Application of RIAM to the environmental impact assessment of hydroelectric installations

This paper evaluates an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) using the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM). It analyses and presents in a structured, friendly and transparent environment the numerous parameters and alternatives of an EIA. It considers all 4 components: physical / chemical, biological / ecological, social / cultural, economic / operational. These are then evaluated using universal criteria common to all impact consideration. Figures and tables made comparisons much easier. This Matrix was applied to the EIA of the future Vale de Madeira Hydroelectric Installation that will be situated on the River Côa of the Douro River Basin in the Municipalities of Pinhel and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, North of Portugal. It will be shown that such a project will be positive economically but negative otherwise (as related to the other three components evaluated in RIAM)

Indicadores econômicos da produção orgânica de minitomate em casas de vegetação

Financial profitability is a factor as important as quantifying production using new technologies. This study was installed to evaluate short and long term financial viability of organic production of cherry tomatoes. Plants were grown in a greenhouse under diverse technological degrees for partial control of micrometeorological elements. The experiment was carried out at the experimental field FEAGRI/UNICAMP in three greenhouses with automated mechanical ventilation systems, evaporative cooling and thermo reflective screen. We cultivated Carolina cultivar in a spacing of 0.5x0.9 m, each plant conducted with two stems, under organic production and fertilization management. The average of production data of treatments {three greenhouses (A= climate-controlled, B= mobile screen and C= fixed screen), two cultivation systems (pots and soil beds) and five biofertilizer doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200%)} were evaluated using joint analysis. Thus, the economic indicators {cost benefit ratio (B/C), net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and Payback (PV)} were evaluated through revenues and production costs. The best alternative to net monthly cycle profitability (500 m2) was approximately 1 and 1.5 minimum wage with and without particular labor, respectively, associated with the greenhouse of medium technological level, using soil bed cultivation system. The economic viability of the project in long-term interest rates above 3% (a.a) was consistent, but the payback period even with a rate of 1% a.a was high (6.54 years) in financing conditions.362246252A rentabilidade financeira é um fator tão importante quanto quantificar a produção utilizando novas tecnologias. Assim, objetivou-se analisar em curto e longo prazo a rentabilidade financeira da produção orgânica de minitomates em casas de vegetação com diferentes graus tecnológicos de controle parcial dos elementos micrometeorológicos. O experimento foi desenvolvido no campo experimental da FEAGRI/UNICAMP (SP) em três casas de vegetação com sistemas automatizados de ventilação mecânica, resfriamento evaporativo e tela termorrefletora, sendo estas cultivadas com a cultivar Carolina em espaçamento 0,5x0,9 m em duas hastes, e manejo da produção e adubação orgânica. As médias dos dados de produção dos tratamentos {três casas de vegetação (A= climatizada, B= tela móvel e C= tela fixa), duas formas de cultivo (vasos e canteiros) e cinco doses de biofertilizante (0, 50, 100, 150, e 200%)} foram avaliadas em análise conjunta. Assim, avaliou-se através das receitas e custos de produção os indicadores econômicos {relação benefício custo (B/C), valor presente líquido (VPL), Taxa interna de retorno (TIR) e Payback (PV)}. De acordo com os resultados, a melhor alternativa de rentabilidade líquida mensal ciclo (500 m2) foi de aproximadamente 1 e 1,5 salários mínimo para a condição com e sem mão de obra particular, respectivamente, associado à casa de vegetação de médio grau tecnológico, utilizando a forma de cultivo em canteiros. A viabilidade econômica do projeto em longo prazo a taxas de juros acima de 3% (a.a) mostrou-se consistente, porém o período de payback mesmo à taxa de juros 1% a.a foi elevada (6,54 anos) em condições de financiamento

