Use of the mini-mental state examination in research on the elderly in Brazil: a systematic review

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used cognitive screening test around the world. In Brazil, different MMSE versions and many cut-off points have been used. A systematic review of papers indexed in Scielo was conducted in order to analyze use of the MMSE in Brazilian empirical studies with elderly people. To search for these texts, the complete name of the instrument and its abbreviation were used. A growth trend in the scientific production during the 1998 to 2013 period was observed. Eleven versions of the MMSE were identified and the Bertolucci et al. version was the most cited. Over half of the studies used schooling as the criteria to establish cut-off points. The studies were predominantly conducted using samples recruited from large cities in the Southeastern region and in the community. Despite the growing trend of research with the elderly using the MMSE, the psychometric properties of this scale of measurement have been the subject of little investigation. Despite the widespread use of the MMSE in Brazil, there is a lack of standardization and evidence of validity for this this scale of measurement.O Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) é o teste de rastreio cognitivo mais utilizado no mundo. No Brasil, diferentes versões e pontos de corte do MEEM têm sido usados. Para analisar seu uso em estudos empíricos brasileiros com idosos, efetuou-se uma revisão sistemática de artigos indexados na SciELO. Foram utilizados o nome completo do instrumento e sua abreviação para recuperar os textos. Observou-se uma tendência de crescimento da produção científica analisada, no período de 1998 a 2013. Foram mencionadas 11 versões do MEEM, destacando-se a de Bertolucci et al. Mais da metade das investigações fizeram uso da escolaridade como critério para estabelecer pontos de corte. Os estudos têm sido realizados predominantemente com amostras recrutadas em grandes cidades da região Sudeste e na comunidade. Não obstante a tendência de crescimento de pesquisas com idosos que utilizam o MEEM, as propriedades psicométricas dessa medida têm sido pouco investigadas. Apesar da ampla utilização do MEEM no Brasil, faltam padronização e evidências de validade para essa medida

New methodology based on static light scattering measurements for evaluation of inhibitors for in bulk CaCO3 crystallization

In the present work a new procedure for evaluation of scale inhibitor for calcium carbonate is proposed based on continuous measurement of particle size distribution by laser diffraction technique and simultaneous pH recording. From data obtained during real-time monitoring of the homogeneous nucleation and growth of CaCO3 particles formed in the bulk phase after the addition of carbonate ions to synthetic formation water (AF-W2), it was possible to evaluate the performance of four inhibitors classified in two groups: phosphonates (ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid, EDTMP; diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphonic acid, DETPMP) and polymeric inhibitors (phosphino poly carboxylic acid, PPCA; polyvinyl sulfonate, PVS). The comparative bulk crystallization inhibition efficiency for the evaluated inhibitors, under the experimental conditions used in this work, increases in the following order: EDTMP < DETPMP < PVS congruent to PPCA. Moreover, this methodology allowed the deduction of the main mechanism of their inhibiting action: nucleation inhibition or crystal growth retardation. (c) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.4205764Petrobras-CENPESANP [0050.0049964.09.9]ANP [0050.0049964.09.9

OXALATE AS AN INTERMEDIATE IN THE BASE-CATALYZED WATER-GAS SHIFT REACTION

65566967

Quartz Crystal Microbalance Evaluation of Inhibitors for Inorganic Scale

In this paper, the use of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) with a quartz crystal sensor coated with iron oxide is proposed to evaluate the efficacy of inhibitors in the prevention of scale formation. The quartz crystal was first iron-plated by electrodeposition over the original gold film on the outer side of the crystal and then oxidized. The iron oxide layer is more representative for an evaluation of the inhibitor's effectiveness because tubing and equipment in oil-industry facilities are made of low carbon steel that is coated with an iron oxide layer. The scale formation was conducted under a steady supersaturation condition. The experiments were performed with slow addition (0.2 cm(3)/min) of 40 cm(3) of Na2CO3 solution (1,000 ppm) to 200 cm(3) of synthetic formation water (AF-W2). The performance at 10 ppm concentration of two commercial scale inhibitors, diethylenetriamine penta(methylenephosphonic acid) (DETPMPA) and polyphosphonocarboxylic acid (PPCA), was evaluated. The mass variation on the iron oxide plated QCM crystal sensor, caused by CaCO3 deposition, is related to supersaturation, pH value, and efficacy of scale inhibitor. Scanning-electron-microscope (SEM) images show that besides calcite crystals, there are also deposits in the form of spherical lenses, which is characteristic of the polymorph vaterite.183583588Petrobras-CENPES [0050.0049964.09.9]Petrobras-CENPES [0050.0049964.09.9

Electrolytic removal of metals from industrial wastewater

The aim of this study was to establish an electrolytic method for removal of metals from wastewater, using a three-dimensional reticulated vitreous carbon cathode, assembled in a flow-through cell, During development of the experiments, particular attention was paid to the electrolyte flow rate and to cathode porosity. The electrolytic cell employed potential values in such a way that the metal reduction reactions occurred under mass transport control, These potentials were determined by hydrodynamic voltammetry on a vitreous rotating disc electrode, The cell proved efficient in removing copper, zinc and lead, and was; able to reduce the levels of these metals from 50 mg/L to 0.1 mg/L, The optimum configuration was cathode porosity of 80 ppi and solution flow in excess of 100 L/hr.8410596

Corrosion derived lubricant infused surfaces on X65 carbon steel for improved inorganic scaling performance

Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPS) are a relatively new and promising development in the surface engineering world. Bio-inspired with superior omniphobicity and robustness, SLIPS have enjoyed success in several scientific applications, spanning multiple industries from the marine environment to the medical field. Inorganic fouling is one such challenge SLIPS have managed to overcome by disrupting both the deposition and adhesion mechanics of scale. To date, the primary focus has been on adapting stainless steels while more prevalent pipeline materials, such as carbon steel, have been overlooked. Here a unique and simple SLIPS system has been fabricated from X65 carbon steel, with the potential for creation of a SLIPS system in situ. Utilizing the topographical features of an FeCO3 layer derived from CO2 corrosion, two SLIPS, one with perfluorinated Krytox oil and another with 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide have been tested. The SLIPS have been validated with prevailing models in SLIPS design literature and shed further insight into how this is determined experimentally. This SLIPS combination spares the use of a functionalization layer between the substrate/lubricant interface and displays enhanced anti-fouling capabilities in a calcium carbonate (CaCO3) scaling brine