An objective approach to evaluate environmental management in the offshore oil industry in Timor Sea, East Timor

This research is undertaken as a new venture to explore potential environmental management approaches for the development of the oil industry in East Timor. Particular focus will be given to environmental legislations in order to assess the possible impacts and control of oil industry development in East Timor. The country has newly emerged in the past decade and is still heavily reliant on immediate development of oil resources in order to boost the country’s economic prospects. Environmental laws and regulation are, however, still in an embryonic stage. This research begins with a review of the Timor Sea environment, focusing on the natural resources of the region. This is followed by a review of the potential environmental impacts of the oil industry, as well as an assessment of the importance of Timor Sea habitats and the possible threats posed by the oil industry. Of course, oil industry development mostly takes place offshore therefore the second part of the study involved a pilot study to evaluate stakeholders’ views on the possible impacts of an oil refinery along the South Coast of Timor. Stakeholders were interviewed to gain insight into opinions on how the Timor Sea environment should be managed, and how a new country can raise the living standards of its people in equilibrium with the natural environment of the region. International and national environmental regulatory frameworks were reviewed, including numerous case studies from selected regions. Data collected from stakeholders was analysed, with multivariate and univariate statistical tests employed to assess the significance of differences in responses. Moreover SWOT analyses methods were employed to analyse different environmental frameworks and regulations discussed. The main discoveries of the study include: 1) Mangroves, shallow deep-water coral reefs, seagrass, intertidal shelter sediment and rock are of high value to the Timor Sea and South Coast. In terms of animal groups turtles, dugongs, cetaceans and seabirds are considered to be of high conservation importance, 2) As environmental data or information is limited secondary data was also sourced for this study, 3) Development of the oil industry poses possible threats to the marine environment in the Timor Sea region, although it is localised and transitory in nature, 4) Stakeholders suggested that development of the oil industry should go ahead, but environmental regulations should be in place, 5) Environmental regulations must be adequate and include essential legal components such as clear responsibility, flexible environmental permit system, as well as adequate sanctions for non-compliance and effective monitoring and enforcement processes. The bottom line conclusions of this study is that while economic development should go ahead, measures for environmental protection should also be in place

Production Processes for Monoclonal Antibodies

Antibodies are glycoprotein structures with immune activity. They are able to identify or induce a neutralizing immune response when they identify foreign bodies such as bacteria, viruses, or tumor cells. Immunoglobulins are produced and secreted by B lymphocytes in response to the presence of antigens. The first monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have emerged from a survey of hybridomas, and nowadays mAbs are produced mostly from cultivations of these cells. Additionally, there are studies and patents using a range of cells and microorganisms engineered for the production of mAbs at commercial scale. For some years, new methodologies have advanced with new production processes, allowing scale-up production and market introduction. Large-scale production has revolutionized the market for monoclonal antibodies by boosting its production and becoming a more practical method of production. Production techniques have only had a sizable breakthrough due to molecular techniques. Various systems of production are used, including animal cells, microorganisms, plants, and mammary glands. All of these require the technological development of production process such as a stirrer, a wave bioreactor, and roller bottles

Biogas - Turning Waste into Clean Energy

Expertise in biogas production using anaerobic digestion (AD) can offer many benefits in addition to being an alternative source of energy. This process involves plant digesters and provides an alternative destination for biomass that would eventually go unutilized and deposited in a trash heap. The application of the appropriate plant digester technology can generate energy, and the gas produced can be used for many purposes, such as water and space heating, lighting, and grain drying. In this context, agro residues are one of the most abundant energy sources available world wide. Nevertheless, the bioconversion of organic matter to biogas is a complex process of AD that involves many reactions among several microorganisms living in a stable community. Microorganisms from many diverse genera of obligate anaerobes and facultative anaerobes constitute these steps, and four groups are recognized to be the most frequent in biogas production plants. These groups, in order of substrate hydrolysis, are hydrolytic, acidogenic, and acetogenic bacteria, followed by the core group, the methanogenic archaea. All together, they compose the operation of a systematized activity with synergistic effects that ensure the stability of the process

Condições de saúde autorreferidas, qualidade da Atenção Primária à Saúde e fatores associados segundo minorias sexuais e de gênero

