[pt] Metal Organic Frameworks(MOFs) são compostos de coordenação que possuem íons ou clusters metálicos ligados a espécies orgânicas, formando uma rede porosa, cristalina e de elevada área superficial. Essas características despertaram interesse no desenvolvimento de materiais oriundos de MOFs e, possivelmente, utilizá-los como catalisadores na produção de combustíveis líquidos. Nesta pesquisa, a síntese do Co-MOF-71 foi realizada pelo método solvotérmico, misturando ácido tereftálico, obtido a partir da despolimerização por hidrólise alcalina do polietileno tereftalato (PET) reciclável, e nitrato de cobalto hexahidratado, em solução de N,N-dimetilformamida, etanol e água. Após reação a temperatura de 110, 130 e 150 graus C, o material foi caracterizado quanto a sua resistência térmica, através da análise termogravimétrica, a cristalinidade, na análise de difração de raios X, e, de forma qualitativa, a composição elementar, avaliada na análise de microscopia eletrônica de varredura com energia dispersiva. O planejamento de experimentos de Box-Behnken foi elaborado, variando-se três fatores (temperatura, concentração de ácido tereftálico e quantidade de cobalto), totalizando quinze reações. A Co-MOF-71 foi calcinada em atmosfera inerte de N2 a 500 graus C para gerar uma matriz carbônica contendo cobalto, da qual a área superficial específica foi medida por adsorção-dessorção de N2, aplicando-se o método de Brunauer-Emmett-Teller. Um modelo polinomial de segunda ordem foi aplicado, com sua respectiva análise de variância (ANOVA) e os efeitos das variáveis de entrada foram classificados, constatando que a temperatura não exerceu influência significativa na faixa aplicada. Em seguida, o modelo foi atualizado, atingindo coeficiente de determinação (R2) de 87,39 por cento, revelando o teor de ácido tereftálico como o efeito mais expressivo. Além disso, a superfície de resposta confirmou que o cenário de maior área superficial é alcançado ao adicionar excesso de ligante orgânico no sistema, consistente com o melhor resultado experimental (82 m2.g-1). / [en] MOFs (Metal-organic frameworks) are special compounds that can be an interesting alternative for heterogeneous catalysis, due their singularities like a porous and crystalline structure with high specific area. This work proposes an environmentally favorable production route of Co-MOF-71 derived material, starting with the depolymerization of PET from plastic waste to obtain terephthalic acid, which is the source of ligand BDC (1,4-benzenodicarboxylate). The synthesis of Co-MOF-71 was performed by solvothermal method and, optimizing the research, Box-Behnken design were developed with three independent variables: amount of terephthalic acid, cobalt content, and temperature. The samples were characterized by XRD, TGA, and SEM analysis before and after calcination at 500 degrees C. Finally, the specific surface area was measured by N2 adsorption-desorption, and a second-order polynomial model was suggested, with its respective analysis of variance (ANOVA), indicating that temperature has no significant influence in the applied range. Then, the model was updated, reaching the coefficient of determination (R2 ) of 87.39 percent and presenting the terephthalic acid content as the most relevant effect. Additionally, the response surface confirmed the scenario of higher surface area with excess BDC in the system, consistent with the best experimental result (82 m2 / g).

