State-of-the-art and limitations in the life cycle assessment of ionic liquids

Even though the development and use of ionic liquids (ILs) has rapidly grown in recent years, in the literature, information addressing the environmental performance of these substances in a life cycle context is comparatively scarce. This review critiques the state-of-the-art environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on ILs in the literature, identifies the existing shortcomings, which could be delaying complete employment of the LCA framework to the field of ILs, and also identifies strategies for overcoming these shortcomings. This review indicates that there are several limitations associated with the implementation of the LCA in all steps and discusses them. Since data about manufacturing at industrial scale are generally inaccessible, a set of methods and assumptions have been used in previous studies to determine the life cycle inventories (LCIs), such as simplified LCA, “tree life-cycle approach”, use of energy monitor devices, thermodynamic methods, chemical simulation process and other secondary data. However, the analysis of the data quality has not always been performed. Also, currently, there is a shortage of the characterization factors of ILs for human toxicity and ecotoxicity impact categories, which prevent its inclusion within the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) step. Therefore, sufficient and complete life cycle inventory data for ionic liquids and precursor chemicals are essential for inventory analysis; and the LCIA needs to be clearly defined about the level of detail on the IL emissions. Current LCA studies on ILs have not covered all these aspects. To improve the present situation, it is proposed herein that for future LCA of processes involving ILs each of the LCA steps must be completed as far as scientific advances allow

Desenvolvimento e viabilização do cimento inovador e ecológico LC3 no contexto brasileiro

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Environmental assessment of urban public transport's shift from conventional to electric buses : a case study

The number of Life Cycle Assessment studies in urban public transportation focusing on modals that aim to reduce global warming impacts has been increasing significantly in the last few years. These studies suggest that the insertion of green modals on local public transportation systems could be a solution to reach sustainable development. However, the impact of this insertion in developing countries is not clear yet. Then, our main objective is to evaluate the environmental impact of an emerging city’s public transportation system, considering different public policies. Consequently, we conducted a Life Cycle Assessment study considering the transitions from Diesel to biodiesel buses and electric buses from 2020 to 2030. Three scenarios were performed, with the following criteria: battery changes, the increase of biodiesel percentage used in the fuel mix, and buses’ expected average lifespan transitioning to electric vehicles. The results show a decrease in impact by 2030 in analysed scenarios. They may support policymakers to decide whether to focus on a short-term or long-term transport policy to reduce the fleet’s sustainable impact. Particularly, electric buses have emerged as an option to reduce environmental impacts in the public transportation system in Porto Alegre, Brazil

State-of-the-art and limitations in the life cycle assessment of ionic liquids

Even though the development and use of ionic liquids (ILs) has rapidly grown in recent years, in the literature, information addressing the environmental performance of these substances in a life cycle context is comparatively scarce. This review critiques the state-of-the-art environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on ILs in the literature, identifies the existing shortcomings, which could be delaying complete employment of the LCA framework to the field of ILs, and also identifies strategies for overcoming these shortcomings. This review indicates that there are several limitations associated with the implementation of the LCA in all steps and discusses them. Since data about manufacturing at industrial scale are generally inaccessible, a set of methods and assumptions have been used in previous studies to determine the life cycle inventories (LCIs), such as simplified LCA, “tree life-cycle approach”, use of energy monitor devices, thermodynamic methods, chemical simulation process and other secondary data. However, the analysis of the data quality has not always been performed. Also, currently, there is a shortage of the characterization factors of ILs for human toxicity and ecotoxicity impact categories, which prevent its inclusion within the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) step. Therefore, sufficient and complete life cycle inventory data for ionic liquids and precursor chemicals are essential for inventory analysis; and the LCIA needs to be clearly defined about the level of detail on the IL emissions. Current LCA studies on ILs have not covered all these aspects. To improve the present situation, it is proposed herein that for future LCA of processes involving ILs each of the LCA steps must be completed as far as scientific advances allow

Avaliação da receptividade de cimentos de menor impacto ambiental pelo público consumidor/ Receptivity assessment of lower environmental impact cements by the consumer public

