Effect of operational parameters and Pd/In catalyst in the reduction of nitrate using copper electrode

Water with high concentration of nitrate may cause damage to health and to the environment. This study investigated how concentration, current density, flow, pH, the use of Pd/In catalyst and operating mode (constant current density and constant cell potential) have an influence in the electrochemical reduction of nitrate and in the formation of gaseous compounds using copper electrode. Experiments were performed in two-compartment electrolytic cells separated by a cationic membrane with nitrate model solutions prepared as a surrogate of concentrated brines from membrane desalination plants. The results show that the electroreduction process has potential for reduction of nitrate and that it is influenced by the operational conditions. The best conditions found for the treatment - with satisfactory reduction of nitrate, formation of compounds and reproducibility - were at nitrate concentrations of 600 and 1000 mg.L-1, current density of 1.1 mA.cm-2 and without pH control, since in these conditions the production of gaseous compounds is higher than the production of nitrite. When Pd/In catalyst was used, the nitrate reduction was 50% after 6 hours of experiment and the predominant product were gaseous compounds. When compared to the experiment without the catalyst, the arrangement with Pd/In was the most efficient one.Fil: Beltrame, Thiago Favarini. Ufrgds Lacor; BrasilFil: Coelho, Vanessa. Ufrgds Lacor; BrasilFil: Marder, Luciano. Ufrgds Lacor; BrasilFil: Ferreira, Jane Zoppas. Ufrgds Lacor; BrasilFil: Marchesini, Fernanda Albana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica ; ArgentinaFil: Bernardes, Andrea Moura. Ufrgds Lacor; Brasi

Quantifying ENSO impacts at the basin scale using the Iterative Input variable Selection algorithm

Medium-to-long range streamflow predictions provide a key assistance in anticipating hydro- climatic adverse events and prompting effective adaptation measures. In this context, recent modelling efforts have been dedicated to seasonal and inter-annual predictions based on the teleconnection between at-site hydrological processes and large-scale, low-frequency climate fluctuations, such as El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). This work proposes a novel procedure for first detecting the impact of ENSO on hydro-meteorological processes at the basin scale, and then quantitatively assessing the potential of ENSO indexes for building medium-to-long range streamflow prediction models. Core of this procedure is the adoption of the Iterative Input variable Selection (IIS) algorithm, which is employed to find the most relevant determinants of streamflow variability and derive predictive models based on the selected inputs. The procedure is tested on two different case studies, the Columbia River (US) and the Williams River (Australia), whose sensitivity to ENSO fluctuations has been documented in previous studies. Results show that IIS outcomes for both case studies are consistent with the results of previous analyses conducted with state-of-the-art detection methods, and that ENSO indexes can effectively be used in both regions to enhance the accuracy of streamflow prediction models

Una apuesta a la transversalización de los derechos humanos en la educación superior

El objetivo de esta presentación es describir de manera colectiva las experiencias en los procesos de intercambios, reflexiones y problematizaciones como tutoras en el Seminario de Posgrado virtual Derechos Humanos: Fundamentos y Perspectivas, en el marco del “Programa de Formación en Derechos Humanos para Docentes Universitarios”, organizado a partir del convenio de cooperación interinstitucional entre la Red Interuniversitaria de Derechos Humanos (RIDDHH) del Consejo Interuniversitario Nacional (CIN) y la Secretaría de Derechos Humanos del Ministerio de Justicia de la Nación.Universidad Nacional de La Plat

O assédio capacitista nas relações de trabalho

Os ambientes laborais costumam ser constituídos por pessoas diversas e as organizações têm procurado adequar-se a um modelo mais inclusivo, não só pelos aspectos legais que surgem a cada dia, mas, também, pelo seu aspecto de inovação, no sentido de abrangerem um leque maior de opções no que tange à diversidade da força de trabalho e ao seu potencial criativo. No entanto, pelo formato de abordagem seletiva, os resultados não têm sido promissores. O que tem ocorrido é um processo de assimilação ou adaptação, e não um processo de inclusão, se apagando as diferenças, dificultando a integração e impedindo que experiências e conhecimentos possam ser alavancados, havendo uma instrumentalização da gestão da diversidade. Como consequência dessa visão simplista, não existe uma preocupação com o acolhimento efetivo dessas diversidades no ambiente laboral. Daí, surge o fenômeno do capacitismo, qual seja, o preconceito atrelado às capacidades da pessoa com deficiência. Esse ensaio se destina a analisar o fenômeno do capacitismo nas relações de trabalho neoliberais e, de maneira mais específica, a possível ocorrência de assédio moral em vista deste, cunhando um novo conceito de assédio, o assédio capacitista

Nitrate reduction by electrochemical processes using copper electrode: Evaluating operational parameters aiming low nitrite formation

This work aims to present different electroreduction and electrocatalytic processes configurations to treat nitrate contaminated water. The parameters tested were: current density, cell potential, electrode potential, pH values, cell type and catalyst use. It was found that the nitrite ion is present in all process variations used, being the resulting nitrite concentration higher in an alkaline pH. The increase in current density on galvanostatic operation mode provides a greater reduction of nitrate (64%, 1.4 mA cm-2) if compared to the potentiostatic (20%) and constant cell potential (37%) configurations. In a dual-chamber cell the nitrate reduction with current density of 1.4 mA cm-2 was tested and obtained as a NO3- reduction of 85%. The use of single chamber cell presented 32 + 3% of nitrate reduction, indicating that in this cell type the nitrate reduction is smaller than in dual-chamber cell (64%). The presence of a Pd catalyst with 3.1% wt. decreased the nitrite (1.0 N-mg L-1) and increased the gaseous compounds (9.4 N-mg L-1) formation. The best configuration showed that, by fixing the current density, the highest nitrate reduction is obtained and the pH presents a significant influence during the tests. The use of the catalyst decreased the nitrite and enhanced the gaseous compounds formation.Fil: Beltrame, Thiago Favarini. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Miranda Zoppas, Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera". Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera"; ArgentinaFil: Ferreira, J. Z.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Marchesini, Fernanda Albana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera". Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera"; ArgentinaFil: Bernardes, Andrea Moura. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasi

Eficácia clínica da revascularização renal percutânea com implante de stent em pacientes com doença renovascular aterosclerótica

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous renal revascularization with stenting to control hypertension and preserve/restore renal function in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.Methods: From May:11999 to Octoher/2003, 46 patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) underwent revascularization with stenting. the indication for the procedure was hypertension control and/or renal function preservation/restoration. Clinical characteristics: age range: 33-84 years (median = 58.5 +/- 10.7), males: 26 (56.5%), 4 (10%) patients with dia betes mellitus, 21 (46%) patients with coronary artery disease, creatinine < 2.0mg/dl: 39 (60%), 6 patients (14%) with congestive heart failure, 20 (43%) patients with ostial stenosis and 15 (33%) patients with bilateral stenosis. Hypertension control was evaluated by the number of drugs used before the procedure and at follow-up (FU) and by blood pressure (BP) measurement.Results: the minimum follow-up was 7 months (range of 7-52, median: 23, mean: 24.2 +/- 15.2). There were no major complications. No patient experience any cardiovascular event. There was only one non-cadiac death (2%) and one technical failure in the treatment(2%). There was no serious complication in the procedure. None of the patients presented cardiovascular events. the renal function improved or stabilized in 32 patients (82%) and worsened in 4 (10%). the BP control improved in 19144 (43,8%) patients and worsened / stabilized in 6 patients (14%).Conclusion: Angioplasty with renal artery stenting for ARAS showed to be an effective treatment strategy to restore and preserve renal function and to control blood pressure.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Fdn Oswaldo Ramos, Hosp Rim & Hipertensao, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Fdn Oswaldo Ramos, Hosp Rim & Hipertensao, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Accuracy of parasitological and immunological tests for the screening of human schistosomiasis in immigrants and refugees from African countries: An approach with Latent Class Analysis

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is a neglected infection affecting millions of people, mostly living in sub-Saharan Africa. Morbidity and mortality due to chronic infection are relevant, although schistosomiasis is often clinically silent. Different diagnostic tests have been implemented in order to improve screening and diagnosis, that traditionally rely on parasitological tests with low sensitivity. Aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of different tests for the screening of schistosomiasis in African migrants, in a non endemic setting. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A retrospective study was conducted on 373 patients screened at the Centre for Tropical Diseases (CTD) in Negrar, Verona, Italy. Biological samples were tested with: stool/urine microscopy, Circulating Cathodic Antigen (CCA) dipstick test, ELISA, Western blot, immune-chromatographic test (ICT). Test accuracy and predictive values of the immunological tests were assessed primarily on the basis of the results of microscopy (primary reference standard): ICT and WB resulted the test with highest sensitivity (94% and 92%, respectively), with a high NPV (98%). CCA showed the highest specificity (93%), but low sensitivity (48%). The analysis was conducted also using a composite reference standard, CRS (patients classified as infected in case of positive microscopy and/or at least 2 concordant positive immunological tests) and Latent Class Analysis (LCA). The latter two models demonstrated excellent agreement (Cohen's kappa: 0.92) for the classification of the results. In fact, they both confirmed ICT as the test with the highest sensitivity (96%) and NPV (97%), moreover PPV was reasonably good (78% and 72% according to CRS and LCA, respectively). ELISA resulted the most specific immunological test (over 99%). The ICT appears to be a suitable screening test, even when used alone. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid test ICT was the most sensitive test, with the potential of being used as a single screening test for African migrants

The orphan nuclear receptor COUP-TFII coordinates hypoxia-independent proangiogenic responses in hepatic stellate cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) transdifferentiation into collagen-producing myofibroblasts is a key event in hepatic fibrogenesis, but the transcriptional network that controls the acquisition of the activated phenotype is still poorly understood. In this study, we explored whether the nuclear receptor chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) is involved in HSC activation and in the multifunctional role of these cells during the response to liver injury. METHODS: COUP-TFII expression was evaluated in normal and cirrhotic livers by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The role of COUP-TFII in HSC was assessed by gain and loss of function transfection experiments and by generation of mice with COUP-TFII deletion in HSC. Molecular changes were determined by gene expression microarray and RT-qPCR. RESULTS: We showed that COUP-TFII is highly expressed in human fibrotic liver and in mouse models of hepatic injury. COUP-TFII expression rapidly increased upon HSC activation and it was associated with the regulation of genes involved in cell motility, proliferation and angiogenesis. Inactivation of COUP-TFII impairs proliferation and invasiveness in activated HSC and COUP-TFII deletion in mice abrogate HSC activation and angiogenesis. Finally, co-culture experiments with HSC and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC) showed that COUP-TFII expression in HSC influenced SEC migration and tubulogenesis via a hypoxia-independent and nuclear factor κB-dependent mechanism. CONCLUSION: This study elucidates a novel transcriptional pathway in HSC that is involved in the acquisition of the proangiogenic phenotype and regulates the paracrine signals between HSC and SEC during hepatic wound healing. LAY SUMMARY: In this study, we identified an important regulator of HSC pathobiology. We showed that the orphan receptor COUP-TFII is an important player in hepatic neoangiogenesis. COUP-TFII expression in HSC controls the crosstalk between HSC and endothelial cells coordinating vascular remodelling during liver injury. TRANSCRIPT PROFILING: ArrayExpress accession E-MTAB-1795