Understanding the phase and solvation behavior of fluorinated ionic liquids

the contract of Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus 2021.01432.CEECIND (A.B.P.) Additional partial support has been provided by Khalifa University of Science and Technology through project RC2-2019-007. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The AuthorsFluorinated ionic liquids (FILs) are defined as molecules having fluorinated tags equal to or longer than 4 carbon atoms in the anion and/or cation structures. They present nanosegregated domains making them 3-in-1 solvents with exceptional properties, including an attractive solubility power. This work is an important contribution towards understanding the current research on the phase behavior of FILs, which may be used as task-specific materials for industrial applications. An overview of the main works published in the last two decades is presented, concerning gas solubility in FILs, the application of membranes to improve the gas absorption in FILs, and the use of modeling approaches to ease the application of FILs in gas capture and separation processes, with emphasis on the relationship between the structural properties and their performance. Contributions concerning the liquid-liquid and solid-liquid equilibria behavior of FILs, including the liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE) of FILs in water and perfluoroalkanes, and the solid-liquid equilibria (SLE) of solid FILs in water and mixtures of FILs are also presented. Regarding the absorption of gases in FILs, a careful analysis of the published works reveals that: (1) an optimal density of fluorine atoms in FILs structure is required to positively impact the absorption of different gases, (2) the functionalization of membranes can be also a useful method to improve the performance in separation processes, and (3) modeling tools can ease the screening of the features that promote the absorption of gases by FILs. The study of FILs LLE showed a rich phase behavior with water and perfluoroalkanes and the enhanced surfactant power of FILs, which is highly dependent on the length of the hydrogenated and fluorinated side chains. Finally, studying the SLE of FILs mixtures allowed the formation of deep eutectic systems that enlarges the applicability of FILs.publishersversionpublishe

Magnetoliposomes based on magnetite nanoparticles

In this work, magnetic nanoparticles of magnetite were prepared by soft chemical methods, using different surfactants as templating media. These nanoparticles were either covered with a lipid bilayer, forming dry magnetoliposomes, or entrapped in liposomes - aqueous magnetoliposomes.FCT, FEDER, COMPETE/QREN/EU for financial support to CFUM (Strategic Project PEst-C/FIS/UI0607/2011) and to the research project PTDC/QUI/81238/2006 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007467)

Impact of a virtual reality-based simulation on empathy and attitudes toward Schizophrenia

Virtual Reality (VR) has been identified as one of the most promising resources for developing empathy towards stigmatized groups as it allows individuals to experience a situation close to reality from another person’s perspective. This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the impact on empathy, knowledge, and attitudes towards people with schizophrenia of a VR simulation that reproduces the experience of psychotic symptoms while performing a cognitive task compared with watching a 2D video and, thus, how these experiences could reduce stigma towards people diagnosed with schizophrenia. The sample comprised of 102 higher education health students, distributed by the experimental and control groups. The impact of the program was measured by completing multiple questionnaires on levels of empathy, attitudes, and mental health knowledge. Both methods (VR and 2D video) were, to a certain extent, effective. However, VR was more effective at eliciting attitudes and knowledge change compared to the control group. These findings suggest that not only VR but also 2D videos could be interesting strategies to enhance empathy and improve attitudes towards people with schizophrenia in higher education health students.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Magnetic liposomes based on nickel ferrite and manganese ferrite nanoparticles for biomedical applications

In this work, nickel ferrite and manganese ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. These nanoparticles were incorporated in liposomes for biomedical applications.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Genome mining of endophytic streptomyces wadayamensis reveals high antibiotic production capability

The actinobacteria Streptomyces wadayamensis A23, an endophitic strain, was recently sequenced and previous work showed qualitatively that the strain inhibits the growth of some pathogens. Herein we report the genome analysis of S. wadayamensis which reveals several antibiotic biosynthetic pathways. Using mass spectrometry, we were able to identify desferoxamines, several antimycins and candicidin, as predicted. Additionally, it was possible to confirm that the biosynthetic machinery of the strain when compared to identified known metabolites is far underestimated. As suggested by biochemical qualitative tests, genome encoded information reveals that the strain A23 has high capability to produce antibiotics.The actinobacteria Streptomyces wadayamensis A23, an endophitic strain, was recently sequenced and previous work showed qualitatively that the strain inhibits the growth of some pathogens. Herein we report the genome analysis of S. wadayamensis which reve27814651475FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2014/12727-5; 2010/51677-2; 2013/12598-8; 2015/01013-4162191/2015-4; 130933/2015-5We gratefully acknowledge FAPESP (project grant 2014/12727-5 to L. G. O. and 2010/51677-2 to M. N. E.), PETROBRAS (grant 4712-0), and the University of Campinas. C. F. F. A. and B. S. P. acknowledges CNPq (studentships 162191/2015-4 and 130933/2015-5). A

