Acidogenic fermentation of brewer’s spent grain towards polyhydroxyalkanoates production

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are fully biodegradable polyesters, synthesized by microorganisms from renewable resources, which reveal an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Its production by mixed microbial cultures, unlike pure cultures, allows the use of industrial by-products in the absence of sterility conditions, potentially reducing process costs. The study described focused on the valorization of a waste from a brewery industry, brewer’s spent grain (BSG), through organic acids production, towards PHA production. PHA production using mixed microbial cultures involves three steps: (1) acidogenic fermentation of BSG for organic acids production, (2) selection of the mixed cultures able to accumulate PHA and (3) PHA production. In order to extract the sugars necessary to produce organic acids (phase 1), pre-treatment methods such as acid hydrolysis and subcritical water have been studied. Acid hydrolysis was selected for further experiments as the hydrolysis yield on sugars reached was higher than using subcritical water (0.152 g total sugars g BSG-1 versus 0.008 and 0.020 g total sugars g BSG-1 at 200 °C and 230 °C, respectively). Afterwards, the pH (5.0, 5.5 and 6.0) and organic loads (10, 20 and 30 gCOD L-1) effect on the acidogenic fermentation of hydrolyzed BSG was studied in batch. It was verified, regardless of the condition, that the most produced acids are acetic and butyric. As pH and organic load affects the fermentation products profile, it is possible to manipulate PHA composition. At last, the acidogenic fermentation of hydrolyzed BSG was studied in a continuous mode, using an expanded granular sludge bed reactor (EGSB). Due to the reduced operating time, it was not possible to reach stability. However, it was observed that sugars were consumed to produce organic acids. This revealed the potential of EGSB to be used for BSG acidogenic fermentation towards PHA production

Global vs. local nonlinear optimization techniques for human-like movement of an anthropomorphic robot

In this paper a comparison between using global and local optimization techniques for solving the problem of generating human-like arm and hand movements for an anthropomorphic dual arm robot is made. Although the objective function involved in each optimization problem is convex, there is no evidence that the admissible regions of these problems are convex sets. For the sequence of movements for which the numerical tests were done there were no significant differences between the optimal solutions obtained using the global and the local techniques. This suggests that the optimal solution obtained using the local solver is indeed a global solution

FortaleSer Promover o 'ageing in place' em Montalegre

Objetivos: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo perceber quais as necessidades, potencialidades e interesses da população com 65 e mais anos residente no concelho de Montalegre. A partir do diagnóstico dessas necessidades criou-se uma proposta de plano de intervenção adequado para a população. Método: Desenvolveu-se uma investigação de natureza quantitativa, tendo sido o inquérito por questionário o principal instrumento de recolha de informação. Foi contruída uma amostra por quotas tendo por base a população com 65 e mais anos, por sexo, para um conjunto de freguesias selecionadas do concelho. Foram realizados 175 questionários a que correspondem 175 inquiridos. Para a análise dos resultados, recorreu- se ao programa SPSS. Resultados: Cerca de 2/3 da população inquirida tem entre 65 e 75 anos. A amostra é maioritariamente composta por mulheres, com predomínio de casados e em união de facto, reformados e baixos níveis de escolaridade (equivalentes ao 1o ciclo do ensino básico). De um modo geral, a população inquirida não apresenta sintomatologia depressiva, nem sem risco de isolamento social e solidão e manifestam níveis consideráveis de autonomia. Discussão: As fortes redes de relação garantem aos mais velhos o seu apoio material, afetivo, emocional e a interação social positiva. Embora a participação em atividades sociais e comunitárias ser escassa, o forte suporte social, típico dos meios rurais, aparenta proteger as pessoas idosas do isolamento social assegurando-lhes a satisfação das suas necessidades. Deste modo, propomos a criação do projeto FortaleSer que tem como principal objetivo contribuir para o reforço da capacidade intrínseca e funcional da população com 65 e mais anos do concelho de Montalegre numa ótica de envelhecimento saudável mantendo as pessoas no seu contexto habitacional (ageing in place).Objectives: The present work aimed to understand what the needs, potential and interests of the population aged 65 and over living in the municipality of Montalegre are. Based on the diagnosis of these needs, a proposal for an intervention plan suitable for the population was created. Method: A quantitative research was developed, with the questionnaire being the main instrument of information collection. A quota sample was built based on the population aged 65 and over, by gender, for a set of selected parishes of the municipality. A total of 175 questionnaires were completed, corresponding to 175 respondents. For the analysis of the results, was used the SPSS program. Results: Approximately 2/3 of the surveyed population is aged between 65 and 75 years. The sample is mostly composed of women, with a predominance of married and cohabiting people, retired people and low levels of education (equivalent to the 1st cycle of basic education). In general, the surveyed population does not present depressive symptoms, has no risk of social isolation and loneliness and shows considerable levels of autonomy. Discussion: Strong neighborhood networks ensure elders their material, affective, emotional support and positive social interaction. Although participation in social and community activities is meager, the solid social support, typical of rural areas, seems to protect older people from social isolation and ensures that their needs are met. Thus, we propose the creation of the FortaleSer project, which has as its main goal to contribute to the reinforcement of the intrinsic and functional capacity of the population aged 65 and over from the municipality of Montalegre in a perspective of healthy ageing keeping people in their housing context (ageing in place)

Nonlinear optimization for human-like movements of a high degree of freedom robotics arm-hand system

The design of autonomous robots, able to closely cooperate with human users in shared tasks, provides many new challenges for robotics research. Compared to industrial applications, robots working in human environments will need to have human-like abilities in their cognitive and motor behaviors. Here we present a model for generating trajectories of a high degree of freedom robotics arm-hand system that reflects optimality principles of human motor control. The process of finding a human-like trajectory among all possible solutions is formalized as a large-scale nonlinear optimization problem. We compare numerically three existing solvers, IPOPT, KNITRO and SNOPT, in terms of their real-time performance in different reach-to-grasp problems that are part of a human-robot interaction task. The results show that the SQP methods obtain better results than the IP methods. SNOPT finds optimal solutions for all tested problems in competitive computational times, thus being the one that best serves our purpose.Eliana Costa e Silva was supported by FCT (grant: SFRH/BD/23821/2005). The resources and equipment were financed by FCT and UM through project "Anthropomorphic robotic systems: control based on the processing principles of the human and other primates motor system and potential applications in service robotics and biomedical engineering" (Ref. CONC-REEQ/17/2001) and by EC through project "JAST: Joint-Action Science and Technology" (Ref. IST- 2-003747-IP).We thank the Mobile and Anthropomorphic Robotics Laboratory at University of Minho for constant good work environment. Finally, we would like to thank Carl Laird and Andreas Wachter for making available IPOPT, and AMPL for making available an unrestricted 30 days trial version of AMPL, KNITRO and SNOPT executables

The potential field method and the nonlinear attractor dynamics approach: what are the differences?

One of the most popular approaches to path planning and control is the potential field method. This method is particularly attractive because it is suitable for on-line feedback control. In this approach the gradient of a potential field is used to generate the robot's trajectory. Thus, the path is generated by the transient solutions of a dynamical system. On the other hand, in the nonlinear attractor dynamic approach the path is generated by a sequence of attractor solutions. This way the transient solutions of the potential field method are replaced by a sequence of attractor solutions (i.e., asymptotically stable states) of a dynamical system. We discuss at a theoretical level some of the main differences of these two approaches

Human-like movement of an anthropomorphic robot: problem revisited

Human-like movement is fundamental for natural human-robot interaction and collaboration. We have developed in a model for generating arm and hand movements an anthropomorphic robot. This model was inspired by the Posture-Based Motion-Planning Model of human reaching and grasping movements. In this paper we present some changes to the model we have proposed in [4] and test and compare different nonlinear constrained optimization techniques for solving the large-scale nonlinear constrained optimization problem that rises from the discretization of our time-continuous model. Furthermore, we test different time discretization steps.Eliana Costa e Silva was supported by FCT (grant: SFRH/BD/23821/2005)

The 50 years experience of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) use in West Syndrome: literatura review and UNIFESP protocol

INTRODUÇÃO: A eficácia do ACTH no tratamento da Síndrome de West (SW) é extensivamente debatida na literatura, o mesmo ocorrendo em relação às doses, efeitos colaterais e protocolos de utilização. OBJETIVO: Revisar, analisar criticamente e discutir os achados das publicações mais recentes e relevantes relacionadas ao uso do ACTH no tratamento da SW. METODOLOGIA: Pesquisou-se as bases de dados MEDLINE e PUBMED, utilizando-se as palavras-chave ACTH e WEST SYNDROME, período de 1997 a 2007. RESULTADOS: Foram obtidos 96 títulos no MEDLINE e 158 no PUBMED, e dentre eles foram selecionados 22 publicações. Outros trabalhos anteriores ao período avaliado mas que apresentavam relevância especial no contexto desta revisão também foram incluídos. CONCLUSÕES: Há evidências de que o ACTH provavelmente apresente eficácia maior no controle imediato dos espasmos e da hipsarritmia. Entretanto, não há evidências concretas desta superioridade no longo prazo (controle de crises a longo prazo e interrrupção ou prevenção de comprometimento do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor).INTRODUCTION: It is extensively discussed in the literature the efficacy of ACTH in West Syndrome (WS) as well, dosage, best protocols and side effects. OBJECTIVE: Analyze and discuss the most recent and relevant publication related to ACTH in patients with WS. METHODOLOGY: Literature publication was selected from MEDLINE and PUBMED between 1997 to 2007 using the following key words: "ACTH" and " West Syndrome". RESULTS: 96 titles were referral at medline and 158 at pubmed. 22 were selected and previous studies with special relevance were also included. CONCLUSIONS: There are evidences that ACTH probably has efficacy for immediately control of spasms and hypsarrhythmia. There is no evidence about the efficacy of ACTH in long term concerning seizures control and prevent delayed developmental)

Survival analysis of women with cervical cancer treated at a referral hospital for oncology in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, 2000-2005

Uterine cervical cancer is a leading cause of death from cancer in the female population worldwide. The aim of this study was to analyze survival of women with cervical cancer treated at the Santa Rita de Cássia Hospital/Women's Association for Cancer Education and Control (HSRC/AFECC) in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, from 2000 to 2005 and to describe associated prognostic factors. This was a cohort study using retrospective secondary data with a sample of 964 cases. The Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox model were used to evaluate survival and for multiple logistic analysis. There were 421 deaths (43.6%) during the minimum 5-year follow-up, with an overall 5-year survival of 58.8%. Risk factors were place of residence in the Serrana Region of the State (HR: 1.94; 95%CI: 1.09-3.45) and advanced staging. Women with stages III and IV at diagnosis showed an increased risk of 4.33 (95%CI: 3.00-6.24) and 15.40 (95%CI: 9.72-24.39), respectively, for lower survival when compared to stage I. The results show that early diagnosis and treatment are essential for reducing mortality from cervical cancer

The moderating effect of parenting styles on the relationship between social anxiety and depressive symptomatology in adolescents

Intruduction: The comorbidity between depression and social anxiety is high in adolescence. Parental emotion socialization behaviors have been associated with the development of social skills and depressive symptomatology. Objectives: This study aims to explore the moderating effect of parenting styles on the relationship between social anxiety and depression, to study the associations between them, and to analyze the relationship between parenting styles, social anxiety and depressive symptomatology in adolescents. Methods: The sample consisted of 122 parents and their children. Self-report instruments were used to assess social anxiety, depressive symptomatology and parenting styles. Results: It was found that social anxiety is significantly associated to depression and that the former has a predictive effect on the latter. The parenting styles revealed no significant associations with either depressive symptomatology or with social anxiety, but a moderating effect of explorer parenting style was found in the relationship between social anxiety (public performance) and depressive symptomatology. Conclusions: The present investigation confirmed the existence of a significant association between social anxiety and depressive symptomatology in adolescence and suggests an effect of parental practices of emotional socialization in this relation, which, however, should be replicated in future research. It will also be important to study the effect of parenting styles on children's emotional regulation skills and their possible mediating effect on the relationship between social anxiety and depression.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Scheduling aircraft’s engines repair process: a mathematical model

In this talk, we discuss a scheduling problem that originated at TAP - Maintenance & Engineering - the maintenance, repair and overhaul organization of Portugal’s leading airline. In the repair process of aircrafts’ engines, the operations to be scheduled may be executed on a certain workstation by any processor of a given set, and the objective is to minimize the total weighted tardiness. A mixed integer linear programming formulation, based on the flexible job shop scheduling, is presented here, along with computational experiment on a real instance, provided by TAP-ME, from a regular working week. The model was also tested using benchmarking instances available in literature