Desenvolvimento de uma tecnologia inovadora para a deslenhificação da madeira usando solventes eutécticos

The goal of this work was to study the use of Eutectic Solvents (ESs) for wood fractionation aiming at their application on pulping processes, in the biorefinery framework. To achieve this purpose, fundamental studies were performed to better understand the solubility of lignin monomer model compounds (syringaldehyde and syringic, vanillic and ferulic acids) and technical lignins (kraft and organosolv) in ESs and their aqueous solutions. Particularly, aqueous solutions of propionic acid:urea (2:1) at 50 or 75 wt % of concentration and 353.15 K improved lignin solubility by two orders of magnitude in comparison to water and conventional lignin solvents [solubility enhancement of (228.3 ± 8.2)- and (474.7 ± 2.7)-fold for kraft and organosolv lignin, respectively]. Furthermore, maximum solubilization of lignin monomer model compounds was achieved using ethylene glycol:tetrabutylphosphonium chloride (2:1) aqueous solutions at 50 or 75 wt % of concentration and 323.15 K [(34.9 ± 6.7)-, (116.6 ± 1.6)-, (58.6 ± 0.4)- and (202.5 ± 16.9)-fold, respectively]. It should be highlighted the fundamental role of water, which allows a hydrotropic effect on lignin (and their monomers) solubility in these ESs aqueous solutions. The best ESs to enhance the solubility of lignin in water was used to develop a new wood delignification process. Therefore, delignification of Eucalyptus globulus wood catalyzed by mineral or organic acids in ESs aqueous solutions was studied. The results obtained confirmed that the wood delignification using ESs aqueous solutions requires the addition of acid catalyst in order to enhance lignin removal. Two different ESs aqueous systems were identified as the best to delignify E. globulus wood under mild conditions: (i) the 50 wt % aqueous solution of propionic acid:urea (2:1) in the presence of 25 wt % of p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst (8 h, 363.15 K and atmospheric pressure). This system led to the production of a solid fraction yield of 59.50 ± 0.51 wt %, containing a residual Klason lignin of 3.86 ± 0.10 wt % with preserved cellulose fibers, when compared to conventional E. globulus kraft pulp; and (ii) the 50 wt % aqueous solution of ternary-ESs mixture (sodium p-toluenesulfonate:p-toluenesulfonic acid:choline chloride) at optimal molar ratio of (0.393:0.376:0.232) that allowed producing 46.60 ± 2.70 wt % of solid fraction yield, containing a residual Klason lignin of 2.74 ± 0.08 wt % under milder conditions (3 h, 363.15 K and atmospheric pressure). Moreover, the chemical structural analysis of both isolated lignins revealed that fewer transformations are induced by these systems, when compared to E. globulus kraft, and other ESs reported in literature. Finally, promising preliminary results show the feasibility for scaling the ES wood delignification process using both ESs.Este trabalho teve como objectivo estudar o uso de solventes eutécticos (SEs) no fraccionamento de madeira, com vista à sua aplicação em processos de produção de pasta, no âmbito de uma biorrefineria. Nesse sentido, foi desenvolvido um estudo fundamental que permitisse compreender a solubilidade de lenhinas técnicas (kraft e organosolv) e dos seus monómeros (siringaldeído e ácidos siríngico, vanílico e ferúlico) nos SEs puros e respetivas soluções aquosas. Mostrou-se que, soluções aquosas de ácido propiónico:ureia (2:1) com concentrações de 50 ou 75 % m/m a 353.15 K aumentam a solubilidade da lenhina em duas ordens de grandeza relativamente à sua solubilidade em água pura ou solventes orgânicos convencionais usados normalmente para a solubilização de lenhina [aumento de solubilidade de (228.3 ± 8.2)- e (474.7 ± 2.7)-vezes para as lenhinas kraft e organosolv, respectivamente]. Além disso, foi possível obter uma solubilização máxima dos monómeros de lenhina usando uma solução aquosa de etileno glicol:cloreto de tetrabutilfosfónio (2:1) com concentrações de 50 ou 75 % m/m a 323.15 K [(34.9 ± 6.7)-, (116.6 ± 1.6)-, (58.6 ± 0.4)- e (202.5 ± 16.9)-vezes, respectivamente]. É de salientar o papel fundamental da água que permite o efeito hidrotrópico na solubilização da lenhina e seus monómeros nas soluções aquosas dos SEs estudados. De seguida, os melhores SEs foram usados no processo de deslenhificação de madeira de Eucalyptus globulus como prova de conceito. O efeito da adição de catalizadores ácidos foi igualmente estudado. Os resultados obtidos confirmaram que a adição de um catalizador ácido às soluções aquosas de SEs promovem a extração de lenhina. Neste estudo, dois sistemas aquosos de SEs (50 % m/m) apresentaram resultados excelentes na deslenhificação da madeira de E. globulus: (i) ácido propiónico: ureia (2:1) na presença de 25 % m/m de catalisador ácido ptoluenosulfónico (8 h, 363.15 K e pressão atmosférica). Este sistema resultou num rendimento de fração sólida de 59.50 ± 0.51 % m/m, contendo 3.86 ± 0.10% m/m de lenhina Klason residual. A análise da pasta resultante permitiu concluir que as fibras de celulose foram preservadas quando comparadas com a pasta kraft de E. globulus; e (ii) mixtura ternária (p-toluensulfonato de sódio: ácido p-toluenosulfónico:cloreto de colina) numa razão molar óptima de (0.393:0.376:0.232) nas condições óptimas de operação de 3 h, 363.15 K e pressão atmosférica. Este sistema resultou num rendimento de fração sólida de 46.60 ± 2.70 % m/m, contendo 2.74 ± 0.08 % m/m de lenhina Klason residual. As análises químicas estruturais realizadas às lenhinas isoladas revelaram menos modificações induzidas pelos sistemas propostos, quando comparados com a lenhina kraft de E. globulus ou outros sistemas SEs reportados na literatura. Por fim, estudos preliminares de aumento de escala usando os SEs propostos revelaram-se promissores.Programa Doutoral em Engenharia Químic

O papel da Educação em Português na promoção e difusão da língua – um estudo com um grupo de estagiárias

As questões sobre o poder das línguas, sobre o seu peso e valor económicos têm preenchido, atualmente, agendas políticas e académicas, embora o interesse pela economia das línguas remonte à segunda metade do século XX. Relativamente ao português, assistimos a uma preocupação com a sua internacionalização, quer por via das relações comerciais e negócios, quer no âmbito das políticas da língua. De ambas as perspetivas, o ensino do português é incontornável. Sob o prisma da Educação, introduzir na formação de professores de portu- guês uma abordagem da língua mais dinâmica, como língua de comunicação internacional, direcionada para a sua difusão, é essencial num mundo globa- lizado, onde outras línguas também se cruzam e se jogam. Neste quadro, disponibilizámos um questionário a mestrandas/estagiárias de português, numa universidade em Portugal. Pretendíamos que identificassem o lugar atribuído à língua portuguesa no mundo, valores e potencialidades, e ainda formas de promoção e de difusão. Os resultados deste estudo piloto apontam para algum desconhecimento sobre as línguas e sobre o português e o mundo lusófono em particular. No entanto, a reação geral foi de abertura a este tipo de abordagem. Palavras-chave: educação em português; comunicação internacional; difusão; valores da língua portuguesa

Current and future effects of global change on a hotspot's freshwater diversity

Deforestation, climate change and invasive species constitute three global threats to biodiversity that act synergistically. However, drivers and rates of loss of freshwater biodiversity now and in the future are poorly understood. Here we focus on the potential impacts of global change on freshwater mussels (Order Unionida) in Sundaland (SE Asia), a vulnerable group facing global declines and recognized indicators of overall freshwater biodiversity. We used an ensemble of distribution models to identify habitats potentially suitable for freshwater mussels and their change under a range of climate, deforestation and invasion scenarios. Our data and models revealed that, at present, Sundaland features 47 and 32 Mha of habitat that can be considered environmentally suitable for native and invasive freshwater mussels, respectively. We anticipate that by 2050, the area suitable for palm oil cultivation may expand between 8 and 44 Mha, representing an annual increase of 2–11%. This is expected to result in a 20% decrease in suitable habitat for native mussels, a drop that reaches 30% by 2050 when considering concomitant climate change. In contrast, the habitat potentially suitable for invasive mussels may increase by 44–56% under 2050 future scenarios. Consequently, native mussels may compete for habitat, food resources and fish hosts with invasive mussels across approximately 60% of their suitable range. Our projections can be used to guide future expeditions to monitor the conservation status of freshwater biodiversity, and potentially reveal populations of endemic species on the brink of extinction. Future conservation measures—most importantly the designation of nature reserves—should take into account trends in freshwater biodiversity generally, and particularly species such as freshwater mussels, vital to safeguard fundamental ecosystem services.This study is funded by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (Project FRGS/1/2015/WAB13/UNIM//1). BG was supported by a research fellowship funded by the Spanish Program of R + D + I (JCI2012-11908)

Impact of fatigue as the primary determinant of functional limitations among patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome: a cross-sectional observational study

OBJECTIVES: To describe self-reported characteristics and symptoms of treatment-seeking patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). To assess the impact of symptoms on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patients' ability to work and undertake activities of daily living. DESIGN: Cross-sectional single-arm service evaluation of real-time user data. SETTING: 31 post-COVID-19 clinics in the UK. PARTICIPANTS: 3754 adults diagnosed with PCS in primary or secondary care deemed suitable for rehabilitation. INTERVENTION: Patients using the Living With Covid Recovery digital health intervention registered between 30 November 2020 and 23 March 2022. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the baseline Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). WSAS measures the functional limitations of the patient; scores of ≥20 indicate moderately severe limitations. Other symptoms explored included fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-Eight Item Depression Scale), anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale, Seven-Item), breathlessness (Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale and Dyspnoea-12), cognitive impairment (Perceived Deficits Questionnaire, Five-Item Version) and HRQoL (EQ-5D). Symptoms and demographic characteristics associated with more severe functional limitations were identified using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 3541 (94%) patients were of working age (18-65); mean age (SD) 48 (12) years; 1282 (71%) were female and 89% were white. 51% reported losing ≥1 days from work in the previous 4 weeks; 20% reported being unable to work at all. Mean WSAS score at baseline was 21 (SD 10) with 53% scoring ≥20. Factors associated with WSAS scores of ≥20 were high levels of fatigue, depression and cognitive impairment. Fatigue was found to be the main symptom contributing to a high WSAS score. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of this PCS treatment-seeking population was of working age with over half reporting moderately severe or worse functional limitation. There were substantial impacts on ability to work and activities of daily living in people with PCS. Clinical care and rehabilitation should address the management of fatigue as the dominant symptom explaining variation in functionality

Evaluating implementation of a fire-prevention injury prevention briefing in children's centres: cluster randomised controlled trial

Background: Many developed countries have high mortality rates for fire-related deaths in children aged 0–14 years with steep social gradients. Evidence-based interventions to promote fire safety practices exist, but the impact of implementing a range of these interventions in children’s services has not been assessed. We developed an Injury Prevention Briefing (IPB), which brought together evidence about effective fire safety interventions and good practice in delivering interventions; plus training and facilitation to support its use and evaluated its implementation. Methods: We conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial, with integrated qualitative and cost-effectiveness nested studies, across four study sites in England involving children’s centres in disadvantaged areas; participants were staff and families attending those centres. Centres were stratified by study site and randomised within strata to one of three arms: IPB plus facilitation (IPB+), IPB only, usual care. IPB+ centres received initial training and facilitation at months 1, 3, and 8. Baseline data from children’s centres were collected between August 2011 and January 2012 and follow-up data were collected between June 2012 and June 2013. Parent baseline data were collected between January 2012 and May 2012 and follow-up data between May 2013 and September 2013. Data comprised baseline and 12 month parent- and staff-completed questionnaires, facilitation contact data, activity logs and staff interviews. The primary outcome was whether families had a plan for escaping from a house fire. Treatment arms were compared using multilevel models to account for clustering by children’s centre. Results: 1112 parents at 36 children’s centres participated. There was no significant effect of the intervention on families’ possession of plans for escaping from a house fire (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) IPB only vs. usual care: 0.93, 95%CI 0.58, 1.49; AOR IPB+ vs. usual care 1.41, 95%CI 0.91, 2.20). However, significantly more families in the intervention arms reported more behaviours for escaping from house fires (AOR IPB only vs. usual care: 2.56, 95%CI 01.38, 4.76; AOR IPB+ vs. usual care 1.78, 95%CI 1.01, 3.15). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that children’s centres can deliver an injury prevention intervention to families in disadvantaged communities and achieve changes in home safety behaviours

Knowledge, awareness, and attitude towards infection prevention and management among surgeons: identifying the surgeon champion

Abstract Despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of best practices of infection prevention and management, many surgeons worldwide fail to implement them. Evidence-based practices tend to be underused in routine practice. Surgeons with knowledge in surgical infections should provide feedback to prescribers and integrate best practices among surgeons and implement changes within their team. Identifying a local opinion leader to serve as a champion within the surgical department may be important. The “surgeon champion” can integrate best clinical practices of infection prevention and management, drive behavior change in their colleagues, and interact with both infection control teams in promoting antimicrobial stewardship.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145433/1/13017_2018_Article_198.pd

Acute mesenteric ischemia : updated guidelines of the World Society of Emergency Surgery

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a group of diseases characterized by an interruption of the blood supply to varying portions of the intestine, leading to ischemia and secondary inflammatory changes. If untreated, this process may progress to life-threatening intestinal necrosis. The incidence is low, estimated at 0.09-0.2% of all acute surgical admissions, but increases with age. Although the entity is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain, diligence is required because if untreated, mortality remains in the range of 50%. Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention are the cornerstones of modern treatment to reduce the high mortality associated with this entity. The advent of endovascular approaches in parallel with modern imaging techniques is evolving and provides new treatment options. Lastly, a focused multidisciplinary approach based on early diagnosis and individualized treatment is essential. Thus, we believe that updated guidelines from World Society of Emergency Surgery are warranted, in order to provide the most recent and practical recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of AMI.Peer reviewe

The open abdomen in trauma and non-trauma patients : WSES guidelines

Damage control resuscitation may lead to postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension or abdominal compartment syndrome. These conditions may result in a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle leading to severe physiologic derangements and multiorgan failure unless interrupted by abdominal (surgical or other) decompression. Further, in some clinical situations, the abdomen cannot be closed due to the visceral edema, the inability to control the compelling source of infection or the necessity to re-explore (as a "planned second-look" laparotomy) or complete previously initiated damage control procedures or in cases of abdominal wall disruption. The open abdomen in trauma and non-trauma patients has been proposed to be effective in preventing or treating deranged physiology in patients with severe injuries or critical illness when no other perceived options exist. Its use, however, remains controversial as it is resource consuming and represents a non-anatomic situation with the potential for severe adverse effects. Its use, therefore, should only be considered in patients who would most benefit from it. Abdominal fascia-to-fascia closure should be done as soon as the patient can physiologically tolerate it. All precautions to minimize complications should be implemented.Peer reviewe

WSES/GAIS/WSIS/SIS-E/AAST global clinical pathways for patients with skin and soft tissue infections

Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) encompass a variety of pathological conditions that involve the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue, fascia, or muscle, ranging from simple superficial infections to severe necrotizing infections. Together, the World Society of Emergency Surgery, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery, the Surgical Infection Society-Europe, The World Surgical Infection Society, and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma have jointly completed an international multi-society document to promote global standards of care in SSTIs guiding clinicians by describing reasonable approaches to the management of SSTIs. An extensive non-systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases, limited to the English language. The resulting evidence was shared by an international task force with different clinical backgrounds.Peer reviewe