ABSTRACT Geothermal energy is a renewable source that can assist in the thermal conditioning of constructed environments. The objective of this study was to analyze the heat transfer in a Red Latosol (Oxisol), in heat storage process, using two linear heat exchangers. The treatments were arranged in a 3 × 2 × 3 factorial scheme, corresponding to three temperature differentials between soil and water (5, 10 and 15 °C), two types of materials (PVC and copper) and three radial distances (10, 20 and 25 cm), with three replicates. Soil temperature variations were obtained continuously for a period of 12 hours using DS18B20 sensors. These variations were logarithmic as a function of heat transfer time and radial distance and linear as a function of the temperature differential between soil and water (θ). The temperature differential between soil and water was the main factor that influenced soil temperature variation, and the material employed was insignificant in this variation. The minimum distance between heat exchangers should be greater than 50 cm, and PVC pipes proved to be more attractive for use involving thermal exchange with the ground as they are more viable than copper and easier to implement.

RESUMO A energia geotérmica é uma fonte renovável que pode auxiliar no condicionamento térmico de ambientes construídos. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a transferência de calor em um Latossolo Vermelho (Oxisol), em processo de armazenamento de calor, utilizando dois trocadores de calor lineares. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema fatorial 3 × 2 × 3, correspondendo a três diferenciais de temperatura entre solo e água (5, 10 e 15 °C), dois tipos de materiais (PVC e cobre) e três distâncias radiais (10, 20 e 25 cm), com três repetições. As variações de temperatura do solo foram obtidas continuamente por um período de 12 horas usando sensores DS18B20. Essas variações foram logarítmicas em função do tempo de transferência de calor e da distância radial, e lineares em função do diferencial de temperatura entre o solo e a água (θ). O diferencial de temperatura entre o solo e a água foi o principal fator que influenciou na variação da temperatura do solo, sendo que o material empregado foi insignificante nessa variação. A distância mínima entre os trocadores de calor deve ser maior que 50 cm, e os tubos de PVC se mostraram mais atrativos para uso envolvendo troca térmica com o solo por serem mais viáveis que os de cobre e mais fáceis de serem executados.

Abstract This paper presents a compact and planar reconfigurable filtenna for application in Wireless systems. The filtenna is composed of a UWB circular antenna and a filter with two trapezoidal resonators. The filter is integrated on the antenna feed line and has a band-pass frequency response. The filtenna frequency response reconfiguration is achieved by changing the capacitance of a varactor diode, placed between filter resonators; the capacitance varies continuously from 1.32 pF to 4.09 pF according to an applied bias voltage. The varactor capacitance analog variation defines the filtenna frequency of operation, which can be varied from 2.2 GHz to 3.4 GHz with an average bandwidth of 200 MHz, while maintaining the radiation characteristics of the UWB antenna. Simulated and measured filtenna results are shown according to varactor diode bias, demonstrating multiband operation using a compact planar design.

Selecting a polymer depends on its characteristics, the properties of the drug and of the remaining ingredients in the formulation. The drug, when incorporated into a polymeric matrix, can show several advantages when compared with its conventional form. In this context, this work describes the preparation and characterization of polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) and its derivative particles loaded with benznidazole, as well as evaluates their trypanocidal activity. In this work, reactions to modify the PEG 4000 polymer and the subsequent incorporation of the benznidazole were made. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis confirmed the efficiency in modifying the PEG chains. The morphology of polymeric films was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and showed considerable changes on the film organization. The acetylation of PEG favored the stability of the system and an increase in the zeta potential from ?14.83 to ?25.54 mV was observed. Although encapsulation efficiency values between 30.14 and 39.48% were found, the enhanced benznidazole dissolution profile by microparticles enables the use of lower drug concentrations. This fact can be proven by the increased trypanocidal effect of benznidazole when encapsulated in BP3 microparticles. Finally, the high selectivity of the formulations for trypanocidal action guarantees their safety as an alternative for the treatment of the Chagas disease.

