Layout and modeling of a high temperature heat storage system for continuous operation of a solar reforming processes

Tese de mestrado integrado, Engenharia da Energia e do Ambiente, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2014This thesis comprises a model of a high temperature heat storage system, modelled in Aspen Custom Modeler®, to be implemented in a solar methane reforming plant model. The model is a 1D approximation and does not consider thermal losses. The pressure drop along the system is considered as well as the temperature dependency of the fluid properties. The system modeled is a sensible heat storage system and uses alumina ceramic honeycombs as storage material. The implementation of the storage system in a solar methane reforming plant will make possible to reduce the size of the plant, increase the operating period of the plant and achieve a constant annual output of the plant. The thesis also presents a short state of the art in heat storage systems. The main objective of the thesis is to model the heat storage system to be implemented in a continuous operation simulation and also determine a relation between the layout of the system and the operating time of the plant.Esta tese contém um modelo de um sistema de armazenamento térmico de alta temperatura, o software usado para criar o modelo foi Aspen Custom Modeler®, que será implementado num modelo de uma central de reformação solar de metano. O modelo é uma aproximação unidimensional e as perdas térmicas são desprezadas. A variação da pressão e as propriedades dependentes da temperatura são consideradas neste modelo. O sistema modelado é um sistema capaz de armazenar calor sob a forma de calor sensível usando cerâmica alumina como material armazenador. A implementação deste sistema numa central de reformação solar de metano irá permitir a redução do tamanho da central, permite aumentar as horas em operação ao longo do ano e permite que a central opere com um output constante durante todo o período em operação. Esta tese apresenta ainda um pequeno estudo do estado da tecnologia em sistema de armazenamento térmico. O principal objectivo da tese é a criação do modelo do sistema de armazenamento térmico em que permita a operação contínua durante a sua simulação. É também objectivo deste trabalho apresentar uma relação entre o dimensionamento do sistema (material necessário) e o período que a central opera

H1N1: overview and perspectives

The swine origin influenza virus A/CALIFORNIA/04/2009 (H1N1) was first detected in Mexico and determined the 2009 influenza pandemic. In August 2010, World Health Organization (WHO) declared the beginning of the post-pandemic period. This last pandemic was distinctly different from previous ones. The virus emerged from genetic rearrangement in non-human mammalian host. Moreover, its inter-species transmission is fully reported. However, it affected human population differently from previous pandemic viruses (1918, 1957, 1968), with increased morbidity and mortality among children and young adults. Currently, the virus has a seasonal pattern in the same way as influenza A H3N2 and influenza B, maintaining the same pathogenicity profile, clinical spectrum and sensitivity to antiviral agents. The strain was included in the annual trivalent seasonal vaccine formulation, mainly for risk groups, which are more vulnerable to complications caused by different influenza strains.O vírus influenza de origem suína, A/California/04/2009 (H1N1), foi inicialmente detectado no México e determinou a pandemia de influenza de 2009. Em agosto de 2010, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) declarou o início da fase pós-pandêmica. As características dessa última pandemia foram marcadamente diferentes das anteriores. O vírus emergiu de rearranjos genéticos originários em hospedeiro mamífero não humano, demonstrou transmissibilidade interespécies e afetou a população humana de forma diferente dos vírus pandêmicos anteriores (1918, 1957 e 1968) com maior morbidade e mortalidade em crianças e adultos jovens. Atualmente, o vírus apresenta padrão sazonal da mesma forma que o influenza A H3N2 e o influenza B, mantendo, até o momento, o mesmo perfil de patogenicidade, espectro clínico e sensibilidade a antivirais. A cepa foi incluída na vacina sazonal trivalente anual recomendada, principalmente para proteção dos grupos de risco mais vulneráveis a complicações pelas diferentes cepas de influenza.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de MedicinaUNIFESP, Depto. de MedicinaSciEL

Phyllanthus niruri as a promising alternative treatment for nephrolithiasis

In spite of considerable efforts to identify effective treatments for urolithiasis, this is a goal yet to be achieved. This review summarizes experimental and clinical data evaluating the effect of the plant Phyllanthus niruri, a plant with worldwide distribution, as a potential agent to prevent and/or to treat urolithiasis The review is based on data from the literature and on the results obtained by our group from either in vivo/in vitro experiments or clinical studies. Phyllanthus niruri has been shown to interfere with many stages of stone formation, reducing crystals aggregation, modifying their structure and composition as well as altering the interaction of the crystals with tubular cells leading to reduced subsequent endocytosis. The clinical beneficial effects of Phyllanthus niruri may be related to ureteral relaxation, helping to eliminate calculi or to clear fragments following lithotripsy, or also to a putative reduction of the excretion of urinary crystallization promoters such as calcium. No adverse renal, cardiovascular, neurological or toxic effects have been detected in either of these studies. Altogether, these studies suggest a preventive effect of Phyllanthus niruri in stone formation or elimination, but still longer-term randomized clinical trials are necessary to confirm its therapeutic properties.Federal University of São Paulo Renal DivisionUNIFESP, Renal DivisionSciEL

