Overview of the scientific production in the Pharmacy area in Brazil: profile and productivity of researchers granted with fellowships by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development

In Brazil, the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) distributes productivity fellowships in research (RS) as a recognition to individuals with outstanding productivity levels in their areas. The aim of this study is to evaluate the scientific production of the Brazilian Pharmacy area, one division of the Health Sciences Great Area of CNPq, considering the profile and productivity levels of RS fellows. The results showed that most of the 156 active RS fellows in 2015 were female, with doctorate completed in the Southeast region (mainly in University of São Paulo) and with research activities developed in the South and Southeast regions. Most of their work was published in journals classified as B1 and B2 Qualis in Pharmacy by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), with high prevalence of publications in local journals and/or specialized on medicinal plants. Besides, they featured much dependence on advising and productivity indexes related to the category and level of RS fellowship. The evolution of such data must be continually evaluated to determine the influence of CNPq productivity fellowships on performance and stratification of researchers in the Pharmacy area in Brazil.     

Oxygen reduction reaction on a Pt/carbon fuel cell catalyst in the presence of trace quantities of ammonium ions: An RRDE study

The effect of trace quantities of ammonia on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on carbon-supported platinum catalysts in perchloric acid solutions is assessed using rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) technique. The study demonstrates that ammonia has detrimental effects on ORR. The most significant effect takes place in the potential region above 0.7 V vs RHE. The effect is explained by the electrochemical oxidation of ammonia, which blocks Pt active sites and increases the formation of H₂O₂. This leads to losses in the disk currents and increments in the ring currents. The apparent losses in ORR currents may occur in two ways, namely, through the blocking of the active sites for ORR as well as by generating a small anodic current, which is believed to have a lower contribution. In addition, a detrimental effect of sodium cations in the potential range below 0.75 V vs RHE was demonstrated. This effect is most likely due to the co-adsorption of sodium cations and perchlorate anions on the Pt surface.     

Optimization of Lithium Extraction from Lepidolite by Roasting Using Sodium and Calcium Sulfates

The lithium extraction from a lepidolite concentrate using roasting, followed by water leaching, was studied. Several alternative additives were initially tested. The use of sodium and calcium sulfates as additives was evaluated in more detail. The influence of some process variables, namely the roasting time, roasting temperature and the additive/concentrate mass ratio, was studied applying a design of experiments. The lithium extraction was modelled and the fitted and validated model was used to optimize the process response. The increase in the additive/concentrate mass ratio, roasting time and temperature seems to result in solid state reactions and transformations that lead to phase, morphological and particle size distribution modifications, which were assessed by XRPD, SEM, and particle size analyses. In this process, lithium sodium sulfate formation constitutes a crucial step enabling the Li water leaching. High lithium extractions were estimated for several combinations of factors. At 850°C, lithium extractions over 90% are obtained when the roasting time is above 1.90 hour and the additive/concentrate mass ratios are over 0.77. An increase in the temperature to 875°C also leads to lithium extractions over 90% for a roasting time of 1 hour and an additive/concentrate mass ratio of 0.60.     

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.     

District Metered Areas Design Under Different Decision Makers’ Options: Cost Analysis

Water loss is a big challenge for water supply companies worldwide, and the Water Network Partitioning (WNP) is an excellent tool for water loss management–particularly in the current difficult economic and financial conditions. WNP is a recent research line and consists in dividing the water distribution network into smaller zones called District Metered Areas (DMAs) with one (or more, in exceptional cases) supply point, to reduce the network complexity and/or allow pressure management. Since there are several possible future scenarios, such as the water demand and/or the infrastructure degradation forecasts, which may have different impacts on the hydraulic behaviour, in this paper a computational application, based on an optimization model, is proposed to achieve a compromise between robustness required for the DMAs design (using a baseline scenario) and different decision makers’ options (using other scenarios with a lower “probability” of occurrence), to reduce the total cost. The objective function reflects the minimization of the squared deviations between the total cost of the DMAs design and the minimum cost for each scenario forecasted for the project plan, multiplied by the weight or “probability” of occurrence for each of the scenarios. The performance of the computational application is illustrated with a case study, and the results are encouraging.     

Hydroxyapatite deposition study through polymeric process on commercially pure Ti surfaces modified by laser beam irradiation

Many techniques have been used to coat metallic substrate with bioceramics. The aim of this study was to study the physical-chemical characteristics of polyvinylidene fluoride (α-PVDF)/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite coating, obtained by casting method, on commercially pure titanium (α-CP Ti) substrate surface modified by laser beam irradiation. The preparation of coating was done for mixing α-PVDF pellets shape dissolved in dimethylacetamide (DMA) with HA/DMA emulsion. The mixture was poured onto the α-CP Ti sample and left to dry in an oven. CP Ti plates were coated with α-PVDF/HA composite film, in proportions of 100/00 and 60/40 in weight, and characterized by particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffractometry, thickness measurement and contact angle. Uniform coating with a small thickness variation along the coated surface was successfully obtained.     

