Efficiency analysis of a congested Brazilian airport applying slots optimization control: Congonhas Airport Case

The current slot allocation mechanism in Brazil, based on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) rules, and its supplementary local regulation The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), displays a few issues and limitations (e.g. slot misuse, allocation inefficiencies). Such issues are particularly present in the case of busy airports that works near their maximum capacity for major parts of the day. This inefficiency problem is generated because of the complexity of slot allocation added to the limited decision support available for the Brazilian system. This study focuses on the implementation of an optimal slot model, based on IATA regulations with local adaptations from ANAC at Congonhas Airport (CGH/SBSP). Final results include the reallocated slots examined within airport capacity limits and declared capacity for flights GOL 1389 and GOL 1666. This optimal solution represents an improvement in the slot allocation efficiency of 35,22% and 67,83% for flights GOL 1389 for GOL 1666 respectively. The main limitation is that the model focuses only on the availability of slots and their optimization. No consideration is given to the airport capabilities such as gate availability, baggage handling capacity and aircraft size. This leads to a less systemic analysis of the whole system

LIVER BIOPSY: IMPORTANCE OF SPECIMEN SIZE IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND STAGING OF CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS

Liver biopsy is the gold standard method for the grading and staging of chronic viral hepatitis, but optimal biopsy specimen size remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of liver specimen (number of portal tracts) and to evaluate the impact of the number of portal tracts in the staging of chronic hepatitis. Material and Methods: 468 liver biopsies from consecutive patients with hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus infection from 2009 to 2010 were evaluated. Results: The length of fragment was less than 10 mm in 43 cases (9.3%), between 10 and 14 mm in 114 (24.3%), and ≥ 15 mm in 311 (64.4%); of these, in 39 (8.3%) cases were ≥ 20 mm. The mean representation of portal tracts was 17.6 ± 2.1 (5-40); in specimens ≥ 15 mm the mean portal tract was 13.5 ± 4.7 and in cases ≤ 15 mm was 11.4 ± 5.0 (p = 0.002). Cases with less than 11 portal tracts were associated with F3, and cases with 11 or more portal tracts with F2 (p = 0.001). Conclusion: this study demonstrated the good quality of liver biopsy and a relationship between the macroscopic size of the fragment and the number of portal tracts

Aerosol-assisted production of mesoporous titania microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity: The basis of an improved process

An aerosol-based process was used to prepare mesoporous TiO2 microspheres (MTM) with an average diameter in the range of 0.5-1 μm. The structural characteristics and photocatalytic properties of the synthesized materials were determined. As-prepared MTM materials and those heated in air from 400 to 600 °C exhibited mesoporous texture with a narrow size distribution and an inorganic framework that consisted of 4-13 nm anatase crystallites. Pore volumes for the MTM materials were in the range of 0.17-0.34 cm3 g-1. Microspheres heated to 400 °C presented a locally ordered mesopore structure and possessed X-ray diffraction d spacings between 9.8 and 17.3 nm. Heating above 400 °C resulted in a loss of the mesoscopic order, a decrease of the surface area, retention of the porosity, and an increase of the anatase nanoparticle size to 13 nm. The accessibility of the pore volume was measured by monitoring the uptake of gallic acid (GA) using Fourier transform IR. The MTM materials made excellent catalysts for the photodegradation of GA, with the performance being higher than that of an equivalent sample of Degussa P25. The present MTM materials are advantageous in terms of their ease of separation from the aqueous phase, and hence a novel photocatalytic process is proposed based on separate adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition steps with an improved and more rational use of both catalyst and sunlight.Fil: Araujo, Paula Zulema. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Luca, Vittorio. Australian Nuclear Science And Technology Organisation; Australia. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Bozzano, Patricia B.. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Bianchi, Hugo Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Soler Illia, Galo Juan de Avila Arturo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Blesa, Miguel Angel. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

GALEX and Optical Light Curves of WX LMi, SDSSJ103100.5+202832.2 and SDSSJ121209.31+013627.7

{\it GALEX} near ultraviolet (NUV) and far-ultraviolet (FUV) light curves of three extremely low accretion rate polars show distinct modulations in their UV light curves. While these three systems have a range of magnetic fields from 13 to 70 MG, and of late type secondaries (including a likely brown dwarf in SDSSJ121209.31+013627.7), the accretion rates are similar, and the UV observations imply some mechanism is operating to create enhanced emission zones on the white dwarf. The UV variations match in phase to the two magnetic poles viewed in the optical in WX LMi and to the single poles evident in the optical in SDSSJ1212109.31+013627.7 and SDSSJ103100.55+202832.2. Simple spot models of the UV light curves show that if hot spots are responsible for the UV variations, the temperatures are on the order of 10,000-14,000K. For the single pole systems, the size of the FUV spot must be smaller than the NUV and in all cases, the geometry is likely more complicated than a simple circular spot.Comment: 29 pages, 4 tables, 10 figures, Astrophysical Journal, accepte