Pullulan microneedle patches for the efficient transdermal administration of insulin envisioning diabetes treatment

The present study reports the fabrication of dissolvable microneedle (MN) patches using pullulan (PL), a water-soluble polysaccharide with excellent film-forming ability, for the transdermal administration of insulin, envisioning the non-invasive treatment of diabetes. PL MNs patches were successfully prepared by micromoulding and revealed good thermal stability (Tdmax = 294 °C) and mechanical properties (>0.15 N needle-1), penetrating skin up to 381 μm depth, as revealed by in vitro skin tests. After application into human abdominal skin in vitro, the MNs dissolved within 2 h releasing up to 87% of insulin. When stored at 4, 20 and 40 °C for 4 weeks, insulin was able to retain its secondary structure, as shown by circular dichroism spectropolarimetry. The prepared PL MNs were non-cytotoxic towards human keratinocytes, being suitable for skin application. These findings suggest that PL MNs have potential to deliver insulin transdermally, thus avoiding its subcutaneous administration.publishe

Development of pH-Sensitive magnetoliposomes containing shape anisotropic nanoparticles for potential application in combined cancer therapy

Late diagnosis and systemic toxicity associated with conventional treatments make oncological therapy significantly difficult. In this context, nanomedicine emerges as a new approach in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this work, pH-sensitive solid magnetoliposomes (SMLs) were developed for controlled release of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX). Shape anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles of magnesium ferrite with partial substitution by calcium (Mg0.75Ca0.25Fe2O4) were synthesized, with and without calcination, and their structural, morphological and magnetic properties were investigated. Their superparamagnetic properties were evaluated and heating capabilities proven, either by exposure to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) (magnetic hyperthermia) or by irradiation with near-infrared (NIR) light (photothermia). The Mg0.75Ca0.25Fe2O4 calcined nanoparticles were selected to integrate the SMLs, surrounded by a lipid bilayer of DOPE:Ch:CHEMS (45:45:10). DOX was encapsulated in the nanosystems with an efficiency above 98%. DOX release assays showed a much more efficient release of the drug at pH = 5 compared to the release kinetics at physiological pH. By subjecting tumor cells to DOX-loaded SMLs, cell viability was significantly reduced, confirming that they can release the encapsulated drug. These results point to the development of efficient pH-sensitive nanocarriers, suitable for a synergistic action in cancer therapy with magnetic targeting, stimulus-controlled drug delivery and dual hyperthermia (magnetic and plasmonic) therapy.This work was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) within the framework of the Strategic Funding of Research Units UIDB/04650/2020 (CF-UM-UP), UIDB/00319/2020 (ALGORITMI), UIDB/04077/2020 (MEtRICs), UIDB/04436/2020 (CMEMS) and UIDB/00511/2020 (LEPABE). FCT, POCI, FEDER and NORTE2020 are acknowledged for funding through research projects PTDC/QUI-QFI/28020/2017, EXPL/EMD-EMD/0650/2021, PTDC/EEI-EEE/2846/2021 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000054. MINECO (Spain) is acknowledged for project MAT2016-76824-C3-2-R. B.D.C. and V.M.C. acknowledge FCT for PhD grants SFRH/BD/141936/2018 (B.D.C.) and UI/BD/151028/2021 (V.M.C.). R.O.R. thanks FCT for contract 2020.03975.CEECIND

Magnetoliposomes based on manganese ferrite nanoparticles as nanocarriers for antitumor drugs

Publicado em "NanoPT2016 book of abstracts"In this work, manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles with superparamagnetic behaviour at room temperature and size distribution of 26 ± 5 nm, were obtained by coprecipitation method. Structural and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated by XRD, HR-TEM and SQUID. The synthesized NPs were either entrapped in liposomes, originating aqueous magnetoliposomes (AMLs), or covered with a lipid bilayer, forming solid magnetoliposomes (SMLs).This work was supported by FEDER through the COMPETE/QREN/EU Program and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Projects of CFUM [PEst-C/FIS/UI0607/2013 (F-COMP-01-0124-FEDER-022711)] and CQ/UM [PEst-C/QUI/UI0686/2013 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER -022716)]. FCT, POPH-QREN and FSE are acknowledged for the PhD grant of A.R.O. Rodrigues (SFRH/BD/90949/2012) and for financial support to MAP-Fis PhD Programme