Relatos de resistência e autonomia: o controle sobre o trabalho docente segundo os professores de história/ Resistance and autonomy reports: control of teaching work according to history teachers

Com o objetivo de sistematizar o que deve ser ensinado e como ser ensinado, o governo paulista criou o seu próprio sistema de ensino. Pela resolução número 92 da Secretaria da Educação, em 19 de Dezembro de 2007, estabeleceram-se diretrizes para a organização curricular do Ensino Fundamental e Médio nas escolas Estaduais paulistas. A Proposta curricular do Estado de São Paulo baseia-se em um currículo uniforme com materiais didáticos próprios – caderno do aluno e caderno do professor – elaborados para todos os níveis de ensino. Visa-se, com a proposta curricular, atingir as metas de qualidade de ensino lançadas, até 2010, pela atual gestão do governo paulista.  Em meio a mudanças significativas no seio da escola pública, a pesquisa centrou-se no projeto pedagógico São Paulo faz escola, responsável pela viabilidade da proposta curricular. Com base na voz e prática do professor(a) de história traçou-se o impacto das mudanças trazidas pelo novo currículo na sala de aula. Por meio de entrevista realizada com professores de História da rede público foram analisados os materiais didáticos assinados pelo governo paulista, e o seu uso em sala de aula. De que modo foi recebido pelo professorado os materiais didáticos? Qual lugar ocupa o livro didático na sala de aula? Será o professor apenas um executor? Com esses indicativos, a pesquisa permite evidenciar em curto prazo os primeiros resultados do projeto São Paulo faz escola, assim como, o posicionamento dos professores diante das novas mudanças

Heterogeneity of glomerular perfusion and filtration induced by epinephrine and norepinephrine

The role of catecholamines in the distribution of intrarenal blood flow and in single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) was evaluated in anesthetized Wistar rats by the Hanssen technique. Epinephrine (EPI) and norepinephrine (NOR) were infused to produce elevations of 20-30 mmHg in mean arterial pressure. Superficial and juxtamedullary nephron perfusion and filtration were determined by the presence of Prussian blue dye. In the control group, 100% of the nephrons presented a homogeneous pattern of perfusion and filtration. In contrast, a heterogeneous distribution of the dye was found even in the larger arteries (arciform and radial), indicating variable perfusion and filtration in both superficial and juxtamedullary nephrons. The effects of EPI and NOR were also evaluated in the superficial cortex by the micropuncture technique in two additional groups of Munich-Wistar rats. Mean SNGFR was 27% and 54% lower in the EPI- and NOR-treated groups, respectively. No change in mean intraglomerular hydraulic pressure was observed after EPI or NOR infusion in spite of a highly scattered pattern, indicating an important variability in perfusion along the superficial cortex, and/or different sensitivity of the pre- and post-glomerular arterioles. The present data suggest that EPI and NOR may affect intrarenal hemodynamics by modifying perfusion and filtration in both superficial and juxtamedullary glomeruli and not by shifting blood flow from superficial to juxtamedullary nephrons. The heterogeneous pattern of perfusion was a consequence of differential vasoconstriction along the intrarenal arteries, probably due to different density and/or sensitivity of the adrenergic receptor subtypes present in the intrarenal vascular tree.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Efeito da hipóxia e reoxigenação na resposta à angiotensina II em células mesangiais in vitro

INTRODUCTION: Mesangial cells (MC) may be involved in the glomerular alterations induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the response of immortalized MC (IMC) to 30 minutes of hypoxia followed by reoxygenation periods of 30 minutes (H/R30) or 24 hours (H/R24). METHODS: The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca+2]i) was measured before (baseline) and after adding angiotensin II (AII, 10-5 M) in the presence and absence of glybenclamide (K ATP channel blocker). We estimated the level of intracellular ATP, nitric oxide (NO) and PGE2. RESULTS: ATP concentration decreased after hypoxia and increased after reoxygenation. Hypoxia and H/R induced increases in basal [Ca+2]i. AII induced increases in [Ca+2]i in normoxia (97 ± 9%), hypoxia (72 ± 10%) or HR30 (85 ± 17%) groups, but there was a decrease in the response to AII in group H/R24 since the elevation in [Ca+2]i was significantly lower than in control (61 ± 10%, p < 0.05). Glybenclamide did not modify this response. It was observed a significant increase in NO generation after 24 hours of reoxygenation, but no difference in PGE2 production was observed. Data suggest that H/R injury is characterized by increased basal [Ca+2]i and by an impairment in the response of cells to AII. Results suggest that the relative insensibility to AII may be at least in part mediated by NO but not by prostaglandins or vasodilator K ATP channels. CONCLUSION: H/R caused dysfunction in IMC characterized by increases in basal [Ca+2]i during hypoxia and reduction in the functional response to AII during reoxygenation.INTRODUÇÃO: Células mesangiais (CM) podem estar envolvidas na lesão glomerular induzida por hipoxia/reperfusão (H/R). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a resposta de CM imortalizadas (CMI) à hipoxia por 30 minutos seguida de reoxigenação por 30 minutos (H/R30) ou 24 horas (H/R24). MÉTODOS: Concentração de cálcio intracelular ([Ca+2]i) foi avaliada antes (basal) e após a adição de angiotensina II (AII, 10-5 M), na presença e na ausência de glibenclamida (bloqueador de canais K ATP). Foram estimados o nível de ATP intracelular, de óxido nítrico (NO) e de PGE2. RESULTADOS: Nível de ATP diminuiu após hipóxia e aumentou após a reoxigenação. H/R induziu aumento na [Ca+2]i basal. A AII elevou a [Ca+2]i nas condições de normoxia (97 ± 9%), hipoxia (72 ± 10%) ou HR30 (85 ± 17%), porém no grupo H/R24, houve diminuição significativa na resposta à AII, uma vez que a elevação da [Ca+2]i foi mais baixa do que no controle (61 ± 10%, p < 0,05). Glibenclamida não alterou esta resposta. Houve um aumento significativo na geração de NO após 24 horas de reoxigenação, mas não foi observada nenhuma diferença na produção de PGE2. Os dados indicam que a injuria celular causada pela hipoxia/reoxigenação é caracterizada pelo aumento na [Ca+2]i basal e por uma diminuição na reatividade celular à AII. Resultados sugerem que a insensibilidade ao agonista constritor pode ser pelo menos em parte, mediada pelo NO, mas não pelas prostaglandinas ou por canais K ATP. CONCLUSÃO: H/R resultou em disfunção das CMI, caracterizada pelo aumento na [Ca+2]i basal durante a hipóxia e redução da resposta funcional a AII durante a reoxigenação.Federal University of São PauloUNIFESPSciEL

