Thermal degradation kinetics and lifetime prediction of cellulose biomass cryogels reinforced by its pyrolysis waste

Degradation kinetics is an important tool in order to understand and improve energy conversion and the final application of a material. Cellulose cryogels (CC) are a new class of materials that can be reinforced by several types of particle, including biochar. Apart from it, degradation kinetics and lifetime prediction of biomass cellulose cryogels reinforced by cellulose pyrolysis waste (BC) has been investigated using TG techniques and iso-conversional model free methods. Additionally, the same study was applied to cellulose cryogels reinforced by graphene nanoplatelets (NPG) to compare the behavior of a filler from waste (BC) and a noble filler (NPG). Furthermore, the influence of the addition of the fillers into the cellulose biomass were evaluated in terms of thermal stability and crystallinity. BC and GNP led to higher values of activation energies (Ea) calculated from model-free isoconversional methods and all samples degraded in two-steps. Finally, lifetime prediction was successfully applied and the CC cryogel became more stable over time, maintaining almost 80% of the mass for 1 year exposed at 180 °C. The results of this study shown that only cellulose biomass cryogels are more suitable to produce thermal insulators due to it higher thermal stability

FATORES DETERMINANTES DO CONTEÚDO DIVULGADO NO RELATÓRIO DE ADMINISTRAÇÃO DE EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS

O Relatório da Administração segue orientações e normatizações de órgãos reguladores, porém, devido a sua estrutura não padronizada, o teor das informações divulgadas é, em grande parte, uma questão de responsabilidade corporativa. Considerando tal proposição, esta pesquisa, de caráter descritivo, teve como objetivo analisar fatores determinantes do conteúdo divulgado no Relatório da Administração de companhias com ações negociadas na BM&FBOVESPA, do setor consumo cíclico, subsetor comércio, no período de 2008 a 2013. Os fatores analisados foram porte, participação acionária, segmento de governança, retorno sobre o patrimônio líquido e retorno sobre o ativo. Observando os pressupostos normativos, o estudo propôs a análise da frequência de itens categorizados em três dimensões: descrição geral da gestão, plano estratégico e performance da empresa e utilizou-se de um modelo de regressão linear agrupado para análise da influência dos fatores selecionados. Foi encontrada relação positiva e significante entre o volume de informações contido nos Relatórios da Administração e o porte, o segmento de governança e a rentabilidade das empresas. No caso da participação acionária não houve relação estatisticamente significante. Ressalta-se que as informações evidenciadas, não obedecem a um padrão no segmento específico e não apresentam consistência e abrangência em relação aos itens que deveriam fazer parte deste relatório.

FATORES DETERMINANTES DO CONTEÚDO DIVULGADO NO RELATÓRIO DE ADMINISTRAÇÃO DE EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS

O Relatório da Administração segue orientações e normatizações de órgãos reguladores, porém, devido a sua estrutura não padronizada, o teor das informações divulgadas é, em grande parte, uma questão de responsabilidade corporativa. Considerando tal proposição, esta pesquisa, de caráter descritivo, teve como objetivo analisar fatores determinantes do conteúdo divulgado no Relatório da Administração de companhias com ações negociadas na BM&FBOVESPA, do setor consumo cíclico, subsetor comércio, no período de 2008 a 2013. Os fatores analisados foram porte, participação acionária, segmento de governança, retorno sobre o patrimônio líquido e retorno sobre o ativo. Observando os pressupostos normativos, o estudo propôs a análise da frequência de itens categorizados em três dimensões: descrição geral da gestão, plano estratégico e performance da empresa e utilizou-se de um modelo de regressão linear agrupado para análise da influência dos fatores selecionados. Foi encontrada relação positiva e significante entre o volume de informações contido nos Relatórios da Administração e o porte, o segmento de governança e a rentabilidade das empresas. No caso da participação acionária não houve relação estatisticamente significante. Ressalta-se que as informações evidenciadas, não obedecem a um padrão no segmento específico e não apresentam consistência e abrangência em relação aos itens que deveriam fazer parte deste relatório.

Topical (S)-ketamine for pain management of postherpetic neuralgia

O herpes zoster pode resultar em neuralgia pós-herpética, que é definida como dor prolongada predominantemente mediada por hiperatividade do sistema nervoso central. Esse fenômeno pode ser revertido pelo uso da (S)-cetamina, mas seu uso pode resultar em efeitos adversos intoleráveis, enquanto seu uso tópico parece ser seguro. Este é um estudo cross-over com 12 pacientes distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos. Observou-se efeito importante do tempo sobre a intensidade da dor, mas não houve diferenças estatísticas do uso da SKET, ou do placebo, no escore da dor, neste esquema de tratamento. Discretas reações cutâneas foram observadas com o uso de SKET tópico.Herpes zoster infection may cause postherpetic neuralgia, which is defined by prolonged pain predominantly mediated by central nervous system hypersensitivity. This phenomenon may be reversed by (S)-ketamine (SKET), but its use results in intolerable side effects, while its topical administration seems to be safe. It is a cross-over design study with 12 patients randomly divided into two groups. There was a significant effect of time on pain intensity, but no statistical difference in pain scores for SKET or placebo use in this sample in this treatment regimen. Only few mild cutaneous reactions were observed with topical SKET use.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Soils Developed on Geomorphic Surfaces in the Mountain Region of the State of Rio de Janeiro

