A pinch-based method for defining pressure manipulation routes in work and heat exchange networks

Aiming for more energetically efficient and sustainable solutions, academic attention to work and heat integration (WHI) has grown in the last decade. Simultaneous models for work and heat exchanger network (WHEN) synthesis often derive from heat integration (HI) frameworks. However, it can be noted that simultaneous optimization models for WHI are considerably more complex to solve than in the HI case. The design of efficient pressure manipulation routes (i.e., allocation and sizing of compression and expansion machinery) in process streams prior to heat exchange match allocation can make the optimization procedure more efficient. This work proposes a systematic procedure based on a model that employs Pinch Analysis concepts for defining these routes based on capital and operating cost targets. The solution approach is a hybrid meta-heuristic method based on Simulated Annealing (SA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The obtained routes are then converted into a HI problem by fixing pressure manipulation unit sizes. The detailed HI solution is finally transferred into a WHI optimization model as initial design. In the two tackled examples, the total annual costs (TAC) predicted by the Pinch-based model differed by 0.5% and 1.2% from the final optimized WHEN obtained in the detailed WHI framework.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel – Processes 88887.360812/2019–00 and 88881.171419/2018–01 – CAPES (Brazil) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development – Processes 305055/2017–8, 428650/2018–0 and 311807/2018–6 – CNPq (Brazil)

Pancreatite Paraduodenal: Três Casos com Diferentes Abordagens Terapêuticas

BACKGROUND: Paraduodenal pancreatitis is a rare cause of chronic abdominal pain characterized by an inflammatory process and scarring in the groove area between the pancreatic head and the duodenal wall. Besides abdominal pain, symptoms such as vomiting and weight loss are common. Currently, advances in radiological and endoscopic diagnostic methods allow it to be identified without histological confirmation, although the differentiation from pancreatic adenocarcinoma could be challenging in some cases. Many therapeutic options are available nowadays including pharmacological, endoscopic, or surgical treatment. METHODS: We report 3 cases of paraduodenal pancreatitis that had different therapeutic approaches. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: They show that this pathology should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses with duodenal infiltration, and that its management should be individualized and judicious.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pulsed Radiofrequency Rhizotomy of the Genicular Nerves of the Knee Guided by Radioscopy and Ultrasonography: Step-By-Step Technique

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is highly prevalent and causes pain, stiffness, and harms the quality of life of millions of patients. Scientific evidence about radiofrequency ablation or rhizotomy of genicular nerves has been presented with increasing frequency in the literature for the treatment of chronic pain related to knee OA as an alternative to total knee arthroplasty. The main indication for this procedure is symptomatic OA unresponsive to conservative treatment, regardless of the disease evolution, although more common indications are in Kellgren-Lawrence grade III or IV, in post-total knee arthroplasty residual pain without an identified cause, in patients with comorbidities and high surgical risk, and those who do not want to undergo surgery. The aim of this study is to describe the step-by-step rhizotomy technique with pulsed radiofrequency of the 3 genicular nerves, guided by radioscopy and ultrasonography.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Do novel European Headache Federation criteria identify differences in migraine burden?: baseline data of an international real-life study on resistant and refractory migraine (REFINE)

Question. We evaluated if EHF criteria for resistant (RES) and refractory (REF) migraine identify patients with more severe migraine burden. Methods. We performed an observational, multi center, international study to compare baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and PROMs of non-resistant and non-refractory (NRNR) migraine, RES and REF individuals in the REFINE study. Results. We included 175 individuals with NRNR migraine, 133 (39.7%) with RES and 27 (8.0%) with REF. Individuals with RES and REF migraine as compared to those with NRNR reported higher monthly migraine days (median=8, IQR=5-14 vs. median=13, IQR=10- 17 and median=15, IQR=10-20; p≤0.001), months of chronification (median=24, IQR=12-72 vs. median=40, IQR=12-108 and median=60, IQR=18-96; p=0.044), monthly days of symptomatic drugs assumption (median=8, IQR=5-15 vs. median=12, IQR=9-20 and median=15, IQR=10-20; p≤0.001), medication overuse (19.4% vs. 45.9% and 40.7%; p≤0.001). They also had more comorbidities such as depression (18.3% vs. 31.1% and 44.4%; p=0.002) and anxiety (13.7% vs. 21.1% and 37%; p=0.009). In these groups, PROMs also revealed a higher presence of anxiety (p≤0.001) and depression (p≤0.001) symptoms and poorer sleep quality (p=0.006). Regarding specific perceptions about migraine, RES and REF individuals reported higher impact of migraine on daily life (p≤0.001) and work, household work, and social life (p≤0.001), along with a lower perception of the effectiveness of their ongoing treatment for migraine (p≤0.001), when compared to NRNR subjects (Table 1). Conclusion. RES and REF migraine is associated with relevant migraine burden considering migraine features, comorbidities and scores at several scales; the severe burdensome condition of RES and REF is confirmed by the median number of monthly migraine days and PROMs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of nutritional composition of flour residue of mangaba processing.