Mundialmente a indústria cimenteira busca formas de obter uma produção com menor impacto ambiental. Uma das possibilidades mais promissoras e já utilizada em larga escala é a redução do teor de clínquer aliada à incorporação de outros materiais com propriedades cimentícias ao cimento, de modo a obter cimento ambientalmente mais amigáveis. Com este fim, novas matérias primas estão sendo estudadas, o que permite que esta alternativa seja explorada de forma intensiva. Entretanto, a incorporação destes materiais diferenciados pode modificar algumas propriedades dos cimentos, o que pode acarretar insegurança do usuário. Logo, a aplicabilidade destes novos cimentos na construção civil passa pela aceitação dos consumidores, que são agentes determinantes nas tendências do mercado. Fatores como renda, idade, gênero, nível de conhecimento técnico e diferenças regionais na aceitação e no uso destes materiais podem influenciar no grau de receptividade do público. Assim, este estudo tem por objetivo avaliar a aceitação de consumidores com e sem conhecimento técnico em relação a utilização de cimentos de menor impacto ambiental por meio de um questionário online. Foram abordados temas como receptividade, preço, apelo ambiental e características levadas em consideração na escolha do produto. Resultados apontam que o público apresenta boa receptividade ao produto, entretanto o preço apresenta-se como um fator de escolha determinante

Immunoexpression of PD-L1, CD4+ and CD8+ cell infiltrates and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the microenvironment of actinic cheilitis and lower lip squamous cell carcinoma

Lower lip squamous cell carcinomas (LLSCC) could be associated with a previous history of potentially malignant oral diseases (PMOD), especially actinic cheilitis (AC), with high sun exposure being a well-described risk factor. Immune evasion mechanisms, such as the PD-1/PD-L1 (programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1) pathway has been gaining prominence since immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors showed a positive effect on the survival of patients with different types of neoplasms. Concomitant with the characterization of the tumor microenvironment, the expression of either or both PD-1 and PD-L1 molecules may estimate mutual relations of progression or regression of the carcinoma and prognostic values of the patient. Objective: Considering the importance of tumor microenvironment characterization, this study aims to determine the immunoexpression of PD-L1 and correlate with the frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in AC and LLSCC lesions and with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in LLSCC and its relationship with histopathological characteristics. Methodology: This sample includes 33 cases of AC and 17 cases of LLSCC. The cases were submitted to histopathological analysis and to CD4+, CD8+, and PD-L1+ cell determination by immunohistochemistry. Results: There was a significant difference among the frequencies of CD4+, CD8+, and PD-L1+ cells between AC and LSCC cases, higher in the last group. Moreover, histopathological and atypical changes in AC and LLSCC were correlated with the frequencies of PD-L1+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells. In AC, PD-L1+ cases had a low frequency of CD4+ cells, but on the other hand, PD-L1+ cases of LLSCC had a higher frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Conclusion: Therefore, the PD-L1 molecule may be a potential escape route for the immune response in oral lesions, but the mechanisms differ between AC and LLSCC. Future studies related to immune evasion and immunotherapy in oral lesions should consider the analysis of inflammatory infiltrate and TILs

Consenso brasileiro para o tratamento da esclerose múltipla : Academia Brasileira de Neurologia e Comitê Brasileiro de Tratamento e Pesquisa em Esclerose Múltipla