This research addresses the novel application of design of experiment, artificial neural net-works and logistic regression to study the effect of demographic characteristics on the risk of acquiring HIV infection among the antenatal clinic attendees in South Africa. The annual antenatal HIV survey is the only major national indicator for HIV prevalence in South Africa. This is a vital technique to understand the changes in the HIV epidemic over time. The annual antenatal clinic data contains the following demographic characteristics for each pregnant woman; age (herein called mother's age), partner's age (herein father's age), population group (race), level of education, gravidity (number of pregnancies), parity (number of children born), HIV and syphilis status. This project applied a screening design of experiment technique to rank the effects of individual demographic characteristics on the risk of acquiring an HIV infection. There are a various screening design techniques such as fractional or full factorial and Plackett-Burman designs. In this work, a two-level fractional factorial design was selected for the purposes of screening. In addition to screening designs, this project employed response surface methodologies (RSM) to estimate interaction and quadratic effects of demographic characteristics using a central composite face-centered and a Box-Behnken design. Furthermore, this research presents the novel application of multi-layer perceptron’s (MLP) neural networks to model the demographic characteristics of antenatal clinic attendees. A review report was produced to study the application of neural networks to modelling HIV/AIDS around the world. The latter report is important to enhance our understanding of the extent to which neural networks have been applied to study the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Finally, a binary logistic regression technique was employed to benchmark the results obtained by the design of experiments and neural networks methodologies. The two-level fractional factorial design demonstrated that HIV prevalence was highly sensitive to changes in the mother's age (15-55 years) and level of her education (Grades 0-13). The central composite face centered and Box-Behnken designs employed to study the individual and interaction effects of demographic characteristics on the spread of HIV in South Africa, demonstrated that HIV status of an antenatal clinic attendee was highly sensitive to changes in pregnant mother's age and her educational level. In addition, the interaction of the mother's age with other demographic characteristics was also found to be an important determinant of the risk of acquiring an HIV infection. Furthermore, the central composite face centered and Box-Behnken designs illustrated that, individual-ally the pregnant mother's parity and her partner's age had no marked effect on her HIV status. However, the pregnant woman’s parity and her male partner’s age did show marked effects on her HIV status in “two way interactions with other demographic characteristics”. The multilayer perceptron (MLP) sensitivity test also showed that the age of the pregnant woman had the greatest effect on the risk of acquiring an HIV infection, while her gravidity and syphilis status had the lowest effects. The outcome of the MLP modelling produced the same results obtained by the screening and response surface methodologies. The binary logistic regression technique was compared with a Box-Behnken design to further elucidate the differential effects of demographic characteristics on the risk of acquiring HIV amongst pregnant women. The two methodologies indicated that the age of the pregnant woman and her level of education had the most profound effects on her risk of acquiring an HIV infection. To facilitate the comparison of the performance of the classifiers used in this study, a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was applied. Theoretically, an ROC analysis provides tools to select optimal models and to discard suboptimal ones independent from the cost context or the classification distribution. SAS Enterprise MinerTM was employed to develop the required receiver-of-characteristics (ROC) curves. To validate the results obtained by the above classification methodologies, a credit scoring add-on in SAS Enterprise MinerTM was used to build binary target scorecards comprised of HIV positive and negative datasets for probability determination. The process involved grouping variables using weights-of-evidence (WOE), prior to performing a logistic regression to produce predicted probabilities. The process of creating bins for the scorecard enables the study of the inherent relationship between demographic characteristics and an in-dividual’s HIV status. This technique increases the understanding of the risk ranking ability of the scorecard method, while offering an added advantage of being predictive.

This research addresses the novel application of design of experiment, artificial neural net-works and logistic regression to study the effect of demographic characteristics on the risk of acquiring HIV infection among the antenatal clinic attendees in South Africa. The annual antenatal HIV survey is the only major national indicator for HIV prevalence in South Africa. This is a vital technique to understand the changes in the HIV epidemic over time. The annual antenatal clinic data contains the following demographic characteristics for each pregnant woman; age (herein called mother's age), partner's age (herein father's age), population group (race), level of education, gravidity (number of pregnancies), parity (number of children born), HIV and syphilis status. This project applied a screening design of experiment technique to rank the effects of individual demographic characteristics on the risk of acquiring an HIV infection. There