Introduction: Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites, transsexuals, transgenders, queers, intersexes, asexuals, pansexuals and other sexual and gender minorities constitute a population that has been little studied regarding the use and care in health services. Objective: From this perspective, the general objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of Primary Health Care according to members of sexual and gender minorities. Methods: This is an evaluative research, with a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical design and a quantitative approach, performed by means of a web survey in Brazil. The script for data collection addressed sociodemographic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, self-reported health conditions and the 23 items of the Primary Care Assessment Tool, reduced version for adult users. Results: The results represent 314 LGBTQIAP+ people, predominantly young, white, cisgender, homosexual and bisexual, from the five Brazilian regions, highlighting the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo. The use of alcoholic beverages and other substances, the weight change and the presence of mental diseases were the most frequent self-reported health conditions. Primary health care was mostly evaluated with low overall scores, thus indicating low quality. The attributes “community guidance” and “coordination” (care integration) were marked by negative evaluations, indicating small extension. People belonging to sexual and gender minorities who worked, had kidney problems, had been hospitalized recently and that had their gender identity and sexual orientation known by health professionals were more likely to evaluate the Primary Health Care as good. Conclusion: This work points out as weaknesses in the care of the LGBTQIAP+ population the following atributes: family guidance, accessibility, longitudinality and available services, which can be prioritized to improve the quality of Primary Health Care in the Brazilian Unified Health System.Introdução: Lésbicas, gays, bissexuais, travestis, transexuais, transgêneros, queer, intersexos, assexuais, pansexuais e outras minorias sexuais e de gênero constituem uma população pouco estudada no que se refere ao uso e atendimento em serviços de saúde. Objetivo: Nessa perspectiva, o objetivo geral deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade da Atenção Primária à Saúde segundo integrantes de minorias sexuais e de gênero. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa avaliativa, com delineamento transversal, descritivo-analítico, de abordagem quantitativa, por meio de web survey no Brasil. O roteiro de coleta abordou características sociodemográficas, de orientação sexual, identidade de gênero, condições de saúde autorreferidas e os 23 itens do instrumento Primary Care Assessment Tool, versão reduzida para usuários adultos. Resultados: Os resultados representam 314 pessoas LGBTQIAP+, predominantemente jovens, brancos, cisgêneros, homossexuais e bissexuais, provenientes das cinco regiões brasileiras, com destaque para os estados de Minas Gerais e São Paulo. O uso de bebidas alcoólicas e outras substâncias, a alteração ponderal e a presença de doenças mentais foram as condições de saúde autorreferidas que mais se destacaram. A atenção primária à saúde foi majoritariamente avaliada com baixa pontuação geral, indicando baixa qualidade. Assinalam-se os atributos orientação comunitária e coordenação (integração de cuidados) pelas avaliações negativas, indicando pequena extensão. As pessoas de minorias sexuais e de gênero que trabalhavam, possuíam problema renal, haviam sido internadas recentemente e sua identidade de gênero e orientação sexual eram conhecidas pelos profissionais de saúde apresentaram mais chance de avaliar bem a Atenção Primária à Saúde. Conclusão: Este trabalho aponta como fragilidades no cuidado da população LGBTQIAP+ os atributos de orientação familiar, acessibilidade, longitudinalidade e serviços disponíveis que podem ser priorizadas para a melhoria da qualidade da Atenção Primária à Saúde do Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro.

CRIAÇÃO DE PLATAFORMA PARA A DEMOCRATIZAÇÃO DA COMERCIALIZAÇÃO DE PRODUTOS AGROECOLÓGICOS

Com grandes desastres ambientais e o gigante impacto da recorrente agricultura convencional, parcelas da população viram a necessidade do consumo e produção de produtos orgânicos. Por conseguinte, a busca pela área agroecológica teve aumento de 50% no início de 2020 e a exportação dos mesmos seguiu um rumo bem similar. Esta é uma tendência nacional, tanto que 2 mil novos agricultores orgânicos foram registrados no período citado. Entretanto, ainda há um grande limitador para o avanço agroecológico: a acessibilidade. Devido a fatores associados à produção, o valor de tais produtos se encontra normalmente elevado em grandes centros de mercados. Isso cria uma grande barreira entre o agricultor e consumidor, já que, para se adquirir os alimentos em preço compatível é necessário que o cliente procure o fornecedor. A partir dessa problemática surge a ideia deste projeto. Como o principal fator limitante é a falta de visibilidade regional de produtores que proporcionam preços acessíveis, a via para o início da solução deste problema é um meio que reúna a comunidade agrícola que almeja a produção orgânica e que os exponha para boa parte do mainstream que se interessa pelos produtos e tem (ou não) acesso ao gênero, justamente onde se encaixa o site ducampu aqui proposto. O objetivo é não somente ser um site, e sim expandir a conexão dos dois grupos, para que aumente a relação entre quem produz e quem consome, e sirva para o conhecimento das realidades de ambos, assim criando um networking direto de compra e venda. Outro ideal da plataforma é ser um marketplace quase abolido de concorrências, evitando a corrida de preços existente nos grandes centros de venda, os quais possuem valores e produção incomparáveis aos produtores de pequena escala. Para isso, a tentativa é pegar uma média do valor do alimento ofertado entre os fornecedores da região e vender todos a mesmo preço. Uma parcela do valor será destinada à manutenção do site, mas que não será abusiva ou exploradora. A intenção é justamente ter aparência simples e de fácil entendimento, o que até mesmo barateia os custos e atrai o público produtor, que em sua maioria não possui grande contato com tecnologias digitais. Já se tem serviços que proporcionam conteúdos parecidos, porém, o alvo aqui é exatamente atingir locais que tem chances de se tornarem grandes centros, mas que, devido à falta de manufatura, são ignorados. Para o início da implementação do site, a busca direta dos produtores é necessária devido ao problema mencionado (como formulários já desenvolvidos e quase prontos para serem aplicados). Porém, mesmo com as dificuldades previstas, grandes redes de supermercados, afirmam que a demanda de produtos orgânicos crescem 30% em Santa Catarina, ainda que com preços elevados. Além disso, a ideia suscita uma vontade geral de um público sem chance, que cada vez mais quer um acesso democrático regional a um estilo de consumo que promove o melhor manejo dos recursos naturais

