Biodiesel from wastewater: lipid production in high rate algal pond receiving disinfected effluent

The production of different species of microalgae in consortium with other micro-organisms from wastewaters may represent an alternative process, to reduce the costs, for obtaining biofuels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pre-ultraviolet disinfection (UV) in the production of lipids from biomass produced in high rate ponds. Two high rate algal ponds were evaluated: a pond that received domestic sewage without disinfection and the other receiving domestic sewage previously disinfected by UV radiation (uvHRAP). The UV disinfection did not lead to significant differences in fatty acid profile and total lipid productivities, although it increased algal biomass concentration and productivity as well as lipid content. Moreover, the overall biomass concentrations and productivities decreased with the UV disinfection, mostly as a consequence of a loss in bacterial load. We thus conclude that uvHRAP disinfection may represent a potential strategy to promote the cleaner and safer growth of algal biomass when cultivated in consortium with other microorganisms. Mainly regarding the use of wastewater as culture medium, together with a cheaper production of lipids for biodiesel, pre-disinfection may represent an advance since extraction costs could be significantly trimmed due to the increase in lipid content

Hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass produced from domestic sewage treatment in high-rate ponds

ABSTRACT: This study evaluates the application of biomass produced from the treatment of domestic sewage in high-rate ponds (HRPs) as feedstock for the production of bio-oil via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). The effects of reaction time, temperature, and biomass/water ratio on the yield of bio-oil were assessed. In addition, a balance of carbon and nitrogen among the products (bio-oil, aqueous phase, solid residue, and gas) was carried out, in order to evaluate the quality of the bio-oil and possibilities for increasing value from the byproducts. In a 15-min operation at 300 degrees C with biomass/water ratio of 1/10 (w.w(-1)), the bio-oil yield was of 44.4% (Dry Ash Free - daf-basis). Under every condition tested, the solid residue was the most abundant byproduct, mostly due to the high ash content in the biomass. The minimum nitrogen recovery in the bio-oil was 57%, obtained in the operation at 275 degrees C, which is considered the main disadvantage of the process. The use of biomass directly after its production may result in an excessive consumption of energy due to the high water content. However, the need for drying is reduced when compared to other microalgal-based bioenergy production processes, potentially achieving a positive energy balance in the HTL.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A step test to assess exercise-related oxygen desaturation in interstitial lung disease

A 6-min step test (6MST) may constitute a practical method for routinely assessing effort tolerance and exercise-related oxyhaemoglobin desaturation (ERD) in the primary care of patients with interstitial lung disease.In total, 31 patients (19 males) with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis I and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonia were submitted, on different days, to two 6MSTs. Physiological responses were compared with those found on maximal and submaximal cycle ergometer tests at the same oxygen uptake I Chronic breathlessness was also determined, as measured by the baseline dyspnoea index (BDI).Responses to 6MST were highly reproducible: 1.3 +/- 2.0 steps(.)min(-1), +/- 5 beats(.)min(-1) (cardiac frequency), +/- 50 mL(.)min(-1) (V'O-2), +/- 7 L(.)min(-1) (minute ventilation) and +/- 2% (arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (Sp,O-2)). the number of steps climbed in 6 min was correlated to peak V'O-2 and the BDI. There were significant associations among the tests in relation to presence (change in Sp,O-2 between rest and exercise >= 4%) and severity (Sp,O-2 < 88%) of ERD. Four patients, however, presented ERD only in response to 6MST. Resting diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide and alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference were the independent predictors of the number of steps climbed.A single-stage, self-paced 6-min step test provided reliable and reproducible estimates of exercise capacity and exercise-related oxyhaemoglobin desaturation in interstitial lung disease patients.UNIFESP, EPM, Dept Med,SEFICE, Div Resp,Pulm Funct & Clin Exercise Physiol Unit, BR-04020050 São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, EPM, Dept Med,SEFICE, Div Resp,Pulm Funct & Clin Exercise Physiol Unit, BR-04020050 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Lean Office and digital transformation: a case study in a services company