Pesquisa de Staphylococcus aureus nas mãos dos acadêmicos do Curso de Medicina do Centro Universitário de Volta Redonda - UniFOA

O Staphylococcus aureus (SA) é o agente etiológico de infecções cutâneas, mais evitáveis através de uma higiene adequada, o que onera a área de saúde. Estudo do comportamento das cepas é fundamental, uma vez que existem indivíduos na comunidade que se encontram colonizados por cepas resistentes. Este quadro se deve em parte a antibiótico terapia inadequada e auto-medicação, com desvalorização da técnica asséptica e associado a concentração de pessoas em meio hospitalar tornando fácil a disseminação do microrganismo. O trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a presença do SA nas mãos dos estudantes do curso de medicina do UniFOA através de uma amostragem significativa. A pesquisa se deu com 20% dos alunos do primeiro ao oitavo período do curso de medicina do UniFOA. Todos responderam questionário sobre hábitos de higiene com as mãos, após assinatura de termo de consentimento. As amostras foram coletadas com auxílio de swabs, e os mesmos foram imersos em solução NaCl à 0,85% estéril, para que pudessem ser realizadas diluições decimais e as mesmas plaqueadas. A identificação dos microrganismos se deu por coloração de Gram e provas bioquímicas. O Teste de Susceptibilidade aos Antimicrobianos (TSA), foi realizado conforme CLSI 2010. Das mãos de 96 alunos pesquisados. A positividade total da amostra foi de 37 (38,54%), com média de 20 UFC/ml. Conforme coloração de Gram, teste da Proteína A 25 (34,72%) apresentaram-se colonizadas por Staphyloccoccus, onde 7 (28%) Staphyloccoccus Coagulase Negativa (SCN) e 18 (72%) SA. A incidência maior de SA foi masculina 36%. Verificou-se um número elevado de indivíduos colonizados entre o primeiro e o quarto período (92%). O TSA revelou que 38,54% das cepas são resistentes a clindamicina induzidas por eritromicina, e 24,32 % das cepas apresentaram-se com resistência a penicilina. O perfil de resistência a antimicrobianos, exibido pelas cepas pesquisadas, valoriza a importância de prevenir possíveis contaminações

Low triglyceride levels are associated with a better metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although it is well known in the literature that high triglyceride serum (TG) levels can jeopardize the metabolic control, little is known about the influence of low TG on type 1 diabetes patients (T1D). The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of TG serum levels in individuals with T1D and its relationship with metabolic control.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We reviewed the medical charts of 180 patients with T1D, who were classified in groups according to TG levels: 1) low (below 50 mg/dL); 2) normal (50-150 mg/dL); 3) high (above 150 mg/dL). TG were low in 21.1% (n = 38; group 1), normal in 68.6% (n = 123; group 2) and high in 10.6% (n = 19; group 3). High TG was associated with a poor metabolic control (p < 0.001). Patients with TG lower than 50 mg/dL had a lower HbA1c than those with TG between 50 and 150 mg/dL (7.41+/-1.50% vs 8.56%+/-1.94%; p = 0.002).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>TG lower than 50 mg/dL was common and might be associated with a better metabolic control in patients with T1D, although it is not clear whether the former is the cause or consequence for the latter.</p

Pharmacokinetic and local toxicity studies of liposome-encapsulated and plain mepivacaine solutions in rats

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOThe pharmacokinetics and the local toxicity of commercial and liposome-encapsulated mepivacaine formulations injected intra-orally in rats were studied. Animals were divided in groups (n=4-6) and treated with 0.1 mL of the formulations: 2% mepivacaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (MVC(2%EPI)), 3% mepivacaine (MVC(3%)), and 2% liposome-encapsulated mepivacaine (MVC(LUV)). The results showed that the 2% liposome-encapsulated mepivacaine reduced C(max), prolonged AUC(0-infinity) and t(1/2) compared with 3% plain and 2% vasoconstritor-associated mepivacaine, after intraoral injection. In addition, it was also observed that liposomal mepivacaine might protect the tissue against local inflammation evoked by plain or vasoconstrictors-associated mepivacaine, giving supporting evidence for its safety and possible clinical use in dentistry1726876FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP [Proc 06/00121-9]2006/00121-9sem informaçã