Present computer processing capabilities are becoming a restriction to meet modern technological needs. Therefore, approaches beyond the von Neumann computational architecture are imperative and the brain operation and structure are truly attractive models. Memristors are characterized by a nonlinear relationship between current history and voltage and were shown to present properties resembling those of biological synapses. Here, the use of metal-insulator-metal-based memristive devices in neural networks capable of simulating the learning and adaptation features present in mammal brains is discussed.

Once freeways are classified as arterial systems, they are directly associated to accessibility which has implications on efficiency of a road network design. The geometric design standards influence the freeways’ conception and operation and, therefore, they certainly have an impact on accessibility and the country’s development.
A comparative analysis of geometric design of freeways was focused on two policies, both from Portugal and United States of America. The data gathered the geometric parameters regarding the design controls, criteria, elements of design and cross section elements.
The major finding of this review infers that the Portuguese Policy imply wider and extensive freeways that arise from strong restraints in the minimum values of geometric parameters. This reflects on higher safety frame. The American Policy is less conservative which may reflect on slender geometric freeways, in comparison with the Portuguese. Therefore, it may be assumed that the American Policy designs less expensive freeways.

The continuous growth of distributed generation along the medium voltage distribution networks (MVDN) induces multifaceted technical challenges that have to be addressed by alternative control architecture schemes beyond the centralized strategies and the fit and forget doctrine. The active participation of DG essentially drives the network to pave towards the Smart Grid concept. This paper entails a decentralized control strategy which is based on a sensitivity analysis to stipulate the proper dispatch set-points for the DGs; hence, all nodal voltages are in permissible bounds. An overview of sensitivity approaches is presented and discussed for their adequacy to be used in MVDN. The proposed method is simulated on a 13- Node Test Feeder IEEE benchmark, while its consistency is compared with a centralized scheme.

In discrete electronics, the statistical variability of device parameters is seldom given in datasheets, at least in such a way that this information can still be useful at design phase. Furthermore, even though several device manufacturers provide simulation models for simulation tools, the device-to-device and lot-to-lot variability of specific parameters is not included in such characterizations, and statistical simulation data is rarely provided, which calls into question the effectiveness of such models. The goal of the present work is twofold. First, it aims to provide a simple but reasonably accurate fitting approach with physical meaning to the static IV curves of long-channel MOSFET transistors. Secondly, it also finds pedagogical purposes, having practical applicability in undergraduate courses of fundamental electronics, as it targets the use of a straightforward approach to derive parameters useful for hand calculations in lab experiments based on experimental data with statistical support.

The continuous reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable, due to the depletion of global reserves and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their use. Therefore, there are vigorous research initiatives intended to develop renewable alternatives. Microalgae are a promising alternative for biodiesel production and have received increasing attention during the last few decades. However, is not yet sufficiently cost-effective to compete with petroleum-based conventional fuels. This happens essentially because of downstream processing – harvesting microalgae biomass and extraction of lipids are two of the most expensive processes from the overall process. Harvesting, drying, cell disruption, oil extraction and transesterification (into biodiesel) are highlighted processes in this review article. The techniques associated with each process present advantages and handicaps that are here discussed. Improvements that will directly affect the final production costs of microalgal biomass-based biofuels are also proposed.

This paper presents a limited literature review of information for urban intermodal transportation. A systematically approach of the published literature on the area has been done, with particular focus on urban passenger intermodal terminals and public transport real-time information. The information obtained was collected and compiled by the following themes: i) Public Transport Information; ii) Urban Transport Interchanges; iii) Intermodal Transfer Services. This work highlights some important literature gaps and shows that, in this domain, there are several open interesting research opportunities.

Lignin is a biopolymer found in plants which can be valorized as a source of value added compounds by breaking its structure in the constituting monomers. A model solution was prepared with seven phenolic compounds, including vanillin and syringaldehyde, usually found after alkaline lignin oxidation. The model solution was concentrated by nanofiltration membranes with low molecular weight cut-off (MWCO). Two membranes (DOW NF270 and KOCH MPS-34) were tested for permeate fluxes and phenolic compound rejection. Significant reduction of the volume mixture was achieved with high permeate fluxes as well as high rejections (above 90%) for the phenolic compounds studied. The membrane with the best performance was the DOW NF270 with maintained high rejections while having higher permeate fluxes resulting in higher productivity when compared with the other membrane KOCH MPS-34 also tested.