Flow injection analysis using carbon film resistor electrodes for amperometric determination of ambroxol

Flow injection analysis (FIA) using a carbon film sensor for amperometric detection was explored for ambroxol analysis in pharmaceutical formulations. The specially designed flow cell designed in the lab generated sharp and reproducible current peaks, with a wide linear dynamic range from 5 × 10-7 to 3.5 × 10-4 mol L-1, in 0.1 mol L-1 sulfuric acid electrolyte, as well as high sensitivity, 0.110 A mol-1 L cm-2 at the optimized flow rate. A detection limit of 7.6 × 10-8 mol L-1 and a sampling frequency of 50 determinations per hour were achieved, employing injected volumes of 100 [mu]L and a flow rate of 2.0 mL min-1. The repeatability, expressed as R.S.D. for successive and alternated injections of 6.0 × 10-6 and 6.0 × 10-5 mol L-1 ambroxol solutions, was 3.0 and 1.5%, respectively, without any noticeable memory effect between injections. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of ambroxol in pharmaceutical samples and the results obtained were compared with UV spectrophotometric and acid-base titrimetric methods. Good agreement between the results utilizing the three methods and the labeled values was achieved, corroborating the good performance of the proposed electrochemical methodology for ambroxol analysis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6THP-4RW434G-1/1/d40a3f00a2eaccb84817b064f601d0f

Greenhouse gas emissions on the treatment of swine slurry by composting.

The treatment of swine manure through composting is seen as an alternative to minimize environmental impact and im prove nutrient recycling. However, the degradation of organic matter during the composting process promotes greenhouse gas emissions (GHG: CO2, CH4, N2O), NH3 and water vapor. The objective of this study was to measure the flux of these gases to perform the mass balance (DM, TN, C and P) of composting piles. Three compost piles (3 m3, initial mass .935 kg of sawdust and slurry) were mounted inside PVC tunnels with controlled ventilation (flow 1.526 m3 /h). We evaluated temperatures and humidity (Datalogger TESTO 174H) inside and outside the tunnels and inside the biomass (TESTO Mod. 926, Type T), performed physical-chemical analysis of compost and measured GHG, NH3 and water vapor emissions every 4 min through infra red photoacoustic spectroscopy (INNOVA 1412). The average temperature observed in the biomass during composting was 45.53 ± 5.48ºC. The average H2O balance error (between input and output) recorded was 5.52%. Gaseo us losses of N-NH3 and N-N2O totaled 1.21 kg, representing 10.4% of the original 11.63 kg of N applied in the compost piles. NH3represented 78% of measured total N gaseous losses(NH3+N2O). The total C emitted as CH4 and CO2 gases totaled 80.96 kg, representing 40.2% of the original 201.28 kg of TOC in compost piles (sawdust+slurry). CO2 emission accounted for 97% of total C losses. Considering the global warming potential (GWP) of each GHG, 615.3 kg of CO2 eq were emitted duringcomposting. CO2 emissions accounted for 46.8% of total CO2 eq emission, while CH4 and N2O represented 11.1 and 42.2%, respectively. Mitigation of CH4, and especially N2 O emissions, during composting is critical due to the higher GPW of the se gases. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms (Escherichia coli and coli form bacteria) was observed in the input slurry, but those microorganisms were not detected in the final compost. It was possible to accurately measure and verify gas emissions with the association of direct measurements and mass balance.Edited by Mélynda Hassouna and Nadine Guingand

Determination of the surface charge density of a mercury electrode by extrusion: a new method for correction of the faradaic component

The accurate determination of the surface charge density at the mercury | solution interface by the method of extrusion of mercury drops is impaired by the faradaic current caused by traces of electroactive species. This paper describes a new design of a hanging mercury drop electrode with accurate control of the extruded electrode area, to within 0.1%, together with a new and reliable procedure for correction of the faradaic current. The procedure is based on first obtaining the correction parameters in the presence of increasing amounts of electroactive species and then using these parameters for correction of the faradaic component so as to obtain the surface charge density of the electrode. Implementation of the method with a microcomputer controlled system provides automatic acquisition of corrected electrode charge density values as a function of the electrode potential. The results obtained with this new method are in excellent agreement with those obtained by other methods, as illustrated for aqueous sodium fluoride solution.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TGB-3WS6M1X-4/1/959396100ce50f29fe3e81cc9a42242

Projeto tecnologias sociais para a gestão da água ? TSGA: contribuição para a gestão participativa da água.

Projeto: 06.09.06.001

Greenhouse gas emissions in the treatment of laying hen farm residues by in-vessel composting with forced aeration.

Edited by Mélynda Hassouna and Nadine Guingand

Barriers to self-care among diabetes patients: A qualitative study

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant global health issue, with its prevalence continuing to rise in Indonesia. Self-care is a key component in managing DM, yet many patients face various obstacles in its implementation. This study aims to deeply explore the challenges faced by individuals with type 2 diabetes in managing their condition independently. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the study analyzes the experiences of seven diabetes patients receiving care at Royal Prima Hospital. The social ecological model serves as the analytical framework to identify factors influencing self-care behavior, including individual internal factors, interpersonal relationships, healthcare systems, and the social environment. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings reveal several barriers to effective self-care in diabetes management. Firstly, at the individual level, a lack of knowledge, limited resources, non-adherence to medication, and financial constraints were major obstacles. Secondly, insufficient social support and misinformation about alternative treatments also influenced patient behavior. Thirdly, at the healthcare service level, long waiting times and inadequate social support were identified as challenges. Lastly, limited accessibility due to transportation issues and community resource constraints further hindered self-care. Patients require comprehensive education, easy access to medical tools, and psychological support to manage their condition effectively. Families and communities must be equipped with accurate knowledge about diabetes and trained to support patients. Healthcare providers should improve service quality by adopting a holistic approach and collaborating with communities to ensure optimal care. With collective efforts, it is hoped that the quality of life for diabetes patients can improve, and complications resulting from the disease can be prevented