Autothermal reforming of palm empty fruit bunch bio-oil: thermodynamic modelling

This work focuses on thermodynamic analysis of the autothermal reforming of palm empty fruit bunch (PEFB) bio-oil for the production of hydrogen and syngas. PEFB bio-oil composition was simulated using bio-oil surrogates generated from a mixture of acetic acid, phenol, levoglucosan, palmitic acid and furfural. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the hydrogen and syngas yields were not sensitive to actual bio-oil composition, but were determined by a good match of molar elemental composition between real bio-oil and surrogate mixture. The maximum hydrogen yield obtained under constant reaction enthalpy and pressure was about 12 wt% at S/C = 1 and increased to about 18 wt% at S/C = 4; both yields occurring at equivalence ratio Φ of 0.31. The possibility of generating syngas with varying H2 and CO content using autothermal reforming was analysed and application of this process to fuel cells and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is discussed. Using a novel simple modelling methodology, reaction mechanisms were proposed which were able to account for equilibrium product distribution. It was evident that different combinations of reactions could be used to obtain the same equilibrium product concentrations. One proposed reaction mechanism, referred to as the ‘partial oxidation based mechanism’ involved the partial oxidation reaction of the bio-oil to produce hydrogen, with the extent of steam reforming and water gas shift reactions varying depending on the amount of oxygen used. Another proposed mechanism, referred to as the ‘complete oxidation based mechanism’ was represented by thermal decomposition of about 30% of bio-oil and hydrogen production obtained by decomposition, steam reforming, water gas shift and carbon gasification reactions. The importance of these mechanisms in assisting in the eventual choice of catalyst to be used in a real ATR of PEFB bio-oil process was discussed

Perfil da mortalidade por intoxicação com medicamentos no Brasil, 1996-2005: retrato de uma década Profile of mortality by intoxication with medication in Brazil, 1996-2005: portrait of a decade

A ocorrência de óbitos por intoxicação com medicamentos tem sido considerada um dos agravos de saúde pública. O estudo descreve o perfil epidemiológico da mortalidade por intoxicação com medicamentos na população do Brasil entre 1996 e 2005. Realizou-se um estudo descritivo com dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade do Ministério da Saúde. Selecionaram-se os óbitos segundo a Classificação Internacional de Doenças (CID-10). Foram identificados 4.403 óbitos ocorridos em homens (53,9%), solteiros (53,7%) e faixa etária de 20-39 anos (44,0%). A maioria dos óbitos foi por autointoxicação intencional por anticonvulsivantes, sedativos, antiparkinsonianos e psicotrópicos. A taxa padronizada de mortalidade foi maior na região Centro-Oeste e os Anos Potenciais de Vida Perdidos aumentou durante o período estudado em 15,50%. O estudo apresentou as características e variações na mortalidade por intoxicação com medicamentos no Brasil que pode ser um reflexo do padrão de consumo dos medicamentos no país atrelado à necessidade de aprimoramento das políticas de vigilância sanitária.<br>The occurrence of deaths caused by intoxication with medication have been considered a worsening public health problem. The study describes the epidemiological profile of medication-related intoxication in the general Brazilian population from 1996 to 2005. A descriptive study was conducted with mortality data obtained from the Mortality Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Deaths were selected according to the codes of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). A total of 4,403 deaths were found inn males (53.9%), bachelors (53.7%) and the 20 to 39 year-old age bracket (44%). The majority of deaths were caused by intentional self-intoxication using anticonvulsants, sedatives, antiparkinsonians and psychotropics. The standardized mortality rate was higher in the Midwest region and Potential Life-Years Lost increased by 15.5%. The study showed the characteristics and variations in mortality by intoxication with medication in Brazil, which can be a reflex of the medication consumption patterns of the country, indicating the need for enhancement of sanitary vigilance policies

Manifestações fonoaudiológicas relatadas por pais de crianças com hipotireoidismo congênito Speech-language pathology manifestations reported by parents of children with congenital hypothyroidism

OBJETIVO: Identificar manifestações fonoaudiológicas apresentadas por crianças com hipotireoidismo congênito e investigar a associação de tais manifestações com a época do diagnóstico e o início do tratamento. MÉTODOS: Responsáveis por 15 crianças diagnosticadas com hipotireoidismo congênito e atendidas pelo Serviço de Referência em Triagem Neonatal dos estados de Rondônia e Acre responderam a um questionário no qual deveriam relatar principalmente queixas fonoaudiológicas. A idade das crianças variou de 2 a 7 anos, 67% de meninos e 33% de meninas. A média de idade da época do diagnóstico foi de 1 mês e 3 dias e o tratamento iniciou-se, em média, com 1 mês e 6 dias. A dosagem do medicamento variou entre 5 mg/dia e 100 mg/dia. RESULTADOS: As queixas relatadas foram: atraso para início da linguagem oral, trocas na fala, fala ininteligível, comportamento agitado e comportamento nervoso. Alguns responsáveis não referiram queixas. Verificou-se que a maioria dos sujeitos apresentou problemas na fala (80%) e a menor parte (7,7%), alteração auditiva. Para aqueles que referiram queixa, a média da época do diagnóstico e do início do tratamento foi mais tardia quando comparado àqueles que não as relataram. CONCLUSÃO: Foram relatadas manifestações fonoaudiológicas, principalmente relacionadas à fala. Além disso, houve associação entre a presença de queixa e problema de fala com a época do diagnóstico e o início do tratamento. Sugere-se a inserção do fonoaudiólogo no acompanhamento das crianças com hipotireoidismo congênito.<br>PURPOSE: To identify speech-language pathology manifestations presented by children with congenital hypothyroidism, and to investigate the association of such manifestations with the time of diagnosis and beginning of treatment. METHODS: Caregivers of 15 children diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism who attended the Reference Service on Neonatal Screening of the states of Rondônia and Acre answered a questionnaire in which they should report mainly speech-language pathology complaints. Children's age ranged from 2 to 7 years, 67% of boys and 33% of girls. The average age at the time of diagnosis was 1 month and 3 days, and treatment started, in average, at 1 month and 6 days. The dosage of the drug varied from 5 mg/day to 100 mg/day. RESULTS: The complaints reported were: delay in the onset of oral language, speech alterations, unintelligible speech, agitated and nervous behavior. Some caregivers did not report any complaints. It was found that most subjects had problems with speech (80%), and a few had hearing impairment (7.7%). For those who reported complaints, mean time of diagnosis and beginning of treatment was delayed when compared to those who did not report. CONCLUSION: Speech-language pathology manifestations were reported, especially regarding speech. Moreover, there was association between the presence of complaints and speech disorders with the time of diagnosis and beginning of treatment. It is suggested the inclusion of the speech-language pathologist and audiologist in the team monitoring the development of children with congenital hypothyroidism