are a various screening design techniques such as fractional or full factorial and Plackett-Burman designs. In this work, a two-level fractional factorial design was selected for the purposes of screening. In addition to screening designs, this project employed response surface methodologies (RSM) to estimate interaction and quadratic effects of demographic characteristics using a central composite face-centered and a Box-Behnken design. Furthermore, this research presents the novel application of multi-layer perceptron’s (MLP) neural networks to model the demographic characteristics of antenatal clinic attendees. A review report was produced to study the application of neural networks to modelling HIV/AIDS around the world. The latter report is important to enhance our understanding of the extent to which neural networks have been applied to study the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Finally, a binary logistic regression technique was employed to benchmark the results obtained by the design of experiments and neural networks methodologies. The two-level fractional factorial design demonstrated that HIV prevalence was highly sensitive to changes in the mother's age (15-55 years) and level of her education (Grades 0-13). The central composite face centered and Box-Behnken designs employed to study the individual and interaction effects of demographic characteristics on the spread of HIV in South Africa, demonstrated that HIV status of an antenatal clinic attendee was highly sensitive to changes in pregnant mother's age and her educational level. In addition, the interaction of the mother's age with other demographic characteristics was also found to be an important determinant of the risk of acquiring an HIV infection. Furthermore, the central composite face centered and Box-Behnken designs illustrated that, individual-ally the pregnant mother's parity and her partner's age had no marked effect on her HIV status. However, the pregnant woman’s parity and her male partner’s age did show marked effects on her HIV status in “two way interactions with other demographic characteristics”. The multilayer perceptron (MLP) sensitivity test also showed that the age of the pregnant woman had the greatest effect on the risk of acquiring an HIV infection, while her gravidity and syphilis status had the lowest effects. The outcome of the MLP modelling produced the same results obtained by the screening and response surface methodologies. The binary logistic regression technique was compared with a Box-Behnken design to further elucidate the differential effects of demographic characteristics on the risk of acquiring HIV amongst pregnant women. The two methodologies indicated that the age of the pregnant woman and her level of education had the most profound effects on her risk of acquiring an HIV infection. To facilitate the comparison of the performance of the classifiers used in this study, a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was applied. Theoretically, an ROC analysis provides tools to select optimal models and to discard suboptimal ones independent from the cost context or the classification distribution. SAS Enterprise MinerTM was employed to develop the required receiver-of-characteristics (ROC) curves. To validate the results obtained by the above classification methodologies, a credit scoring add-on in SAS Enterprise MinerTM was used to build binary target scorecards comprised of HIV positive and negative datasets for probability determination. The process involved grouping variables using weights-of-evidence (WOE), prior to performing a logistic regression to produce predicted probabilities. The process of creating bins for the scorecard enables the study of the inherent relationship between demographic characteristics and an in-dividual’s HIV status. This technique increases the understanding of the risk ranking ability of the scorecard method, while offering an added advantage of being predictive.

Increasing freshwater scarcity is making reclamation of wastewater effluent more economically attractive as a means of preserving freshwater resources. The use of an integrated membrane system (IMS), the combination of micro/ultra-filtration (MF/UF) followed by reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, represents a key process for municipal wastewater reuse. A major drawback of such systems is the fouling of both the MF/UF and RO membranes. The water to be treated by the IMS system varies from one wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to another, and its fouling propensity changes correspondingly. It is thus preferable to conduct pilot trials before implementing a full-scale plant. This thesis aims to look at the sustainability of IMS technology dedicated to indirect potable reuse (IPR) in terms of fouling minimisation and cost via a 600 m3 .d- 1 pilot plant. Wastewater reuse plants, using IMS, as well as statistical methods for membrane optimisation were reviewed. Box-Behnken design was used to define optimum operating envelopes of the pilot plant for both the microfiltration and the reverse osmosis in terms of fouling minimisation. Same statistical method was used to enhance the efficiency of the MF cleaning-in place through bench-scale test. Data from the pilot plant MF process allow to determine relationship between reversible and irreversible fouling, and operating parameters and feed water quality. Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of the both trains (MF/RO/AOP and MF/AOP) of the pilot plant was performed and compared with the LCCA of two full-scale plant.

Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-05-03T13:32:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Ramon Freire da Silva.pdf: 2172249 bytes, checksum: 4d80236030ada8b7da00fcc846672e9b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-07-25T19:29:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Ramon Freire da Silva.pdf: 2172249 bytes, checksum: 4d80236030ada8b7da00fcc846672e9b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-07-25T19:32:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Ramon Freire da Silva.pdf: 2172249 bytes, checksum: 4d80236030ada8b7da00fcc846672e9b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-25T19:32:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Ramon Freire da Silva.pdf: 2172249 bytes, checksum: 4d80236030ada8b7da00fcc846672e9b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Biodiesel is an alternative to renewable fuel production in the national energy matrix comes from oilseeds such as the castor bean and peanuts which are plants grown by farmers in semi-arid northeast. In the paper aimed to optimize via ethyl, basic catalysis using ultrasound system 3 biodiesel synthesis of castor beans and peanuts. Initially we used the designs Box Behnken 2 with 12 factorial points (+1 and -1), to estimate the experimental error were used three central points (0), totaling 15 experiments. They were analyzed three independent variables catalyst concentration, proportion castor beans/peanut, molar ratio alcohol:oil due to the mass yield of biodiesel. We analyzed the effects of the variables and the significance using the Student test and analysis of variance to 95% probability. Aiming to optimize the reaction conditions of synthesis used a second Box Behnken 2 design with 12 factorial points, three central points with three independent variables: catalyst concentration, castor bean/peanut proportion and molar ratio alcohol / oil, adapting the levels under the influence of variables from the previous design. The 3 experimental optimum condition was determined using response surface methodology. The ultrasound system is feasible for biodiesel synthesis castor beans and peanuts, because we used a reaction time and temperature under 60 minutes and 40°C respectively, without compromising the mass yield of biodiesel. The design has set a great experimental conditions: catalyst concentration 1.06%, proportion castor bean/peanut 32.6/67.4 and molar ratio alcohol/oil 22.95:1. In these experimental conditions the maximum theoretical yield calculated was 91,83%. After application of the theoretical conditions was observed a 91,56% yield small difference exists between 0,27% yields. / O biodiesel é uma alternativa para produção de combustível renovável na matriz energética nacional, tem origem em grãos oleaginosos a exemplo da mamona e amendoim que são plantas cultivadas por agricultores familiares no semiárido nordestino. No trabalho, objetivou-se otimizar via etílica, catálise básica, utilizando sistema de ultrassom a síntese de biodiesel de mamona e amendoim. Inicialmente utilizou-se o delineamentos Box Behnken 2 com 12 pontos fatoriais (+1 3 e -1), para estimativa do erro experimental foram utilizados 3 pontos centrais (0), totalizando 15 experimentos. Foram analisadas três variáveis independentes concentração de catalisador, proporção mamona/amendoim, razão álcool/óleo em função do rendimento mássico de biodiesel. Analisou-se os efeitos das variáveis e a significância por meio do teste t-student e análise de variância a 95% de probabilidade. Objetivando-se otimizar as condições reacionais de síntese utilizou-se um segundo delineamento Box Behnken 2 com 12 pontos fatoriais, 3 pontos centrais com três variáveis independentes: concentração de catalisador, proporção mamona/amendoim e razão álcool/óleo, adequando-se os níveis de acordo com a influência das variáveis do 3 delineamento anterior. A condição ótima experimental foi determinada utilizando-se metodologia de superfície de resposta. O sistema de ultrassom é viável para síntese de biodiesel de mamona e amendoim, pois utilizou-se um tempo de reação e temperatura baixos 60 minutos e 40ºC respectivamente, sem comprometer o rendimento mássico do biodiesel. O delineamento estabeleceu como ótimo experimental as condições: concentração de catalisador 1,06%, proporção mamona/amendoim 32,6/67,4 e razão álcool/óleo 22,95:1. Nessas condições experimentais o rendimento máximo teórico calculado foi 91,83%. Após aplicação das condições teóricas observou-se um rendimento 91,56% existindo pequena diferença entre os rendimentos de 0,27%.

A mucopolissacaridose tipo I (MPS I) é uma doença autossômica recessiva causada pela deficiência da enzima α-L-iduronidade (IDUA). Essa deficiência resulta no acúmulo de glicosaminoglicanos levando a diversas manifestações clínicas. A microencapsulação de células recombinantes que superexpressam IDUA tem sido considerada uma estratégia promissora para o tratamento de MPS I. Neste contexto, o presente estudo teve por objetivo a otimização da encapsulação de células BHK (Baby Hamster Kidney) superexpressando IDUA em microcápsulas de alginato revestidas com poli-L-lisina (PLL) utilizando-se um extrusor eletrostático. Em uma primeira etapa, um estudo de otimização das microcápsulas de alginato (MC-A) foi realizado por meio de um desenho experimental do tipo Box-Behnken (software Mini-Tab®) que permitiu avaliar simultaneamente a influência da voltagem (kV), fluxo alginato/células (mL/h) e concentração de alginato (%) sobre o tamanho das microcápsulas e a atividade de IDUA. Após, as microcápsulas foram revestidas sequencialmente com PLL e alginato (MC-APA) com o objetivo de aumentar a sua estabilidade. Nas condições experimentais empregadas, MC-A e MC-APA apresentaram-se monodispersas (span < 1,22) com um diâmetro médio inferior a 350 μm, determinado por difração a laser. O revestimento alterou a morfologia das microcápsulas (microscopia eletrônica de varredura) e a sua resistência mecânica (analisador de textura), sendo observado um aumento de cerca de 6 vezes na força necessária para compressão das mesmas. O revestimento