The insertion of functional groups in polymer compounds may facilitate their interaction with different drugs. PEG polymers are widely used for their low melting point, low toxicity, drug compatibility, and hydrophilicity. They are used as pharmaceutical excipients for the formulation of conventional or modified released drugs and are designed to be upgraded as drug-modulating controllers at specific sites in the body. Indomethacin has been used in the controlled release of drugs because it is a drug that have good interaction with different polymers. The drug is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondylitis, and other disorders. In this work, PEG 4000 had its chain modified by organic reactions and their derivatives were emulsified to form microparticles using polyvinyl alcohol as an emulsifier. Posteriorly were also incorporated with indomethacin. The samples were characterized to prove the influence of indomethacin on the morphology and thermal behavior of this polymer. The controlled release was performed in the time from 0 to 240 min using the Ultraviolet Spectroscopy to quantify indomethacin released from the polymer matrix for these 4 hours. Releases over the time were satisfactory as concentrations increased over time, which we can conclude that the structural modification of PEG 4000 was beneficial in the release of the indomethacin drug.

Resumo Diversos fatores influenciam a estabilidade das estruturas de concreto, como a altura das edificações, a rigidez dos elementos estruturais componentes, o sistema de contraventamento, a rigidez das ligações viga-pilar entre outros. A estabilidade global das estruturas é avaliada segundo a NBR 6118/2014 pelos parâmetros α e γz. Este trabalho objetiva avaliar a estabilidade global de estruturas de concreto considerando a influência da excentricidade na ligação viga-pilar parede. Com o auxílio dos softwares Abaqus© e TQS© foram analisados modelos reticulados, avaliando-se a contribuição da excentricidade da ligação viga-pilar parede para a estabilidade global e para rigidez da ligação. Os modelos foram analisados sem a consideração da não linearidade geométrica. Nos modelos de pórtico foram avaliados os parâmetros de estabilidade da NBR 6118/2014, assim como, os critérios de flexibilização da ligação do pórtico do TQS©, LEPMOL e REDMOL. Os resultados das análises de deslocamentos indicaram um crescimento de 26,45%, comparando-se a ligação centrada com a mais excêntrica.

Abstract Several factors influence the stability of concrete structures, such as building height, structural components’ rigidity, bracing system, beam-wall connection rigidity, among others. Global structural stability is evaluated according to NBR 6118/2014 by the α e γz parameters. This article aims to evaluate the global structural stability concrete structures considering the eccentricity of the beam-wall connections. With the aid of software Abaqus© and TQS©, reticulated models were analyzed to evaluate the contribution of the eccentricity of the beam-wall connections on the global stability and the rigidity of the connections. The geometric nonlinear effects were disregarded in these analyses. The stability parameters from NBR6118/2014 were evaluated in the frame models, as well as the flexibilization criteria from the TQS© software, LEPMOL e REDMOL. The results of the displacement analysis show an increase of 26.45%, comparing the centered connection to the more eccentric connection.

Este estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar o comportamento de vigas de concreto autoadensável (CAA) reforçado com fibras de aço submetidas à flexão. Para tal, foram utilizadas fibras de aço com fator l/d = 50, em uma fração volumétrica de 1%. Foram confeccionadas vigas armadas de dimensões (12,5 x 23,5 x 132) cm, as quais foram ensaiadas por flexão a quatro pontos, aos 28 dias de idade, sendo feitas medições das deformações apresentadas nos estribos e armadura longitudinal, além de medições das deformações do concreto na região comprimida e das flechas no meio do vão. Os resultados dos ensaios mostraram que a adição das fibras de aço ao CAA promoveu sensível ganho na capacidade resistente da viga, com menores flechas, menores deformações das armaduras, longitudinal e transversal, e melhorado controle da fissuração, em comparação às demais vigas produzidas com concretos convencionais, com e sem fibras de aço.

This study was carried out to investigate the behavior of self-compacting concrete beams reinforced with steel fibers subjected to the bending. For such, steel fibers with a ratio l/d of 50, in a volume fraction of 1% were used. Reinforced concrete beams with dimensions of 12,5 x 23,5 x 132 cm were in four-point bending, at 28 days of age. During the test were taken strain measurements in the stirrups and the longitudinal reinforcement bars, besides measurements of the strain in the compressed region of concrete and of deflections at mid-span. The data collected showed that the addition of steel fibers in self-compacting concrete (SCC) promotes a notable increase in the beam’s resistant capacity, resulting in lower deflections at mid-span, lower deformations of the reinforcement bars, both transversal as longitudinal, and improved cracking control, compared to control beams produced with conventional concrete, with or without steel fibers.

