Valorization of the inedible pistachio shells into nanoscale transition metal and nitrogen codoped carbon-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction

Making a consistency with the objectives of circular economy, herein, waste pistachios shells were utilized for the development of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts which are the key bottleneck in the technological evolution of electrolyzers and fuel cells, respectively. As an alternative to scarce and expensive platinum-group-metal (PGM) electrocatalysts, metal nitrogen carbons (MNCs) are emerging as a promising candidate for both aforementioned electrocatalysis where iron and nickel are the metal of choice for ORR and HER, respectively. Therefore, FeNCs and NiNCs were fabricated utilizing inedible pistachio shells as a low-cost biosource of carbon. The steps involved in the fabrication of electrocatalyst were correlated with electrochemical performance in alkaline media. Encouraging onset potential of similar to 0.88 V vs RHE with a possibility of a 2 +2 reaction pathway was observed in pyrolyzed and ball-milled FeNC. However, HF etching for template removal slightly affected the kinetics and eventually resulted in a relatively higher yield of peroxide. In parallel, the pyrolyzed NiNC demonstrated a lower HER overpotential of similar to 0.4 V vs RHE at -10 mA cm(-2). Nevertheless, acid washing adversely affected the HER performance and consequently, very high overpotential was witnessed

QUALIDADE MICROBIOLÓGICA E FÍSICO-QUÍMICA DO LEITE PASTEURIZADO PRODUZIDO NA REGIÃO OESTE DO PARANÁ

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade do leite pasteurizado produzido em Palotina - PR, comparando-se os resultados com os padrões da legislação nacional vigente, através de análises microbiológicas e físico-químicas. Foram coletadas aleatoriamente, 40 amostras de leites pasteurizados de diversos estabelecimentos comerciais de Palotina(PR). Deste total 16 amostras foram da marca X (08 tipo B e 08 desnatados, com inspeção estadual - SIP), 16 amostras da marca Y (08 tipo C e 08 desnatados com inspeção federal - SIF) e 08 amostras da marca Z (tipo C com inspeção federal - SIF). Após a coleta, as amostras foram enviadas imediatamente ao Laboratório de Controle Microbiológico de Água e Alimentos LACOMA, da UFPR Campus Palotina e estocadas em geladeira por um período máximo de 1 hora até o início das análises. Os resultados demonstraram que o produto estava dentro dos padrões aceitáveis para a contagem de mesófilos, psicrotróficos e coliformes fecais. Foi encontrado elevado percentual de amostras de leite peroxidase negativa (12 amostras 30%). Foi possível identificar 07 leites aguados, 05 suspeitos de aguagem, 01 com desnate parcial e 01 suspeito de desnate. Com os resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que as três marcas de leite comercializadas em Palotina apresentaram-se dentro dos padrões microbiológicos o que pode estar relacionado ao alto percentual de superaquecimento e que os resultados físico-químicos foram, de forma geral, insatisfatórios. Microbiological and physicalchemistry quality of pasteurized milks produced in the west region, Parana Abstract A survey has been carried out by means of microbiological and physical chemistry methods on the quality of pasteurized samples of milk from Palotina, Parana State, Brazil. Forty samples of pasteurized milks were gathered at several retail stores from Palotina. Sixteen samples labeled as X - 8 B and 8 skimmed milk, 16 samples labeled as Y - 8 C and 8 skimmed milk, and 8 samples labeled as Z - C milk, were analyzed at the Federal University of Paraná Laboratory for Water and Food Microbiological Control at Palotina Campus. After being stored at the refrigerator for one hour before the beginning of the analysis. According to the results found, all the milk samples analyzed were within the acceptable limits for mesophilic, psychrotroph and fecal coliform countings. An important data was the high percentage, as much as 30%, of negative peroxidase samples. In regard to the physical chemistry analysis carried out - fat, density at 15o C, total dry extract, unfat dry extract, cryoscopic index, phosphatase and peroxidase, the results were in general not satisfactories

Providing perioperative care for patients with hip fractures

Providing perioperative care for patients with hip fractures can present major challenges for the anaesthesiologist. These patients often have multiple comorbidities, the deterioration of any one of which may have precipitated the fall. A careful balance has to be achieved between minimising the time before operation and spending time to optimise their medical status. This review will present insights into preoperative patient assessment and optimization in this group of patients from the anaesthesiologists’ perspective. In particular, it will highlight important medical issues of concern that may alter anaesthetic risks and management. With a greater understanding of what these issues are, potentially a more prompt and integrated approach to managing these patients may be made. Hopefully, this would result in minimising last minute cancellations due to medical reasons for these patients