final pelo alginato (MC-APA) parece ter sido parcial de acordo com as análises de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier com refletância atenuada. Em uma última etapa, a atividade enzimática foi avaliada em modelo murino MPS I após implante subcutâneo de MC-APA. Foi observado um aumento significativo da atividade de IDUA na pele, após 30 dias de tratamento. Nas análises histológicas foi observado um infiltrado inflamatório no local da aplicação que não impediu a liberação da enzima nas condições avaliadas. No seu conjunto, esse estudo demonstra a potencialidade das MC-APA para a liberação local de IDUA. / Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of α-L-iduronidase (IDUA). This deficiency results in the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans leading to various clinical manifestations. The microencapsulation of recombinant cells overexpressing IDUA has been considered as a promising strategy for the treatment of MPS I. In this context, the present study aimed to optimize the encapsulation of BHK cells overexpressing IDUA in poly-L-lysine (PLL) coated alginate microcapsules using an electrostatic extruder. In a first step, a Box-Behnken experimental design (Mini-Tab® software) was carried out for the optimization of the alginate microcapsules (MC-A), which allowed to evaluate simultaneously the influence of voltage (kV), alginate/cell flow (mL/h) and alginate concentration (%) on the size of the microcapsules and IDUA activity. Thereafter, the microcapsules were sequentially coated with PLL and alginate (MC-APA) in order to increase their stability. In the experimental conditions used, MC-A and MC-APA were monodisperse (span <1.22) with an average diameter of less than 350 μm, determined by laser diffraction. The coating modified microcapsules morphology (scanning electron microscopy) and their mechanical resistance (texture analyzer), being observed a six-fold increase in the required force for their compression. The final alginate coating (MC-APA) appears to have only partially coated the microcapsules, according to the attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. In a final step, the enzymatic activity was evaluated in a MPS I murine model after subcutaneous implantation of MC-APA. A significant increase in IDUA activity was observed in the skin at 30 days after treatment. Histological analszes revealed an inflammatory infiltrate at the application site, which did not prevent the release of the enzyme under the evaluated conditions. Overall, this study demonstrates the potentiality of MC-APA for the local release of IDUA.

Distorções geométricas em partes metálicas unidas através de soldagem a arco elétrico são consequências inerentes ao processo devido ao elevado fluxo de calor necessário para fusão dos metais de base e adição (quando houver). Embora inevitáveis, estas distorções podem ser reduzidas ou eliminadas através do prévio conhecimento do comportamento da junta de acordo com energia aplicada, características geométricas, propriedades do material, entre outros fatores, possibilitando assim a redução de custos com possíveis retrabalhos por meio de alterações de projeto ou ações que as previnam durante a soldagem. Este trabalho utilizou a metodologia de Projeto de Experimentos para avaliar o efeito da energia de soldagem, espessura da aba e espessura da alma na distorção angular em juntas de filete soldadas pelo processo MIG/MAG com modo de transferência curto-circuito. Foi aplicada a Análise de Variância para as distorções angulares das amostras e identificou como significativo o efeito linear da energia de soldagem, o efeito quadrático da espessura da aba e a interação dos fatores energia de soldagem e espessura da aba na distorção angular de juntas de filete. Observou-se mínimas distorções para a combinação de maior energia de soldagem e menor espessura de aba, sendo mínimas também as distorções angulares para a combinação de menor energia de soldagem e maior espessura de aba, independente da espessura da alma para as condições estudadas. Através das macrografias das amostras, identificou-se que razão entre a área total do metal de solda e espessura da aba que gera maior distorção angular é aproximamente 5, com menores distorções angulares para valores inferiores e superiores a esse. Através de um modelo numérico, demonstrou-se que o gradiente de temperatura na aba da junta não determina a máxima distorção angular, e sim a máxima temperatura atingida na superfície inferior da aba, com máxima distorção angular obtida para a amostra que atingiu aproximadamente 425 ºC em ponto na superfície inferior da aba e paralelo à margem do cordão. Por fim, para distorções angulares em função da razão entre a energia de soldagem conduzida pela aba e espessura de aba ao quadrado, observou-se que a distorção angular é crescente até atingir 15,00 J/mm³, e menores distorções angulares para relações superiores a esse valor. / Welding deformation on metallic parts joined by electric arc welding are inherent consequences of the process due to the high heat flux required for melting the base and filler metals (when used). Although unavoidable, these deformations can be reduced or eliminated through prior knowledge of joint behavior in accordance with applied heat input (welding energy), geometric characteristics, material properties, among other factors, thus reducing costs with possible rework through design changes or actions that prevent them during welding. This work uses a methodology proposed by Experimental Design theories to evaluate the effect of heat input, flange thickness and web thickness on angular distortion in fillet joints welded by the GMAW process with short-circuit transfer mode. Was applied Analysis of Variance for the angular distortions of the test specimens and there are significant the linear effect of heat input, the