportion). The best sorption (124.0 mg KH₂PO₄/g hydrogel and 58.0 mg (NH₄)₂SO₄/g hydrogel) and desorption (54.9 mg KH₂PO₄/g hydrogel and 49.5 mg (NH₄)₂SO₄/g hydrogel) properties were observed for 6.0% AAm–1.0% MC hydrogels (AAm/MC mass proportion equal 6), indicating that these hydrogels are potentially viable to be used in controlled‐extended release of fertilizers systems. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Porous shell/dense core structures prepared in tungsten phosphate glass through template-free route

The preparation of the 11.7Li₂O–39.7WO₃–10.9CaO–37.7P₂O₅ glass (pgLWCP) was based on a one-step heat treatment of the 6Li₂O–18WO₃–43CaO–33P₂O₅ (gLWCP) glass followed by leaching of the β-Ca₂P₂O₇ phase formed during the crystallization process. The porous structure was formed in the region formerly occupied by the β-Ca₂P₂O₇ phase. The gLWCP undergoes devitrification through surface crystallization. This process occurs after a thermal treatment in lower temperature and in a shorter period of time than that required for the complete crystallization. After acid leaching treatment, we obtained a core-/shell-like structure with a very well-defined dense glass (gLWCP)/porous glass (pgLWCP) interface. The pgLWCP exhibits reversible coloration–decoloration reactions.     

Stresses Analysis on a Rail Part

The EFVM （Vitoria Minas Railroad） is one of the main railways in Brazil. It transports freight trains of ore, 220 wagons each. These wagons have 2 boogies of 2 axles each and 32 metric tons on metre gauge. Elastic strains were measured on a special part of this railway due to these trains. The main load to evaluate stresses and strains was a G 16 Locomotive, a C-C kind from Vale, a Brazilian Company. The measurements were obtained by dynamic deflectometer installed on a main line of this railway, near Ipatinga, a city from Minas Gerais, one of Brazil states. This track was equipped to obtain stresses under an equal repeated static load A simulation of the stresses was made under critical strain by Ferrovia 1.0 software. It was also made an evaluation of unequal results from neighbor sleepers taking in comparison two equipped parts of this railway, one with compacted ballast and no compaction to the other. The results were strain limited, avoiding breakage or damage to the studied rails. This work analyses these measurements focusing on the improvement of track quality.     

Optimization of osmotic dehydration of yacon slices

Osmotic dehydration assisted by ultrasound (ODAU) at low temperatures reduces water activity (a_w) and maintains nutrients. The influence of solution concentration (SC; 20 to 60° Brix, xylitol and sorbitol) and ultrasound application time (t_us, 0 to 40 min) in ODAU of yacon was studied with the aid of a response surface method. The optimum condition with respect to mass transfer parameters, a_w, and fructan retention was SC of 60° Brix for both solutions and t_us of 2.67 min for xylitol samples and 0 min for sorbitol samples. The application of ultrasound improved dehydration but resulted in depolymerization of fructans.     

Metformin Reduces Lipogenesis Markers in Obese Mice Fed a Low-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Diet

Lipogenesis is the process by which fatty acids are synthesized. In metabolic syndrome, an insulin resistant state along with high plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and hyperglycemia may contribute to the lipogenic process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral administration of metformin on the expression of lipogenic genes and glycemic profile in mice fed with low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet by evaluating their metabolic profile. SWISS male mice were divided into 4 groups (N = 7) that were fed with standard (ST), standard plus metformin (ST + MET), low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet (LCHFD) and low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet plus metformin (LCHFD + MET) (100 mg kg^?1 diet) diets respectively. Food intake, body weight and blood parameters, such as glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, glucose, HDL‐c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, ASL and ALT levels were assessed. Histological analyses were performed on hematoxylin and eosin‐stained epididymal adipose tissue histological specimens. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPARγ), sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC), were assessed by RT‐PCR. This study showed that metformin decreased adipocyte area, body weight and food consumption in obese animals when compared to the standard group. Furthermore, the expression of lipogenic markers in adipose tissue were diminished in obese animals treated with metformin. This data showed that oral administration of metformin improved glucose and lipid metabolic parameters in white adipose tissue by reducing the expression of lipogenesis markers, suggesting an important clinical application of MET in treating obesity‐related diseases in metabolic syndrome.