This study investigates the relationship between infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), leakage current, and meteorological parameters for assessing saline contamination in high-voltage insulation systems operating in a coastal environment. A multispectral monitoring methodology was applied to seven 500 kV disconnect switches installed at a coastal substation located approximately 1.5 km from the sea. Infrared thermal attributes, ultraviolet partial discharge indicators, RMS leakage current measurements, and a precipitation-based drought index (derived from rainfall data) were collected and analyzed over several months under real operating conditions. Thermal monitoring was performed using region-based maximum threshold temperature variation (ΔTthreshold), while ultraviolet analysis employed maximum persistence (Pma´x) and corona discharge area (aF) as condition indicators. The monitored parameters exhibited similar temporal behavior, with reductions following significant rainfall events and progressive increases during extended dry periods, indicating the cumulative influence of saline contamination. Correlation analyses indicated strong and statistically significant associations between the monitored attributes and the number of days elapsed since precipitation events ≥ 5 mm. Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from 0.890 to 0.970, while Spearman coefficients reached 0.976 (p ≤ 0.01). Strong associations were also observed among thermal, ultraviolet, and leakage current indicators, suggesting consistency within the proposed multispectral framework. The results suggest that the integrated analysis of IR, UV, leakage current, and precipitation history may provide useful condition indicators for tracking contamination severity and supporting condition-based maintenance of high-voltage assets operating in coastal environments.
Sorghum is a resilient crop of great agricultural importance, notable for its high efficiency in water and energy use. However, factors such as low soil nutrient availability and abiotic stresses can limit its productive potential. In this context, plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have proven to be sustainable alternatives as they can stimulate crop growth through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and tolerance to adverse stresses. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis with a narrative synthesis of scientific production on the use of PGPB in sorghum cultivation between 2014 and 2024. To this end, a search for scientific articles was conducted in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The bibliographic data were refined and analyzed in the R software using the Bibliometrix package. It was possible to identify the main authors, institutions, journals, keywords, and scientific collaboration networks. An increase was observed in global scientific production, with Brazil and the United States of America standing out as leaders in publications. The research mainly addressed the effects of PGPB on sorghum growth, BNF, and mitigation of abiotic stresses, such as drought and heavy metal contamination. The use of PGPB was also related to phytoremediation, standing out as a strategy for environmental recovery and increased agricultural productivity. These results contribute to understanding trends and advances in the application of PGPB in sorghum cultivation, as well as providing subsidies for future research.
Fruit processing generates large volumes of residues that are often underutilized, despite their functional and nutritional value being comparable to or even higher than that of fresh fruits. Genipap (Genipa americana L.) stands out due to its richness in bioactive compounds, including iridoids, phenolics, and flavonoids, as well as the natural blue pigment derived from the fruit. In juice production, approximately 40
High-carbon steel wires (0.7%C) are widely used in engineering due to their high strength and versatility. Among their various applications, their use under severe conditions, including embrittling environments and fatigue loading, is particularly noteworthy. Wire welding can introduce imperfections and weaken the material, an effect further aggravated by hydrogen-inducing agents. Although butt resistance welding is the most commonly employed technique for wires, it presents several limitations. This study investigates rotary friction welding as an alternative process, evaluating fatigue resistance and hydrogen embrittlement in 5.2 mm diameter wires, in comparison with the conventional resistance welding method. The results showed that friction-welded joints exhibited an approximately 90% increase in fatigue life and effectively eliminated the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility observed in resistance welds, raising the success rate in testing from 20 to 100%. It is concluded that the rotary friction process reduces the formation of brittle microstructures and provides high resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. Therefore, the adoption of rotary friction welding is recommended for critical applications of high-carbon steel wires subjected to fatigue and hydrogen-susceptible environments.
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of combined treatment with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) associated with pramipexole in neuromodulation and control of aberrant motor behavior (AMB) in elderly patients with dementia, as well as to study the behavior of serum irisin – a myokine associated with motor activity. Eight elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia were allocated by randomization to an active or placebo group. The active group received high-frequency rTMS and 0.25 mg of pramipexole for five consecutive days. The placebo group received sham stimulation and an inert pill for same time. After a 4-week washout period, the patients were switched between groups. Neuropsychiatric symptom questionnaires, global cognitive assessments, and blood samples for serum irisin measurement were collected. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests, and exploratory analysis was performed using bootstrap. There was no treatment efficacy for the AMB subscores on Neuropsychiatry Inventory (NPI). Cognitive measures in severe Mini-Mental Status Examination scores showed a signal of improvement in test group, however these findings should be considered preliminary (p = 0.034; CI95