- Highlights: a high percentage of the Western world workforce works in offices; Value Stream Map, a lean tool, allows waste identification in services companies; Lean Management helps companies to prepare for digital transformation; there is scarce scientific literature ondigital transformation and Lean Office. -Goal: thepurpose of this article is to report the implementation of Lean Office and digital transformation in a services company. - Design / Methodology / Approach: the research method was a qualitative approach, with literature review followed by a case study, and data collected until September 19, 2018. - Results: the comparative results between current and future Value Stream Maps showed consistent improvements in terms of performance indicators. The lead time is expected to fall from 101 hours to 64,65 hours under normal conditions, and from 221 hours to 114,65 hours if there is a need to bypass through process # 6. - Limitations of the investigation: there are limitations in this study.Basically, the time frame until the digitalization of the processes # 1, 2, 3 and 6 have been completed, in order to allow the comparison with the original expectations described in the VSM of the future state. - Practical implications: it was possible to demonstrate how the implementation of Lean principles, techniques, and tools can bring benefits to an IoT solutions provider. - Originality / Value: no records were found on Scopus and Web of Science databases for the search sentence "digital transformation" AND "lean Office", representing a gap to be filled with this study

The pattern and timing of breathing during incremental exercise: a normative study

Clinical evaluation of the pattern and timing of breathing during submaximal exercise can be valuable for the identification of the mechanical ventilatory consequences of different disease processes and for assessing the efficacy of certain interventions.Sedentary individuals (60 male/60 female, aged 20-80 yrs) were randomly selected from >8,000 subjects and submitted to ramp incremental cycle ergometry. Tidal volume (V-T)/ resting inspiratory capacity, respiratory frequency, total respiratory time (Trot), inspiratory time (T-I), expiratory time (T-E), duty cycle (TI/Ttot) and mean inspiratory flow (V-T/T-I) were analysed at selected submaximal ventilatory intensities.Senescence and female sex were associated with a more tachypnoeic breathing pattern during isoventilation. the decline in T-tot was proportional to the TI and TE P reductions, i.e. T-I/T-tot was remarkably constant across age strata, independent of sex. the pattern, but not timing, of breathing was also influenced by weight and height; a set of demographically and anthropometrically based prediction equations are therefore presented.These data provide a frame of reference for assessing the normality of some clinically useful indices of the pattern and timing of breathing during incremental cycle ergometry in sedentary males and females aged 20-80 yrs.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Pulmonary Funct & Clin Exercise Physiol Unit, Div Resp, Dept Med,Paulista Sch Med, BR-04020050 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Glasgow, Ctr Exercise Sci & Med, Inst Biol & Life Sci, Glasgow, Lanark, ScotlandUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Pulmonary Funct & Clin Exercise Physiol Unit, Div Resp, Dept Med,Paulista Sch Med, BR-04020050 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Uso de la metribuzina, asociado con diferentes fertilizantes foliares, en cultivos de zanahoria

1 recurso en línea (páginas 351-358) : ilustraciones color.This study aimed to evaluate the use of different foliar fertilizers, associated or not associated with metribuzin, in terms of carrot yield. The experiments were carried out over two crop years with treatments in a 2×4 factorial scheme. The first factor was the absence or presence of metribuzin (0 and 288 g ha-1 a.i.) and the second factor was the foliar fertilizers: FertiG, FertiB, sucrose and no application. In crop year 1, the commercial yield increased with FertiG with metribuzin, and the forked/total discard ratio decreased when the foliar fertilizers were applied together with metribuzin. The isolated metribuzin decreased the total yield and the commercial/total yield ratio in crop year 1; however, the stress was attenuated when FertiG was applied. In crop year 2, the metribuzin, isolated or associated with FertiG, increased the commercial yield. The FertiB decreased the forked/total discard ratio. The metribuzin, isolated or associated with FertiG, and FertiB obtained similar results for the commercial/total yield ratio in crop year 2. FertiG satisfactorily attenuated the stress caused by metribuzin in the carrot plants, with a positive effect on the commercial yield of the carrot crop.El objetivo del estudio evaluó el uso de diferentes fertilizantes foliares asociados, y no asociados con metribuzina, sobre la productividad de zanahoria. Los experimentos se realizaron en dos ciclos de cultivo con un arreglo factorial 2×4 de los tratamientos. El primer factor fue la ausencia y presencia de la metribuzina (0 y 288 g ha-1 i.a.) y el segundo factor fueron los fertilizantes foliares: FertiG, FertiB, sacarosa y sin aplicación. En el primer ciclo de producción, la productividad comercial aumentó en la asociación de FertiG y metribuzina, la relación bifurcación/descarte total disminuyó cuando se aplica los fertilizantes foliares junto con la metribuzina. La metribuzina sola disminuyó la productividad total y la relación producción comercial/rendimiento total en el primer ciclo, sin embargo el estrés se mitigó cuando se aplicó FertiG. En el segundo ciclo, la metribuzina sola o asociada a FertiG aumentó la productividad comercial. El FertiB disminuyó la relación bifurcación/descarte total. La metribuzina sola o asociada con FertiG y FertiB obtuvieron resultados similares en la relación producción comercial/rendimiento total en el ciclo 2. FertiG atenúa satisfactoriamente el estrés causado por la metribuzina a las plantas de zanahoria con un impacto positivo en la productividad comercial del cultivo de zanahoria.Bibliografía y webgrafía: páginas 357-358