O crescent arsenal terapêutico na esclerose múltipla (EM) tem permitido tratamentos mais efetivos e personalizados, mas a escolha e o manejo das terapias modificadoras da doença (TMDs) tem se tornado cada vez mais complexos. Neste contexto, especialistas do Comitê Brasileiro de Tratamento e Pesquisa em Esclerose Múltipla e do Departamento Científico de Neuroimunologia da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia reuniram-se para estabelecer este Consenso Brasileiro para o Tratamento da EM, baseados no entendimento de que neurologistas devem ter a possibilidade de prescrever TMDs para EM de acordo com o que é melhor para cada paciente, com base em evidências e práticas atualizadas. Por meio deste documento, propomos recomendações práticas para o tratamento da EM, com foco principal na escolha e no manejo das TMDs, e revisamos os argumentos que embasam as estratégias de tratamento na EM.The expanding therapeutic arsenal in multiple sclerosis (MS) has allowed for more effective and personalized treatment, but the choice and management of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is becoming increasingly complex. In this context, experts from the Brazilian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and the Neuroimmunology Scientific Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology have convened to establish this Brazilian Consensus for the Treatment of MS, based on their understanding that neurologists should be able to prescribe MS DMTs according to what is better for each patient, based on up-to-date evidence and practice. We herein propose practical recommendations for the treatment of MS, with the main focus on the choice and management of DMTs, as well as present a review of the scientific rationale supporting therapeutic strategies in MS

Avaliação do desempenho ambiental da fase agrícola no sistema de produto biodiesel de soja no Rio Grande do Sul

Atualmente, a utilização da biomassa para a produção de biocombustíveis é uma questão amplamente discutida, principalmente por causa dos impactos ambientais. A soja é a principal matéria-prima utilizada para a produção de biodiesel brasileiro, e o Rio Grande do Sul é um dos maiores produtores de soja do Brasil e do mundo. Sua importância se dá, principalmente, devido a sua versatilidade, sendo empregada, também, por exemplo, nos setores alimentícios, agropecuários e quimico. Entretanto, não há estudos do desempenho ambiental da soja produzida no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Neste cenário, a Avaliação de Ciclo de Vida apresenta-se como uma ferramenta para avaliar o desempenho ambiental. Logo, o presente trabalho apresenta uma avaliação da soja produzida no estado do Rio Grane do Sul, a partir da construção de um inventário do ciclo de vida representativo da região em estudo. O estudo foi conduzido do berço ao portão da fazenda a partir de dados primários específicos para as etapas que constituem o elo principal da produção da soja do Rio Grande do Sul, referente à safra 2012/2013. Dados secundários foram obtidos a partir da literatura e bases de dados disponíveis no software SimaPro®. Os dados de inventário foram coletados em 23 municípios que, juntos, respondem por 32% da produção total de soja do estado. Cenários alternativos para mudança no uso da terra apresentaram valores de emissão variando entre 0,03 – 1,03 t CO2 eq. ha-1. A Avaliação de Ciclo de Vida foi conduzida a partir destes dados e o escore normalizado calculado a partir do método CML 2001 revelou uma significativa contribuição da etapa de semeadura e fertilização em decorrência do uso de fertilizante fosfatado. O potencial para aquecimento global foi majoritariamente influenciado pela Mudança de Uso da Terra.Nowadays, the use of biomass for biofuel production is a widely discussed issue, mainly because of environmental impacts. Soybeans are the main raw material used for the Brazilian biodiesel production, and Rio Grande do Sul is one of the largest producers of soybean in Brazil and the world. Its importance is due mainly because of its versatility, being employed, also, for example, in food, agricultural and chemical industries. However, there are no studies of the environmental performance of the soy produced in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In this scenario, the Life Cycle Assessment is presented as a tool to evaluate the environmental performance. Therefore, this paper presents an assessment of the environmental performance of the soy produced in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, from the construction of an representative life cycle inventory of the study area. The study was conducted from cradle to gate of the farm from specific primary data for the steps which are the main link in the production of soybeans in the Rio Grande do Sul, on the 2012/2013 harvest. Secondary data were obtained from the literature and databases available on SimaPro® software. The inventory data were collected in 23 municipalities that together account for 32% of total production of soybean state. Alternative scenarios for change land use change show emission values ranging from 0. 03 to 1. 03 eq. ha-1 t CO2. The Life Cycle Assessment was conducted from these data and the normalized score calculated from the CML 2001 method revealed a significant contribution seeding and fertilization stage due to the use of phosphate fertilizer. The potential for global warming was largely influenced by the Land Use Change