Devido ao recente Programa de Produção de Biocombustíveis do Brasil, o interesse comercial tem crescido em relação à produção de pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas L.). Informações sobre esta cultura ainda são escassas, o que remete a necessidade de mais pesquisas que possam estabelecer condições de adaptabilidade desta cultura em diferentes condições. Neste contexto, realizou-se um experimento para estudar o crescimento e a qualidade das mudas de pinhão-manso, produzidas em ambiente protegido; as mudas foram monitoradas até o momento de serem transplantadas para o campo. Foi analisada a influência dos tipos e volumes de recipientes, juntamente com diferentes substratos e formas de adubação; o consumo de água também foi analisado durante o experimento. De acordo com os resultados, as melhores taxas de crescimento e qualidade de mudas até a condição de transplantio, foram obtidas com a combinação do substrato comercial, maior tubete e adubo de liberação lenta.

There has been an increasing interest in the commercial production of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) due to the recent Brazilian Program of Biofuel Production. Information on this crop is still scarce and more research is necessary to set the grounds of crop adaptability in different local conditions. An experiment was set up on this issue under greenhouse environment. Growth and quality of physic nut seedlings was monitored up to transplanting time. The influence of types and volumes of seedling containers was analysed along with different substrates and fertilization strategies. The water use was also detailed in the trial. Results showed the best achievements of growth rate and seedling quality, at appropriate transplanting time, were reached from the combination of the commercial substrate, largest containers and fertilizers of slow nutrient liberation.

O superfosfato simples (SS) é uma alternativa aos adubos fosfatados que são utilizados via fertirrigação, como o ácido fosfórico, que provoca acidificação do bulbo úmido no solo, e o monofosfato de amônio purificado, que apresenta maior preço. No entanto, não se conhece o efeito de tal adubo no funcionamento de emissores, principalmente nos gotejadores, nem se é possível controlar o entupimento por SS por meio de aplicações de ácido. Assim, desenvolveu-se este trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar a possibilidade da utilização do superfosfato simples via gotejamento, como alternativa ao uso de outros adubos fosfatados, e a tentativa de controle do entupimento utilizando ácido nítrico. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em bancada de ensaios de gotejadores, localizada no Laboratório de Hidráulica da ESALQ/USP. Foram aplicadas doses de 50; 75 e 100% da solubilidade do superfosfato simples (SS), em 26 tubogotejadores de diferentes marcas comerciais, e ao fim de 360 horas de irrigação, foi aplicado ácido nítrico com pH 2, na tentativa de desentupir os gotejadores mais sensíveis. Diante dos resultados, foi possível inferir que o uso do superfosfato simples pode ser feito via fertirrigação, e o ácido nítrico, aplicado segundo esta metodologia, não proporcionou a desobstrução dos emissores.

The super simple phosphate (SS) is an alternative to the phosphorous fertilizers which are used through fertigation, as the phosphoric acid, which triggers acidification of the wetted volume in the soil, and the monophosfato of purified ammonium, that has a higher price. However, the effect of such fertilizer in the emitters function, mainly in the drippers, is not known neither if it is possible to control the blockage for SS through acid applications. Thus, this study was developed in order to evaluate the possibility of the use of super simple phosphate trough drip irrigation, as an alternative to the use of other phosphorous fertilizers, and the attempt of controlling the blockage with nitric acid. The work was carried out in bench of drippers rehearsals, located at the Hydraulic laboratory in ESALQ-USP. Doses of 50; 75 and 100% of the super simple phosphate (SS) were applied in 26 emitter tubes with different commercial marks, and after 360 hours the nitric acid with a pH of 2 was applied, in the attempt of clearing the most sensitive drippers to the blockage. With the results it was possible to infer that: the use of super simple phosphate can be done by fertigation without causing damages to the system and the nitric acid, applied according to this methodology, did not provide the clearance of the emitters.

