Transesterification of vegetable oils: Simulating the replacement of batch reactors with continuous reactors

A kinetic model was employed to represent biodiesel production via transesterification of vegetable oils. Reaction rate constants found in the open literature were used in order to compare the behavior of batch and continuous processes. A single continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) under the usual operation conditions was not capable of achieving the same productivity as a batch process. However, when reactors in series were used, the continuous process presented a behavior similar to batch processes. As a result, it was evidenced that a series of CSTRs can be an industrially feasible choice for replacing batch transesterification reactors in large scale biodiesel plants. Further, it was shown that the loss in productivity caused by changing from batch to continuous process can be compensated by means of using higher catalyst concentrations. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.101218151815

Improvement of dermal parameters in aged skin after oral use of a nutrient supplement

Flávia Alvim Sant’Anna Addor,1 Juliana Cotta Vieira,2 Camila Sirieiro Abreu Melo2 1MEDCIN Research, Osasco, Brazil; 2Farmoquímica S.A., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Purpose: Skin aging is a progressive and degenerative process caused by a decrease in the physiological functions of the skin tissue. In addition, environmental factors as well as concomitant diseases and lifestyle (nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, etc) negatively impact the aging process. An association between oral administration of collagen peptides combined with vitamin C and extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Aristotelia chilensis (Delphynol®) (Eximia Firmalize Age complex®) on dermal thickness was studied and the improvement in aging signs was evaluated.Patients and methods: Female adult patients received an oral nutritional supplement containing collagen peptides, vitamin C, H. sabdariffa, and A. chilensis (Delphynol) in a sachet and were instructed to consume 1 sachet diluted in 200 mL of water once daily for 12 weeks. They were evaluated clinically, by high frequency ultrasound and cutometry.Results: There was a significant improvement of firmness and elasticity and an increase in dermal thickness by ultrasound after 3 months of use.Conclusion: The association of collagen peptides, vitamin C, H. sabdariffa and A. chilensis (Delphynol) could improve the signs of dermal skin aging. Keywords: aging, collagen, ultrasound, dermis, antioxidant, flavonoids, peptide

Edge effects and landscape matrix use by a small mammal community in fragments of semideciduous submontane forest in Mato Grosso, Brazil

A community of small mammals was studied in seasonal semideciduous submontane forest in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. This study evaluated the use of edge and matrix pasture, by different small mammal species. Overall, 31 areas were studied, with a total sampling effort of 33,800 trap x nights. Only seven of the 25 species captured in the study sites were able to use the pasture matrix; we classified these species as generalists. Fourteen species were found to be intermediate in habits, being able to use forest edges. We found only four species habitat specialists, occurring only on transect lines in the interior of the fragment, at least 150 m from the edge. Transects located in the pasture matrix and 50 m from the edge had significantly lower species richness and abundance than transects located in the fragment edge or in the interior of the fragment. All transects located within the fragment had similar species richness and abundance, but transects located 50 m from the edge had slightly lower, but non-significant, species richness than transects located 100 m apart from edges. Rarefaction curves demonstrated that only medium-sized fragments (100 300 ha) reached an asymptote of species accumulation. The other areas require further sampling, or more sampling transect, before species accumulation curves stabilize, due to a continued increase in species number

Quality of life in women with breast cancer, after surgical intervention, in a city in the zona da mata region in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Objectives: To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with breast cancer, after surgical intervention, attended at the regional Oncology Referral Hospital in Juiz de Fora (MG). Methods: 121 women were evaluated and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLC 30 BR23) was applied. After the descriptive analysis, a multiple linear regression model was created. The SPSS 14 was used to build the database and to conduct the analysis. Results: the mean values of the EORTC QLC 30 BR23 showed a tendency for good HRQoL, thus, the functional scale showed the most impairment with the worst mean scores observed. There was statistical significance among the symptoms scale and obese women who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy and those who had a greater number of dissected lymph nodes. The subjective perceptions influenced all the EORTC QLC 30 BR23domains. Conclusions: after controlling the variable by functional hand, and time of surgery, the BMI variables, breast reconstruction, heavy feeling in the arm, range of motion (ROM) reduction of the shoulder, and the tight shirt-sleeve sensation proven capable of explaining HRQoL. HRQoL appears to be relatively good, but negatively influenced by subjective perceptions, in addition to treatment factors.