Among several fruits, mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomes), it aroused the interest of producers and consumers due to its attractive sensory characteristics and health beneficial properties (high nutritional value and presence of bioactive substances), thus, this work evaluates the nutritional factors of the flour residue of mangaba processing that is despised by the food industry, and the influence of temperature on its production. The mangaba processing residue was splited in two main groups: in natura sample (control), and other for preparation of flour that was dried at 50 °C and divided into two other groups: treatment A (flour with roasts at 110 °C and 130 °C) and treatment B (flour from drying at 50 °C). The nutritional characteristics of flours were analyzed considering the chemical parameters: pH, titratable total acidity and soluble solids, in addition to the determination of moisture content, total lipids, total dietary fiber and ash, total energy value, antioxidant activity, phytochemical screening, quantification of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, as well as technological functional properties (water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), milk absorption index (MAI) and milk solubility index (MSI) and oil absorption index (OAI). The results showed that the bioactive compounds present in the extracts do not have significant properties of acting as free radical kidnappers. The heat treatment, performed in the flour of mangaba processing residues, influenced the nutritional factors and properties of absorption and solubility, which showed statistical differences. These results show that the flour is a viable alternative for the energy enrichment of diets, contributing to the development of new products, the reduction of the disposal of these residues and consequently to the minimization of the environmental impact

Impact of climate change on eucalyptus plantations in southern Brazil.

Climate change may mean significant changes in crop productivity, including for planted forests, due to changes in climatic parameters. These impacts may be more intense in some regions of the country. Scientific investigation based on field data obtained over the long term and projected scenarios are important tools for planning and decision making that can help decrease vulnerability and risk for the forest sector in the near future. Along these lines, this study (which was conducted with support from Klabin S.A., a forest-based company) indicates changes that may be on the horizon, discusses climatic behavior in some regions of Brazil which are important centers for eucalyptus production, and projects impacts on productivity and carbon emissions/removal capacity in eucalyptus forests within the scenario of climate change. A highlight of this study is the use of the HadGEM2-ES model to predict rainfall, average temperature, evapotranspiration, water deficit, frost events, and minimum temperature at 10-year intervals until 2040. This is a differential, since other studies consider longer intervals. The study indicates climatic risk and the resulting impact on eucalyptus production in southern Brazil. However, detailed investigation in the municipalities of Itapetininga, Telêmaco Borba, and Otacílio Costa points to variations in the vulnerability of these environments. The study also examines the potential of these eucalyptus forests to accumulate carbon, indicating how and to what extent this function may be affected. Predicting potential changes is an intelligent way to prepare for and even ameliorate the impacts of climate change, thus making it possible to maintain the potential for the region and eucalyptus forests to make significant contributions to environmental quality and reaffirm the opportunities that are present for the forest sector within the context of the green economy and decarbonization of the economy

Phytochemical characterization, antioxidant potential and antibacterial activity of the Croton argyrophylloides Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae).

Croton argyrophylloides Muell. Arg., from the Euphorbiaceae family, popularly known as marmeleiro prateado or sacatinga, is a plant from the Caatinga biome commonly found in Brazil?s northeastern region. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the species. The phytochemical study was performed through qualitative analysis of chemical constituents and quantitative determination of the total phenol content through the Folin-Ciocalteu test. The qualitative and quantitative antioxidant tests were performed using the DPPH method (2.2 diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazil) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by microdilution in 96-well plates. The ethanolic extract of the leaves of C. argyrophylloides manifested antioxidant action in the quantitative DPPH test with a significant bioactivity of 84.70 AAO% in 500 µg/mL, with an EC50 of 236.79. The content of total phenolic compounds was 946.06 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of sample, and total flavonoids was 58.11 mg of quercetin equivalents/g of sample, the result obtained for FRAP was 15294.44 µM Trolox/g of sample and ABTS was 718 μM Trolox of sample. The prospecting of the chemical constituents of the leaves of C. argyrophylloides revealed the presence of the main compounds that manifests the antioxidant activity and it was proven by the DPPH method that there is antioxidant activity in the analyzed sample, in addition to demonstrating a significant content of phenolic compounds and total flavonoid content in the species, which corroborates the antioxidant activity of the plant sample. The leaf extracts presented growth inhibition halos of 10 and 12 mm upon Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923

Environmental characteristics, nutritional and executive functions in children of 6 to 7 years.

This study aimed to analyze the socio-environmental characteristics, executive and nutritional functions in children aged 6 to 7 years, from public schools in Alagoas, Brazil. A quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed involving 64 children of the mentioned age group, from public schools located in Alagoas: Maceió, on the coast; Major Isidoro, in the hinterland and Palmeira dos Índios, in the country. Such analyzes were made through the application of neuropsychological tests and anthropometric assessment with children and food and socio-environmental surveys with their parents. As for the type of housing, 100% were made of masonry, with a bathroom present in 98.4%. All children reported with the habit of bathing in the river / lagoon, presented some pathology. There was no significant difference between cities in terms of the sociodemographic characteristics evaluated, with the same result occurring with the factors associated with the occurrence of diseases in children. The subtests of WISC-IV, were below the average in all municipalities, and the TAC and SCC were classified within the average. However, even though the ranking were divided between below average and average, it is possible to identify from the subtests of WISC-IV, that the general IQ showed a cognitive level below the average. There was also no significant difference in the anthropometric assessment (weight, height, BMI and IMCI) between the evaluated students. The average weight was 23.3 kg to 25 kg, the height between 1.23 m to 1.24 m, the BMI between 16.4 to 17; the IMCI from 2.8 to 3.0. Children were classified within the average. Regarding micronutrients (Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na, and vitamins A, C, D, B1, B9 and B12) and calories, there was also no significant difference between the cities evaluated. The same occurred with macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids). This study showed that in general there was no difference between the students of the three municipalities. Probably, even though they are all public schools and from different cities, children have similar social conditions

A coleção fotográfica V-8

This article is about the historical photos of Campinas city and its characters, shot\ud by photographer Aristides Pedro da Silva, known as V-8. The study relates the paths taken by\ud the photographer, the collections sources and composition, the circulation of the images in\ud Campinas and the collections purchase by Unicamp/Centro de Memória (Memory Centre),\ud in addition to its organisation and preservation