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Famílias que maltratam: uma tentativa de socialização pela violência Abusive families: an attempt of socialization through the violence

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo descrever o perfil das famílias envolvidas nas denúncias feitas ao programa SOS Criança de Curitiba entre os anos de 1995 e 2000. As pesquisadoras examinaram o conteúdo de 400 documentos, que continham o registro de crianças e adolescentes (entre 0 e 18 anos) vítimas de maus-tratos. A análise das denúncias comprovadas revelou que os vizinhos denunciaram mais freqüentemente (64,9%). As denúncias envolveram 51,0% de casos de agressão física, 34,4% de negligência intrafamiliar, 7,3% de abandono e 7,3% de abuso sexual. Das vítimas, 48,5% eram do sexo feminino e 51,5% do sexo masculino. Dos agressores, 54,1% eram mães, 15,3% eram pais e 14,4% eram pais e mães. Os maus-tratos são um desrespeito contra as crianças e ferem seus direitos. Concluiu-se que a situação é de urgência, necessitando mais estudos científicos e medidas sociais mais eficazes.<br>The goal of the current study was to describe the profile of the families involved in complaints done to the SOS Criança of Curitiba from 1995 to 2000. The researchers examined the content of 400 documents, related to the record of the victimized children and adolescents (aged 0-18 years old). The analysis of the data (which delations were confirmed) revealed that most of the complaints (64,9%) came from neighborhoods. The complaints involved 51,0% cases of physical aggression, 34,4% of neglect, 7,3% of abandon and 7,3% of sexual abuse. About the victims: 48,5% were girls and 51,5% were boys. About the aggressors: 54,1% were mothers, 15,3% were fathers and 14,4% were both of them. Abuse is disrespect against children and their rights. Authors conclude that the situation is urgent, more scientific studies and more social attitudes are necessary

Fertilidade de solos construídos em áreas de mineração de carvão na região sul de Santa Catarina Soil fertility of coal mining reclaimed areas in the southern region of Santa Catarina

Com o objetivo de analisar a fertilidade de solos construídos sobre áreas mineradas de carvão a céu aberto (28º35'50'' S e 49º25'26'' W) no Município de Siderópolis, SC, foram escolhidas duas áreas recuperadas em épocas distintas: área IV em 2002 e área VI em 2003. No centro de cada área foi estabelecida uma transecção de 100 m de comprimento, em que foram lançadas alternadamente à direita e à esquerda, a intervalos de 10 m, transecções perpendiculares de 20 m, em que foram coletadas nove amostras de solo (0 - 0,2 m). As nove amostras de cada grupo de dois transectos consecutivos foram reunidas em uma amostra composta, reduzindo o universo amostral de 90 para cinco amostras de solo de cada área. Foram analisados os teores de argila, pH, fósforo, potássio, matéria orgânica, alumínio, cálcio, magnésio, H + Al, soma das bases, CTC e saturação por bases. Em ambas as áreas, o teor de argila foi enquadrada na classe 3, o teor de matéria orgânica foi baixa, o pH e V% muito baixos, o Mg variou de médio a alto, a SB variou de baixa a média e a CTC foi considerada alta. Na área IV, o teor de P foi baixo, e o de Ca variou de médio a baixo, enquanto na área VI o teor de P variou de baixo a médio, e o de Ca foi baixo. Embora tenham sido observadas diferenças entre alguns dos parâmetros analisados, essas não foram severamente afetadas pelo tempo de recuperação das duas áreas.<br>With the objective of analyzing the fertility of soils built over open pit coal mining areas (28º35'50'' S e 49º25'26'' W) in the city of Siderópolis (SC), two areas of different reclamation ages were selected: area IV and area VI, reclaimed in 2002 and 2003, respectively. A 100m transection was established in the center of each area, where perpendicular 20m transects were tossed at regular intervals of 10m, alternating to the right and to the left, and nine soil samples were collected (0 - 0,2 m). The nine samples of each group of two consecutive transects were gathered into a compound sample, reducing the sampling universe from 90 to 5 samples of soil for each area. The contents of clay, pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, organic matter, Aluminum, Calcium, Manganese, H + Al, base sum, CTC and base saturation were analyzed. In both areas, the content of clay fell into class three category, the content of organic compound was low, the pH and V% significantly low. Manganese varied from medium to high, BS varied from low to medium and CTC was considered high. In area IV, the content of P was low and Ca varied from medium to low, while in area VI the content of P varied from low to medium and Ca was low. Although differences had been observed among some of the parameters analyzed, they were not severely affected by the reclaimed time of the two areas