Ponte miocárdica: revisão de literatura

Introdução: A ponte do miocárdio (PM) trata-se de uma patologia congênita coronariana onde um ou mais feixes de músculo cardíaco envolvem um segmento da artéria coronária, sendo a mais comum a artéria anterior esquerda. Objetivo: realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre ponte do miocárdio. Justificativa: A escassez na literatura sobre a PM objetivou a realização desse projeto. Metodologia: A pesquisa realizada neste trabalho é uma revisão integrativa de literatura. Foram realizadas buscas no PubMed, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e Scielo utilizando os descritores “myocardial bridging” e “ponte miocárdica”, sendo pesquisados apenas artigos de meta-análise e artigos de revisão. Desenvolvimento: Na maioria dos casos, a PM trata-se de uma patologia benigna e por isso bastante subdiagnosticada, mas nos pacientes sintomáticos manifestações da PM se assemelham à angina típica ou atípica e, em alguns casos, o próprio infarto agudo do miocárdio. A Cineangiocoronariografia é o exame padrão ouro para o diagnóstico da PM. Nos pacientes sintomáticos a primeira linha consiste no tratamento farmacológico utilizando betabloqueadores e bloqueadores de canais de cálcio, nos pacientes refratários estão indicados procedimentos invasivos. Considerações finais: Portanto, a PM pode resultar em quadros mais graves e até mesmo morte súbita sendo necessário a investigação desta patologia nos pacientes após a terceira década de vida com quadro clínico sugestivo, sendo recomendado para esses pacientes o início do tratamento farmacológico

Self-reported health conditions, quality of Primary Health Care and associated factors according to sexual and gender minorities

Introduction: Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites, transsexuals, transgenders, queers, intersexes, asexuals, pansexuals and other sexual and gender minorities constitute a population that has been little studied regarding the use and care in health services. Objective: From this perspective, the general objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of Primary Health Care according to members of sexual and gender minorities. Methods: This is an evaluative research, with a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical design and a quantitative approach, performed by means of a web survey in Brazil. The script for data collection addressed sociodemographic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, self-reported health conditions and the 23 items of the Primary Care Assessment Tool, reduced version for adult users. Results: The results represent 314 LGBTQIAP+ people, predominantly young, white, cisgender, homosexual and bisexual, from the five Brazilian regions, highlighting the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo. The use of alcoholic beverages and other substances, the weight change and the presence of mental diseases were the most frequent self-reported health conditions. Primary health care was mostly evaluated with low overall scores, thus indicating low quality. The attributes “community guidance” and “coordination” (care integration) were marked by negative evaluations, indicating small extension. People belonging to sexual and gender minorities who worked, had kidney problems, had been hospitalized recently and that had their gender identity and sexual orientation known by health professionals were more likely to evaluate the Primary Health Care as good. Conclusion: This work points out as weaknesses in the care of the LGBTQIAP+ population the following atributes: family guidance, accessibility, longitudinality and available services, which can be prioritized to improve the quality of Primary Health Care in the Brazilian Unified Health System

Microbiological quality, chemical profile as well as antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, commonly known as Brazilian peppertree, is a plant species widely used in Brazilian traditional medicine for various purposes. The objective of this study was to assess the microbiological quality, safety, chemical profile as well as antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials of different parts of S. terebinthifolius. Microbiological analysis of the methanolic extracts of the roots (MESR), stem bark (MESB) and leaves (MESL) of S. terebinthifolius showed no microbial growth. The concentrations of phenolic compounds, phenolic acids and flavonoids were determined by spectrophotometry. The phenolic compounds of the MESL were identified by liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector and mass spectrometer (LC-DAD-MS). The antioxidant activities of the extracts were analyzed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl radical (DPPH[rad]), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical (ABTS[rad] + ), fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), reducing power, β-carotene bleaching and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays in human erythrocytes. The antidiabetic properties of the extracts were demonstrated in vitro by their inhibition of the α-glucosidase enzyme and their anti-glycation activity via fructose and glyoxal. After showing no acute toxicity in vivo, MESL was able to lower postprandial glycemia after glucose overload in normoglycemic mice as well as the water and feed intake, liver weight, glycemia and serum levels of glycated hemoglobin, aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in diabetic mice. Overall, S. terebinthifolius extracts showed microbiological safety along with antioxidant and antidiabetic activities, likely mediated by its chemical constituents, such as gallic acid, gallotannins and glycosylated flavonolsThis work was supported by grants from Foundation to Support to Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio