Wood combustion in a domestic stove: characterization of operating conditions and ashes produced

Wood combustion in stoves for domestic heating purposes is a common practice in Portugal. However, some environmental impacts related to this practice are recognized, such as its effects on both indoor and outdoor air quality, and also those related to the management of the ashes produced. Results from an investigation about combustion of three wood varieties commonly used in Portugal in a batch-operated domestic stove are presented in this work. The wood fuels, the stove and the laboratorial facility developed to accomplish the measurements are described. Also, results from the continuous monitoring of the mass of the fuel batches undergoing combustion, the flow rate of the combustion air, the temperature in the combustion chamber and along the chimney, and the composition of the exit flue gas (O2, CO2, CO, total hydrocarbons) are presented. Ashes were collected from the grate of the stove after the combustion cycles and were characterised in regard to particle size distribution, chemical composition, mineralogy and leaching behaviour. The results from this investigation permit a better understanding about wood combustion and ashes produced in domestic stoves, which is needed for improving the performance of this type of equipments

Inflammatory biomarkers responses after acute whole body vibration in fibromyalgia

The aims of this study were 1) to characterize the intensity of the vibration stimulation in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) compared to a control group of healthy women (HW) matched by age and anthropometric parameters, and 2) to investigate the effect of a single session of whole body vibration (WBV) on inflammatory responses. Levels of adipokines, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFr1, sTNFr2), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was estimated by a portable gas analysis system, heart rate (HR) was measured using a HR monitor, and perceived exertion (RPE) was evaluated using the Borg scale of perceived exertion. Acutely mild WBV increased VO2 and HR similarly in both groups. There was an interaction (disease vs vibration) in RPE (P=0.0078), showing a higher RPE in FM compared to HW at rest, which further increased in FM after acute WBV, whereas it remained unchanged in HW. In addition, there was an interaction (disease vs vibration) in plasma levels of adiponectin (P=0.0001), sTNFR1 (P=0.000001), sTNFR2 (P=0.0052), leptin (P=0.0007), resistin (P=0.0166), and BDNF (P=0.0179). In conclusion, a single acute session of mild and short WBV can improve the inflammatory status in patients with FM, reaching values close to those of matched HW at their basal status. The neuroendocrine mechanism seems to be an exercise-induced modulation towards greater adaptation to stress response in these patients

Inflammatory biomarkers responses after acute whole body vibration in fibromyalgia

The aims of this study were 1) to characterize the intensity of the vibration stimulation in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) compared to a control group of healthy women (HW) matched by age and anthropometric parameters, and 2) to investigate the effect of a single session of whole body vibration (WBV) on inflammatory responses. Levels of adipokines, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFr1, sTNFr2), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was estimated by a portable gas analysis system, heart rate (HR) was measured using a HR monitor, and perceived exertion (RPE) was evaluated using the Borg scale of perceived exertion. Acutely mild WBV increased VO2 and HR similarly in both groups. There was an interaction (disease vs vibration) in RPE (P=0.0078), showing a higher RPE in FM compared to HW at rest, which further increased in FM after acute WBV, whereas it remained unchanged in HW. In addition, there was an interaction (disease vs vibration) in plasma levels of adiponectin (P=0.0001), sTNFR1 (P=0.000001), sTNFR2 (P=0.0052), leptin (P=0.0007), resistin (P=0.0166), and BDNF (P=0.0179). In conclusion, a single acute session of mild and short WBV can improve the inflammatory status in patients with FM, reaching values close to those of matched HW at their basal status. The neuroendocrine mechanism seems to be an exercise-induced modulation towards greater adaptation to stress response in these patients

Caracterização do material de reserva em feijão-guandu, lablabe e mucuna Characterization of the storage material in guandu, lab-lab and mucuna

Com o intuito de caracterizar, em nível citoquímico, as principais reservas presentes em guandu, lablabe e mucuna, sementes foram fixadas e processadas para a microscopia, utilizando-se tanto métodos gerais como específicos para proteínas, lipídios, polissacarídeos neutros e ácidos, procedendo-se, à dosagem e à caracterização dessas reservas nas sementes. O amido revelou-se como principal material, seguido por proteínas e, em menor grau, por lipídios. O conteúdo de amido foi de 55% da matéria seca (MS) para guandu, 53% para lablabe e 40% para mucuna. As proteínas foram mais abundantes em lablabe, com 26% da MS, seguindo-se o guandu (19%) e a mucuna (17%). Lipídios representaram menos de 2% da MS dessas sementes, com uma quantidade maior em mucuna do que nas demais espécies. As análises dos açúcares neutros presentes indicaram grande conteúdo de glicose em função do amido e quantidade apreciável de galactose e arabinose, sempre em maior quantidade em mucuna. Os perfis eletroforéticos revelaram semelhança maior entre as proteínas de guandu e lablabe, sugerindo maior proximidade filogenética entre tais espécies. As proteínas mais abundantes apresentaram massa molecular relativa entre 65 e 70 kg/mol.<br>For the cytochemical characterization of the storage material present in guandu, lab-lab and mucuna, seeds of each species were fixed and prepared for microscopy. Routine and specific fixation methods for proteins, lipids, neutral and acidic polysaccharides were used. The main reserves of the seeds were also analyzed and characterized. The results showed that starch is the principal reserve, with proteins surrounding the starch grains, as well as a few lipid globules. The starch concentration was 55% of the dry weight (DW) for guandu, 53% for lab-lab and 40% for mucuna. The proteins were more abundant in lab-lab, with 26% DW, while guandu and mucuna had respectively 19% and 17%. Lipids represented up to 2% of the total DW of the three species with mucuna presenting the largest quantity. The analyses of neutral saccharides showed a large amount of glucose due to the starch reserve, but also appreciable quantities of galactose and arabinose, which always occurred in greater quantities in mucuna. Electrophoretic patterns for proteins of guandu and lab-lab were quite similar, suggesting a a phylogenetic proximity between these species. The principal proteins had a molecular relative mass between 65 to 70 kg/mol

Composição química de diferentes fontes de fósforo e deposição de metais pesados em tecidos de suínos Chemical composition of different phosphorus sources and heavy metal deposition in tissues of swines

Foram utilizados 112 leitões com peso inicial de 28,68kg, distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 8&times;2 (oito tratamentos x dois sexos), sete repetições e dois animais por baia. As dietas foram formuladas com base no fósforo total, sendo estas à base de milho e de farelo de soja. O fósforo foi suplementado utilizando-se os fosfatos: bicálcico (FBC); monobicálcico (MBC); supertriplo (ST); supersimples (SS); rocha Catalão (ROCHA); mistura de fontes (MIST) e ácido fosfórico (AcF); e dieta-controle, sem o fósforo suplementar (CONT). Avaliou-se previamente a composição química de amostras de fontes de fósforo disponíveis no mercado. Os fosfatos MBC, FBC e AcF apresentaram baixo nível de contaminação por metais pesados. Observou-se variação no teor de metais pesados entre as marcas comerciais de supertriplo. O consumo do fosfato resultou em acúmulo de cobre nos músculos. A dieta-controle provocou acúmulo de chumbo e zinco no fígado, e a mistura de fontes e supertriplo ocasionou acúmulo de cádmio no fígado. A utilização de fontes alternativas de fósforo menos elaboradas influenciou a deposição de minerais no fígado e nos músculos dos suínos.<br>One hundred twelve pigs averaging weight of 28.68kg, were allotted to a completely randomized blocks with seven replicates of two animals per box. The treatments consisted in factorial 8&times;2 (eight phosphorus sources x two sexes). The experimental diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal and the phosphorus was supplemented through phosphate dicalcium (FBC), monodicalcium (MBC), triple superphosphate (ST), simple superphosphate (SS), Catalão rock (ROCHA), mixture of sources (MIST), and phosphoric acid (AcF) in addition to a control diet without supplemental phosphous (CONT). Samples of phosphorus sources available in the market were evaluated for particle size and chemical composition. The MBC, FBC and AcF showed a low level of heavy metal contamination, but a variation in the heavy metal composition for ST was observed. Swines fed on CONT diet showed lead and zinc accumulation in the liver. Swines fed on triple superphosphate and mixture of sources diets showed cadmium accumulation in the liver. Swine fed on ST diet showed copper accumulation in the muscles. Swine diets formulated with alternative and less elaborated sources of phosphorus caused liver and muscles deposition of minerals