Aplicação do Lean Construction no apoio à tomada de decisão de etapa crítica do planejamento: estudo de caso em reforma residencial

O setor da construção civil do Brasil é de grande importância para a recuperação do PIB, impactado negativamente em função da pandemia da Covid-19. Este estudo apresenta duas inovações que ajudam a transformar esse quadro. Uma ligada ao estilo de construção e arquitetura, o “conceito aberto” e a outra, uma filosofia de gestão que conquistou espaço em diversas organizações do setor da construção civil, o Lean Construction. O objetivo do trabalho é apresentar e analisar uma etapa de uma reforma residencial, gerenciada através do Lean Construction, utilizando ferramentas para apoio na orientação da tomada de decisões e consequentemente a otimização de processos. A metodologia utilizada consiste em um estudo de caso, tratando das análises e decisões de etapa crítica do planejamento de reforma do imóvel, envolvendo a demolição de três pilares, para viabilizar o conceito aberto. A mudança de cenário durante o projeto incentivou o desenvolvimento de novas ações que permitissem o alcance dos objetivos sem prejudicar o cronograma da reforma, trazendo segurança aos clientes. Os resultados positivos alcançados corroboram a importância da aplicação do Lean Construction, seus princípios e ferramentas para contribuições no planejamento e desenvolvimento de projetos no setor da construção civil

Análise dos indicadores de produção e distribuição do valor adicionado da Natura S.A

Objetivo: O estudo teve por objeto analisar os indicadores de produção e distribuição do valor adicionado da Natura S.A, na busca por evidenciar o comportamento dos mesmos no período entre 2011 e 2020. Metodologia: Este estudo caracteriza-se como uma pesquisa de natureza documental e descritiva. A coleta de dados foi realizada junto à base de dados da B3 e compreendeu o levantamento de informações da Demonstração do Valor Adicionado (DVA), além da consideração de indicadores de produção e distribuição do valor adicionado. Os dados foram analisados de forma analítica, com elaboração de tabelas para evidenciar as informações coletadas de forma estruturada. Resultados: Os resultados demonstraram que o indicador de produção que mais se destaca é relacionado à riqueza própria (GPRP). Os valores adicionados apresentaram comportamento crescente durante o período observado, com destaque ao valor gerado pela empresa no ano de 2020.  A distribuição dos valores gerado se dá principalmente entre Pessoal, Impostos, Taxas e Contribuições e Remuneração de Capitais de Terceiros, o que impacta nos indicadores de distribuição ao Pessoal (PDVAP), distribuição ao Governo (PDVAG) e distribuição ao Capital de Terceiros (PDVACT). Contribuições do Estudo: Esta pesquisa contribuem para teoria e para a prática no campo da contabilidade. De forma geral, os resultados apresentados reforçam o exposto por outras pesquisas e oferece novas evidências em relação a ampliação do período de observação.  Ademais, auxiliam na compreensão em relação ao processo de produção e distribuição do valor adicionado, bem como ao demonstrar a relevância da DVA

Total Quality Management: the case of an electricity distribution company

Goal: this research aims to deploy TQM in the new customers area of an electricity distribution company, located in Campos dos Goytacazes (Rio de Janeiro), based on three management pillars: guidelines, processes and routine. Design / Methodology / Approach: the nature of this work is applied research, with a qualitative problem approach, characterized as exploratory, using case study as a technical procedure, with data collected between april and september of 2015. Results: the performed methodology allowed a reduction of both "orders after deadline" (12%) and "unproductive visits" (22%) indicators. Limitations of the investigation: the research presented limitations, first, because of the resistance of some employees during the tools implementation and second, the methodology was implemented only in a sector of the company. Practical implications: the study was based on indicators and targets already used by the company. It was proposed and implemented an anomalies analysis and tools such asthe PDCA cycle, Pareto and Ishikawa diagrams, 5W1H, and Standard Operating Procedures. Originality / Value: there is little research with emphasis on TQM, especially when referring to an analysis using three levels of management (guidelines, process and routine) in the Brazilian electricity sector