<div><p>ABSTRACT: The evaluation of soils in representative landscapes constitutes an opportunity to evaluate spatial distribution, discuss formation processes, and apply this knowledge to land use and management. In this sense, from the perspective of an environmentally diversified region, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the occurrence and understand the formation of soils in different geomorphic surfaces of a landscape from a mountain region in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The study was developed in the Pito Aceso microbasin in the municipality of Bom Jardim, composed of narrow valleys and a rugged mountain domain, with elevation between 640 and 1,270 m. In a representative landscape, the geomorphic surfaces were obtained from the slope segments and flow lines. On the geomorphic surfaces, soil profiles were described by their morphological properties, collected, and analyzed to describe the chemical and physical properties of each horizon. Geomorphological aspects and possible variations of the parent material directly affected pedogenesis and led to distinct soil classes in the landscape. Variation in the geomorphic surfaces directs the processes for soil formation under current conditions, as well as the preservation of polygenetic soils. Soils of lower development and with greater participation of the exchangeable cations were identified at the summit (talus deposit) (Neossolo Litólico and Cambissolo Húmico) and toeslope (colluvial-alluvial) (Neossolo Flúvico), whereas more developed soils with lower nutrient content occur in the concave (Argissolos Vermelho and Amarelo) and convex (Latossolo Amarelo) backslope, except for the Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo in the shoulder, which had high exchangeable cations contents.</p></div

Mitral implant of the Inovare transcatheter heart valve in failed surgical bioprostheses: a novel alternative for valve-in-valve procedures

Reoperative procedure for the treatment of a failed mitral bioprosthesis is associated with considerable risk. In some cases, mortality is high and might contraindicate the benefit of the procedure. The minimally invasive valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter mitral valve implant offers an alternative less-invasive approach, reducing morbidity and mortality. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the mitral ViV approach using the Braile Inovare prosthesis. The transcatheter balloon-expandable Braile Inovare prosthesis was used in 12 cases. Procedures were performed in a hybrid operating room, under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic control. Through left minithoracotomy, the prostheses were implanted through the cardiac apex. Serial echocardiographic and clinical examinations were performed. Follow-up varied from 1 to 30 months. A total of 12 transapical mitral ViV procedures were performed. Patients had a mean age of 61.6 ± 9.9 years and 92% were women. Mean logistic EuroSCORE was 20.1%. Successful valve implantation was possible in all cases. In one case, a right lateral thoracotomy was performed for the removal of an embolized prosthesis. There was no operative mortality. Thirty-day mortality was 8.3%. Ejection fraction was preserved after the implant (66.7%; 64.8%; P  = 0.3). The mitral gradient showed a significant reduction (11 mmHg; 6 mmHg; P  < 0.001). Residual mitral regurgitation was not present. There was no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The mitral ViV implant in a failed bioprosthesis is an effective procedure. This possibility might alter prosthesis selection in the future initial surgical prosthesis selection, favouring bioprostheses. Further large trials should explore its safety

Soils developed on geomorphic surfaces in the mountain region of the State of Rio de Janeiro.

The evaluation of soils in representative landscapes constitutes an opportunity to evaluate spatial distribution, discuss formation processes, and apply this knowledge to land use and management. In this sense, from the perspective of an environmentally diversified region, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the occurrence and understand the formation of soils in different geomorphic surfaces of a landscape from a mountain region in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The study was developed in the Pito Aceso microbasin in the municipality of Bom Jardim, composed of narrow valleys and a rugged mountain domain, with elevation between 640 and 1,270 m. In a representative landscape, the geomorphic surfaces were obtained from the slope segments and flow lines. On the geomorphic surfaces, soil profiles were described by their morphological properties, collected, and analyzed to describe the chemical and physical properties of each horizon. Geomorphological aspects and possible variations of the parent material directly affected pedogenesis and led to distinct soil classes in the landscape. Variation in the geomorphic surfaces directs the processes for soil formation under current conditions, as well as the preservation of polygenetic soils. Soils of lower development and with greater participation of the exchangeable cations were identified at the summit (talus deposit) (Neossolo Litólico and Cambissolo Húmico) and toeslope (colluvial-alluvial) (Neossolo Flúvico), whereas more developed soils with lower nutrient content occur in the concave (Argissolos Vermelho and Amarelo) and convex (Latossolo Amarelo) backslope, except for the Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo in the shoulder, which had high exchangeable cations contents.Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-27T23:33:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2017055.pdf: 799431 bytes, checksum: 0cb5804ec26ec0d84c1295016754081d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-27bitstream/item/167548/1/2017-055.pd