quadratic effect of flange thickness and the interaction of heat input and flange thickness on the angular distortion of fillet joints, observing minimum distortion for the combination of higher heat input and lower flange thickness, and also angular distortions for the combination of lower heat input and higher flange thickness, regardless of the thickness of the web are minimal. Through the macrographs of the samples, it was identified that the ratio of a region of the weld metal to the flange thickness that generates the greatest angular distortion is approximately 5, with smaller angular distortions for lower values and higher than that. Through a numerical model, it has been shown that the temperature gradient in the flange does not determine the maximum angular distortion, but the maximum temperature reached in the lower surface of the flange, with maximum angular distortion obtained for the sample that reached approximately 425ºC in point on the surface bottom of the flange and parallel to the edge of the weld bead. Finally, for angular distortions as a function of the ratio between the heat input conducted by the flange and the squared flange thickness, it was observed that the angular distortion is increasing until reaching 15,00 J/mm³, and smaller angular distortions for higher relations to this value.

ALEXANDRE, J. E. C. Estudo da tecnologia de eletrocoagulação aplicada ao tratamento de efluente têxtil utilizando corrente contínua pulsada. 2015. 118 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Engenharia Civil: Saneamento Ambiental) – Centro de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2015. / Submitted by Marlene Sousa (mmarlene@ufc.br) on 2015-08-24T11:35:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_jecalexandre.pdf: 3826777 bytes, checksum: affbab826f48337770fea40046df8f23 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marlene Sousa(mmarlene@ufc.br) on 2015-08-26T18:00:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_jecalexandre.pdf: 3826777 bytes, checksum: affbab826f48337770fea40046df8f23 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-08-26T18:00:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_jecalexandre.pdf: 3826777 bytes, checksum: affbab826f48337770fea40046df8f23 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-26 / The present work proposed to investigate the electrocoagulation technology (EC) for the treatment of textile effluent using pulsed direct current (CCP) and stainless steel electrodes 304. The effluent used was collected in a textile manufacturer networks in the municipality of Jaguaruana -CE. The Response Surface Methodology Box-Behnken was used to analyze and optimize the operating conditions, aimed at maximum removal of color, turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the textile effluent. The experiments were performed with a reaction volume of 2.6 L in batch mode. The COD degradation kinetics was studied using non-linear regression fit, according to the second order kinetics model. Based on these results the optimal configuration was considered: agitation speed = 200 rpm, frequency of electrical pulses = 1000 Hz and spacing between electrodes = 1 mm, in 50 minutes of EC. Under these conditions color removals were obtained, turbidity and COD, respectively 98.94%, 85.87% and 81.23%, adjusting the COD value to discharge standard required by Ordinance No. 154/2002 of the State Superintendent of Half Environment (SEMACE). In addition, it was found that the CS process is also effective for reduction of total suspended solids, total nitrogen, sulfide and sulfate, as well as for the reduction of acute toxicity Lactuca sativa forward, raising the value of the Growth Index Relative (ICR) and germination index (GI) initially recorded for the raw wastewater. The concentration of chloride ions has not decreased during the EC, presenting itself as a favorable aspect for the reuse of treated effluent in own textile production process, which demands a high concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl). / O presente trabalho propôs investigar a tecnologia de eletrocoagulação (EC) para o tratamento de efluente têxtil utilizando corrente contínua pulsada (CCP) e eletrodos de aço inoxidável 304. O efluente utilizado foi coletado em uma indústria têxtil fabricante de redes localizada no município de Jaguaruana-CE. A Metodologia de Superfície de Resposta Box-Behnken foi utilizada para analisar e otimizar as condições operacionais, visando a máxima remoção de cor, turbidez e demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) do efluente têxtil. Os experimentos foram realizados com um volume reacional de 2,6 L, em modo batelada. A cinética de degradação de DQO foi estudada através do ajuste de regressão não linear, obedecendo ao modelo de cinética de segunda ordem. Diante dos resultados obtidos a configuração ótima considerada foi: velocidade de agitação=200 rpm, frequência dos pulsos elétricos=1000 Hz e espaçamento entre os eletrodos=1 mm, em 50 minutos de EC. Nestas condições foram obtidas remoções de cor, turbidez e DQO, respectivamente de 98,94%, 85,87% e 81,23%, adequando o valor de DQO ao padrão de lançamento exigido pela Portaria nº 154/2002 da Superintendência Estadual do Meio Ambiente (SEMACE). Em adição, verificou-se que o processo de EC também foi eficaz para a redução de sólidos suspensos totais, nitrogênio total, sulfato e sulfeto, como também para a redução da toxicidade aguda frente à Lactuca sativa, elevando os valores do Índice de Crescimento Relativo (ICR) e Índice de Germinação (IG) inicialmente registrados para o efluente bruto. A concentração de íons cloreto não decresceu durante a EC, apresentando-se como um aspecto favorável para a reutilização do efluente tratado no próprio processo produtivo têxtil, o qual demanda uma elevada concentração de cloreto de sódio (NaCl).