Um isolado do Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) causando sintomas de mosaico em plantas de cana-de-açúcar do clone RB925268 foi identificado no estado do Paraná. Gemas axilares extraídas de colmos infectados, medindo de 4 a 8 mm, foram utilizadas como explantes e regeneradas em plântulas em meio de cultura MS, suplementado ou não com o antiviral ribavirina, nas concentrações variando de 10-60 mg/L. O efeito fitotóxico da ribavirina foi constatado, resultando na morte dos explantes em concentrações iguais ou superiores a 30 mg/L. Após seis meses de aclimatação das plantas em estufa plástica, o vírus não foi detectado nas plantas provenientes do meio MS contendo ribavirina na concentração de 25 mg/L, confirmado através dos ensaios de inoculação mecânica em sorgo 'Rio' e de RT-PCR.

An isolate of Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) associated with mosaic symptoms in the RB925268 sugarcane clone was identified in Paraná state. Axilary buds of 4 to 8 mm used as explants were regenerated into plantlets using MS medium with and without ribavirin antiviral, at concentrations of 10 to 60 mg/L. Ribavirin was toxic to sugarcane at all concentrations, resulting in plant death at concentrations of 30 mg/L or higher. The complete elimination of SCMV was obtained in MS medium with 25 mg/L ribavirin concentration, confirmed by sap inoculation into Sorghum bicolor cv. Rio and by RT-PCR.

Muitas barreiras progradantes e alguns campos de dunas têm sido chamadas de planícies de cordões de praia ("beach ridge plains"), embora a sua gênese seja ainda discutível. O uso dos termos berma, cordão de praia e dunas frontais é também confuso na literatura, pois suas definições são muito variáveis e são comumente usados de uma maneira intercambiável. Portanto, a formação e definição de bermas de areia, cordões de praia e dunas frontais são brevemente revisadas. Os cordões de praia são redefinidos como depósitos integralmente formados por ondas e que são, na maioria das vezes, formados durante condições de alta energia de ondas e/ou níveis de água elevados (e.g. elevação do nível de água durante tempestades). Dunas frontais são formadas por deposição eólica de areia na vegetação de pós-praia. Alguns campos de dunas no Brasil têm sido chamados de planícies de cordões de praia, quando na verdade eles são planícies de dunas frontais, campos de dunas transgressivas, ou barreiras complexas (i.e. barreiras mostrando os dois tipos de dunas). Um destes campos de dunas ocorre na barreira holocênica existente entre Torres e Tramandaí no sul do Brasil. As características morfológicas desta barreira se apresentam na forma de largos, relativamente retilíneos e largamente espaçados (400-600m) cordões paralelos à linha de praia, na metade interna (no sentido do continente) da barreira, e na forma de menos espaçados (80-400m), com forma lobada e crescente, e mais discretos cordões na metade externa da barreira. Baixos e ondulados campos de dunas, lençóis de areia, dunas do tipo "nebkhas" e planícies de deflação ocorrem entre os cordões. A barreira é reinterpretada como uma barreira de dunas transgressivas progradante.

Many prograded barriers and some dunefields in theworld have been termed 'beach ridge' plains, but the actual genesis of the 'ridges' is often unknown. Use of the terms, berms, beach ridges and foredunes is also confusing in the literature because their definitions are highly variable and are commonly used interchangeably. Thus, the formation and definition of sand berms, beach ridges and foredunes is briefly reviewed. Beach ridges are re-defined as entirely wave formed deposits which are most commonly formed during high wave conditions and/or elevated water levels (e.g. storm surges). Foredunes are formed by aeolian sand deposition in vegetation on the backshore. Some dunefields in Brazil have been called beach ridge plains when they are, in fact, foredune plains, transgressive dunefields, or complex barriers (i.e. barriers comprising two types of dunes). The Holocene barrier extending from Torres to Tramandaí in southern Brazil has been regarded as a beach ridge plain. The landforms of this Holocene barrier comprise wide, relatively linear, widely spaced (400-600m), shore parallel ridges on the landward half, and more closely spaced (80-400m), lobate and crescentic, discrete ridges on the seaward half. Low, rolling dunefields, sand sheets, nebkha fields and deflation plains occur between the ridges. The barrier is re-interpreted as a prograded, transgressive dunefield barrier.