Phosphonic acid‐containing polysulfones as anticorrosive layers

As a part of research work to elaborate polymeric materials for metal corrosion protection, we have developed a new family of phosphonic acid‐containing polymers. The synthesis and the characterization of polysulfones bearing alkyl phosphonate ester side groups are first described. These polymers are synthesized by direct polycondensation of a phosphonate ester‐containing bisphenol by aromatic nucleophilic substitution. The physicochemical properties of the resulting polymers are described. Acidic hydrolysis of phosphonate esters results in the formation of phosphonic acid groups. A series of phosphonic acid‐containing polysulfones is therefore obtained and characterized. A preliminary evaluation of the anticorrosive properties of these polymers is described. In 0.25M Na₂SO₄ solution, the corrosion rate of a polymer‐coated mild steel sample is much lower than of the free metal substrate. These results suggest that phosphonic acid‐containing polysulfones might be interesting as anticorrosive coatings. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41890.     

Influence of Particle Size on Nonisothermal Crystallization in a Lithium Disilicate Glass

In this study, lithium disilicate (LS₂) glass samples with different particle sizes ranging from less than 105 to 850 μm were prepared. These specimens were inserted in a Pt‐Rh DSC crucible and heated to 850°C at different rates (? = 0.5–30 K/min) to identify their crystallization peaks. The activation energies for the overall crystallization (E) and the Avrami coefficient (n) were evaluated using different nonisothermal models. Specifically, n was evaluated using the Augis–Benett model and the Ozawa method, and E was evaluated using the Kissinger and Ligero methods. As expected, the coarse particles mainly crystallized in the volume, while surface crystallization was predominant in the samples with particle sizes of less than 350 μm. This result was confirmed through SEM analysis of the double stage heat‐treated samples. In contrast with previous studies, our results demonstrated that the activation energy decreased as the particle size increased. In addition, no clear correlation between the peak intensity (δT_p) and the particle size was observed.     

Oil‐spill cleanup: The influence of acetylated curaua fibers on the oil‐removal capability of magnetic composites

A magnetic resin based on cardanol, furfural, and curaua fibers was prepared and characterized. The material could be used in oil‐spill cleanup processes, because of its aromatic/aliphatic balance. The resin was prepared through bulk polycondensation of cardanol and furfural in the presence of curaua fibers and maghemite nanoparticles. Hydrophobicity of the curaua fibers was improved by acetylation, increasing the oil‐absorbing capability of the composites. The obtained magnetic composites were studied by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Degree of cure, magnetic force, and oil‐removal capability tests were also performed. The results show that the composites possess an elevated cure degree in addition to a considerable magnetic force. The materials exhibit a good oil removal capability in the presence of a magnetic field, which is improved by the use of acetylated curaua. In the best case, the composite filled with maghemite and curaua can remove 12 parts of oil from water. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41732.     

Comparison of methanol/hydrochloric,ferric chloride acid versus tribochemical silica coating for adhesion of resin cement to zirconium dioxide

This study compared air-abrasion and etching regimens on adhesion of resin luting agent to zirconium dioxide. Ceramic specimens (LAVA, 3 M ESPE) (N = 16) were embedded in acrylic resin and exposed surfaces were polished. The specimens were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 12, 3 specimens for each disc): SC: Air-borne particle abrasion (30 μm aluminum oxide particles coated with silica, CoJet, 3 M ESPE); MH: Heated chemical solution (Methanol-800 mL; 37% Hydrochloric Acid-200 mL; Ferric Chloride-2 g) at 100 °C for 30 min, MHP: Primer (Metal/Zirconia Primer, Ivoclar Vivadent) + MH, P: Primer only (Metal/Zirconia Primer). Cylindrical molds (internal diameter: 0.7 mm; height: 1.5 mm) were placed on each conditioned specimen, filled with resin cement (Multilink Automix) and photo-polymerized for 60 s. After 24 h, the molds were removed and the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for six months). Microshear test was performed in a Universal Testing Machine (1 mm/min). Failures types were classified as adhesive, mixed, or cohesive. In another set of specimens (n = 2 per group) contact angle measurements were recorded. Data were analyzed statistically using Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s tests (α = 0.05). The surface conditioning method significantly affected the mean bond strength (MPa) (p < 0.0001): SC(18.3 ± 0.3)^a < P(5.00 ± 0.07)^b < MHP(4.7 ± 0.08)^c < MH(0.84 ± 0.01)^c. While Group SC showed mainly adhesive (58%) and mixed (41.7%) failure types, groups MH, MHP, and P presented exclusively adhesive failures. SC, MHP, and P (29–32°) showed lower contact angle than MH (78.9°). Volume loss was the highest with MHP (9.92 μl) followed by SC (9.67 μl).