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International projections point to the growth in global production of sheep meat, mainly from developing countries. However, the exigencies of consumers on characterization of production systems, nutritional information, and sensorial analysis to target the preferences must be answered. The aim of this study was to characterize the meat quality and the global acceptance of Brazilian native ovine breeds and their crosses, and discuss these aspects on the current basis of human health and wellbeing. Three native breeds (Morada Nova, Rabo Largo, and Santa Inês) that were managed in semi-intensive systems and raised in semi-arid Brazilian regions were used. Chemical composition and fatty acid analysis, sensory evaluation and health indices were accessed. The combined effects of breed, sex and breed by sex interaction produced differentiation in meat fatty acid (FA) profiles. The cholesterol contents ranged between 51 and 59.1 mg/100 g. The Morada Nova lambs showed the lowest lipid content (1.93%). The Morada Nova x Rabo Largo crossbreed breed has the potential to increase the content of conjugated linoleic acid. The high content of a-linolenic acid, which is considered hypocholesterolemic, was responsible for better health indices. The moderate acceptability obtained in sensory traits is compatible with the requirements of the consumer market. The combination of nutritional and sensory traits associated with human health and wellbeing that is presented by these native ovine breeds qualifies them as a good choice of red meat to be included in a larger proportion in human food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosion properties of EN 1.4404 (316L) stainless steel with different applied surface treatment, were studied in NaCl solution using cyclic polarization. Observed properties were related to the specific topography of each surface by scanning electron microcopy and cross-section analysis. Average roughness was measured to evaluate the usability for this parameter to be used in assessment of corrosion resistance. Increased surface roughness and the existence of crevices resulted in overall deterioration of corrosion resistance, whereas more smooth and level topographies displayed general improvement. By analyzing the characteristic geometry of the typographies produced, the correlation between the varying corrosion properties and surfaces is determinable. In continuation hereof, the utilization of average roughness values ( Ra) as an isolated parameter, were found not to be sufficient for the assessment of corrosion resistance. Critical surface geometries with large impact on corrosion properties is not conveyed adequately by Ra, and thereby prevents sufficient differentiation between the actual surface properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a mixed layerwise finite element model for adaptive plate structures is presented. Static and free-vibration analysis of piezoelectric laminated plate structures is considered. A modified Reissner mixed variational principle is used to formulate the finite element model. The mixed functional is formulated using transverse stresses, displacement components and electrical potential as primary variables. The present model, in contrast with the standard layerwise displacement finite element model, fulfils the continuity of all primary variables across the interface between adjacent layers. The in-plane stress components and the electric displacements are evaluated in the post-computation through the piezolaminate constitutive equations. Two illustrative examples are presented for comparison. The predictions of the primary variables and the efficiency of the model, mainly with reference to the interlaminar stresses are discussed and compared with alternative three-dimensional solutions. The present solutions are found to be in good agreement with the benchmark solutions for the static and modal analysis problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper deals with the development of a layerwise finite element model for piezolaminated plate structures. A Reissner mixed variational principle is used to formulate the finite element model. The mixed functional is formulated using transverse stresses, transverse electrical displacement (if continuity, across the thickness, is required), displacement components and electrical potential as primary variables. The present model in contrast with the standard layerwise displacement finite element model, fulfils the continuity of all primary variables across the interface between adjacent layers. Only the in-plane stress components and electric displacements are evaluated in the post-computation through the piezolaminate constitutive equations. The applicability and performance of the proposed finite element model is illustrated with two examples. The predictions of the primary variables and the efficiency of the model, mainly with reference to the interlaminar stresses are discussed and compared with alternative three-dimensional solutions. The present solutions are found to be in good agreement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper a partial mixed layerwise finite element model for adaptive plate structures is presented. Static analysis of magneto-electro-elastic laminated plate structures is considered. The mixed finite element formulation is obtained by considering a Reissner mixed variational principle. The mixed functional is formulated using transverse stresses, displacement components and electric and magnetic potentials as primary variables. The other fields are calculated by post-computation through constitutive equations. The numerical results obtained by the present model are in good agreement with available three-dimensional analytical solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Walsh series are used to develop a finite-element model based on first-order shear deformation theory that enables accurate prediction of static and dynamic response of laminated composite plates. The model is based on a single-layer quadrilateral plate element with mixed formulation, which can be applied to any arbitrary layup. The model has as degrees of freedom stress resultants and generalized displacements. The accuracy and efficiency of the model developed is discussed with four illustrative cases, for static and natural frequencies results, which are compared with alternative solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]