Mesangial Cells Cultured from Pregnant Rats Display Reduced Reactivity to Angiotensin II: the Role of Relaxin, Nitric Oxide and AT2 Receptor

Background/Aims: Pregnancy is characterized by vasodilatation and increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), despite overstimulation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS). the mesangial cells (MCs) influences GFR and when cultured from pregnant rats displays refractoriness to Ang II. We evaluated the role of relaxin (RLX) and its receptor (RXFP1), nitric oxide (NO) and the AT2 receptor in this response. Methods: MCs cultured from kidneys of virgin (V) and pregnant (P) Wistar rats were treated with RLX or AT2 receptor blocker PD123319 or NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME. After 24 hr, intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca]i) was recorded before and after the addition of Ang II. Results: MCs from V group expressed AT2, RLX and RXFP1, whose levels were increased in P cells. Ang II induced a 150% increase in [Ca]i in the V cells and 85% (p<0.05) in the P cells. V cells treated with RLX displayed a similar response to that observed in P cells, suggesting that RLX can modulate the reactivity of the MCs to Ang II. L-NAME and PD123319 did not interfere in this response. Conclusion: Results suggest that RLX is a mediator of the refractoriness of the MCs to Ang II during pregnancy. Copyright (c) 2012 S. Karger AG, BaselFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundacao Oswaldo Ramos (FOR)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Renal, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Renal, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

High glucose concentration stimulates intracellular renin activity and angiotensin II generation in rat mesangial cells

Increased intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activity contributes to diabetic nephropathy. ANG II generation in mesangial cells (MC) is increased by high-glucose (HG) exposure. This study assessed the mechanisms involved in the glucose-induced ANG II generation in rat MC. Under basal conditions, MC mainly secreted prorenin. HG decreased prorenin secretion and induced a striking 30-fold increase in intracellular renin activity. After 72 h of HG exposure, only the mRNA levels for angiotensinogen and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) were significantly elevated. However, after shorter periods of 24 h of HG stimulation the mRNA levels of the enzymes prorenin and cathepsin B, besides that for ACE, were significantly increased. the results suggest that the HG-induced increase in ANG II generation in MC results from an increase in intracellular renin activity mediated by at least three factors: a time-dependent stimulation of ( pro) renin gene transcription, a reduction in prorenin enzyme secretion, and an increased rate of conversion of prorenin to active renin, probably mediated by cathepsin B. the increase in angiotensinogen mRNA in parallel to increased renin activity indicates that HG also increased the availability of the renin substrate. the consistent upregulation of ACE mRNA suggests that, besides renin, ACE is directly involved in the increased mesangial ANG II generation induced by HG.UNIFESP, Div Renal, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, Div Renal, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Role of the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla in the Arterial Hypertension in Chronic Renal Failure

Sympathetic activation in chronic renal failure (CRF) is a major mechanism leading to the progression of renal disease and hypertension. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that in CRF increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the RVLM mediated by enhanced circulating Angiotensin II (Ang II) is an important mechanism leading to hypertension in CRF. In CRF rats we found an increase in the abundance of p47phox and gp91phox mRNA within the RVLM associated with a reduction of Ang II type 1 receptors (AT1) mRNA in the brainstem compared to controls (C). Tempol but not candesartan into the RVLM decreased MAP in CRF but not in C rats. GABA into the RVLM decreased MAP in CRF (63 ± 8 mmHg) more intensely than in C (33 ± 3 mmHg). The results suggest that increased oxidative stress within the RVLM has an important participation to maintain hypertension in CRF rats apparently independently of AT1 Ang II receptors