A mucopolissacaridose tipo I (MPS I) é uma doença autossômica recessiva causada pela deficiência da enzima α-L-iduronidade (IDUA). Essa deficiência resulta no acúmulo de glicosaminoglicanos levando a diversas manifestações clínicas. A microencapsulação de células recombinantes que superexpressam IDUA tem sido considerada uma estratégia promissora para o tratamento de MPS I. Neste contexto, o presente estudo teve por objetivo a otimização da encapsulação de células BHK (Baby Hamster Kidney) superexpressando IDUA em microcápsulas de alginato revestidas com poli-L-lisina (PLL) utilizando-se um extrusor eletrostático. Em uma primeira etapa, um estudo de otimização das microcápsulas de alginato (MC-A) foi realizado por meio de um desenho experimental do tipo Box-Behnken (software Mini-Tab®) que permitiu avaliar simultaneamente a influência da voltagem (kV), fluxo alginato/células (mL/h) e concentração de alginato (%) sobre o tamanho das microcápsulas e a atividade de IDUA. Após, as microcápsulas foram revestidas sequencialmente com PLL e alginato (MC-APA) com o objetivo de aumentar a sua estabilidade. Nas condições experimentais empregadas, MC-A e MC-APA apresentaram-se monodispersas (span < 1,22) com um diâmetro médio inferior a 350 μm, determinado por difração a laser. O revestimento alterou a morfologia das microcápsulas (microscopia eletrônica de varredura) e a sua resistência mecânica (analisador de textura), sendo observado um aumento de cerca de 6 vezes na força necessária para compressão das mesmas. O revestimento final pelo alginato (MC-APA) parece ter sido parcial de acordo com as análises de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier com refletância atenuada. Em uma última etapa, a atividade enzimática foi avaliada em modelo murino MPS I após implante subcutâneo de MC-APA. Foi observado um aumento significativo da atividade de IDUA na pele, após 30 dias de tratamento. Nas análises histológicas foi observado um infiltrado inflamatório no local da aplicação que não impediu a liberação da enzima nas condições avaliadas. No seu conjunto, esse estudo demonstra a potencialidade das MC-APA para a liberação local de IDUA. / Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of α-L-iduronidase (IDUA). This deficiency results in the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans leading to various clinical manifestations. The microencapsulation of recombinant cells overexpressing IDUA has been considered as a promising strategy for the treatment of MPS I. In this context, the present study aimed to optimize the encapsulation of BHK cells overexpressing IDUA in poly-L-lysine (PLL) coated alginate microcapsules using an electrostatic extruder. In a first step, a Box-Behnken experimental design (Mini-Tab® software) was carried out for the optimization of the alginate microcapsules (MC-A), which allowed to evaluate simultaneously the influence of voltage (kV), alginate/cell flow (mL/h) and alginate concentration (%) on the size of the microcapsules and IDUA activity. Thereafter, the microcapsules were sequentially coated with PLL and alginate (MC-APA) in order to increase their stability. In the experimental conditions used, MC-A and MC-APA were monodisperse (span <1.22) with an average diameter of less than 350 μm, determined by laser diffraction. The coating modified microcapsules morphology (scanning electron microscopy) and their mechanical resistance (texture analyzer), being observed a six-fold increase in the required force for their compression. The final alginate coating (MC-APA) appears to have only partially coated the microcapsules, according to the attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. In a final step, the enzymatic activity was evaluated in a MPS I murine model after subcutaneous implantation of MC-APA. A significant increase in IDUA activity was observed in the skin at 30 days after treatment. Histological analszes revealed an inflammatory infiltrate at the application site, which did not prevent the release of the enzyme under the evaluated conditions. Overall, this study demonstrates the potentiality of MC-APA for the local release of IDUA.

Distorções geométricas em partes metálicas unidas através de soldagem a arco elétrico são consequências inerentes ao processo devido ao elevado fluxo de calor necessário para fusão dos metais de base e adição (quando houver). Embora inevitáveis, estas distorções podem ser reduzidas ou eliminadas através do prévio conhecimento do comportamento da junta de acordo com energia aplicada, características geométricas, propriedades do material, entre outros fatores, possibilitando assim a redução de custos com possíveis retrabalhos por meio de alterações de projeto ou ações que as previnam durante a soldagem. Este trabalho utilizou a metodologia de Projeto de Experimentos para avaliar o efeito da energia de soldagem, espessura da aba e espessura da alma na distorção angular em juntas de filete soldadas pelo processo MIG/MAG com modo de transferência curto-circuito. Foi aplicada a Análise de Variância para as distorções angulares das amostras e identificou como significativo o efeito linear da energia de soldagem, o efeito quadrático da espessura da aba e a interação dos fatores energia de soldagem e espessura da aba na distorção angular de juntas de filete. Observou-se mínimas distorções para a combinação de maior energia de soldagem e menor espessura de aba, sendo mínimas também as distorções angulares para a combinação de menor energia de soldagem e maior espessura de aba, independente da espessura da alma para as condições estudadas. Através das macrografias das amostras, identificou-se que razão entre a área total do metal de solda e espessura da aba que gera maior distorção angular é aproximamente 5, com menores distorções angulares para valores inferiores e superiores a esse. Através de um modelo numérico, demonstrou-se que o gradiente de temperatura na aba da junta não determina a máxima distorção angular, e sim a máxima temperatura atingida na superfície inferior da aba, com máxima distorção angular obtida para a amostra que atingiu aproximadamente 425 ºC em ponto na superfície inferior da aba e paralelo à margem do cordão. Por fim, para distorções angulares em função da razão entre a energia de soldagem conduzida pela aba e espessura de aba ao quadrado, observou-se que a distorção angular é crescente até atingir 15,00 J/mm³, e menores distorções angulares para relações superiores a esse valor. / Welding deformation on metallic parts joined by electric arc welding are inherent consequences of the process due to the high heat flux required for melting the base and filler metals (when used). Although unavoidable, these deformations can be reduced or eliminated through prior knowledge of joint behavior in accordance with applied heat input (welding energy), geometric characteristics, material properties, among other factors, thus reducing costs with possible rework through design changes or actions that prevent them during welding. This work uses a methodology proposed by Experimental Design theories to evaluate the effect of heat input, flange thickness and web thickness on angular distortion in fillet joints welded by the GMAW process with short-circuit transfer mode. Was applied Analysis of Variance for the angular distortions of the test specimens and there are significant the linear effect of heat input, the quadratic effect of flange thickness and the interaction of heat input and flange thickness on the angular distortion of fillet joints, observing minimum distortion for the combination of higher heat input and lower flange thickness, and also angular distortions for the combination of lower heat input and higher flange thickness, regardless of the thickness of the web are minimal. Through the macrographs of the samples, it was identified that the ratio of a region of the weld metal to the flange thickness that generates the greatest angular distortion is approximately 5, with smaller angular distortions for lower values and higher than that. Through a numerical model, it has been shown that the temperature gradient in the flange does not determine the maximum angular distortion, but the maximum temperature reached in the lower surface of the flange, with maximum angular distortion obtained for the sample that reached approximately 425ºC in point on the surface bottom of the flange and parallel to the edge of the weld bead. Finally, for angular distortions as a function of the ratio between the heat input conducted by the flange and the squared flange thickness, it was observed that the angular distortion is increasing until reaching 15,00 J/mm³, and smaller angular distortions for higher relations to this value.