Life cycle energy of vehicles on lightweighting and alternative powertrain strategies—A review

To improve vehicles environmental performance, different strategies have been explored namely to reduce the use stage energy. In order to avoid problem shifting, a life cycle perspective should be used to compare alternative solutions. This paper aims to compare existing studies focused on life cycle energy (LCE) of vehicles to analyze the impacts and benefits regarding two trending improvement strategies: lightweight materials and alternative powertrain selection. A Literature review was performed to systematize quantitatively the LCE results of different studies (e.g. presented among figures, tables, and literature text). The LCE results were compiled and normalized for the same driving distance, 200 000 km, per life cycle stage. Moreover, the study discusses research findings on the application of the two strategies to improve overall vehicles’ LCE. As lightweight materials have generally higher embodied energy, the material selection is highly influenced by end-of-life scenarios. It was observed that carbon/glass fiber composites generally have the highest embodied energy, being a preferable option for vehicles that last longer driving distances. Innovative powertrains sourced by renewable energy sources, electric mixes, can significantly reduce vehicles’ LCE use stage, counteracting the benefit of lightweight design. Thus, the benefit of both strategies should be studied together.This research was funded by European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement “No. 810764”, and by the regional European and development fund through the grant POCI-01- 0247-FEDER-046095. This work was supported by project Base Funding – UIDB/04730/2020 of the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Industrial Technology – CIETI; LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE) and UIDB/00511/2020 - UIDP/00511/2020 (LEPABE) funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sorption of lead (Pb2+) from aqueous solutions using chars obtained in the pyrolysis of forestry pine, rubber tires and plastics

Carbonaceous solid products resulting from thermochemical processes (pyrolysis, gasification), commonly known as chars, are emerging as low-cost sorbents of metallic contaminants, being their effectiveness already demonstrated in several studies (Inyang et al., 2012; Fuente-Cuesta et al., 2012; Ko³odyñska et al., 2012; Quek and Balasubramanian, 2009; Devecia and Kar, 2013). Given the fact that the commercial viability of pyrolysis and gasification plants for the treatment and valorisation of waste streams are increasingly being demonstrated, it is expected that large amounts of solid chars will be available in a near future, as by-products or as main products (pyrolysis-carbonization). Chars may possess several characteristics which turn them effective as heavy metals sorbents: aromatic carbon matrix with relatively porous structures, the presence of functional groups or inorganic inclusions in the surface providing active sites to interact with metallic species (Inyang et al., 2012; Fuente-Cuesta et al., 2012; Ko³odyñska et al., 2012; Quek and Balasubramanian, 2009; Devecia and Kar, 2013; Lu et al., 2012). Lead (Pb2+) is considered as a priority substance in the field of European water policy (EU, 2000; EU, 2008) which means that measures shall be taken by the Member States to eliminate or reduce the water pollution caused by this pollutant in order to fulfill the emission/discharge limits legislated for this compound

Leaching behaviour and ecotoxicity evaluation of chars from the pyrolysis of forestry biomass and polymeric materials

The main objective of this study was to assess the environmental risk of chars derived from the pyrolysis of mixtures of pine, plastics, and scrap tires, by studying their leaching potential and ecotoxicity. Relationships between chemical composition and ecotoxicity were established to identify contaminants responsible for toxicity. Since metallic contaminants were the focus of the present study, an EDTA washing step was applied to the chars to selectively remove metals that can be responsible for the observed toxicity. The results indicated that the introduction of biomass to the pyrolysis feedstock enhanced the acidity of chars and promote the mobilisation of inorganic compounds. Chars resulting from the pyrolysis of blends of pine and plastics did not produce ecotoxic eluates. A relationship between zinc concentrations in eluates and their ecotoxicity was found for chars obtained from mixtures with tires. A significant reduction in ecotoxicity was found when the chars were treated with EDTA, which was due to a significant reduction in zinc in chars after EDTA washing

Life cycle assessment of advanced bioethanol production from pulp and paper sludge

This work evaluates the environmental performance of using pulp and paper sludge as feedstock for the production of second generation ethanol. An ethanol plant for converting 5400 tons of dry sludge/year was modelled and evaluated using a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment approach. The sludge is a burden for pulp and paper mills that is mainly disposed in landfilling. The studied system allows for the valorisation of the waste, which due to its high polysaccharide content is a valuable feedstock for bioethanol production. Eleven impact categories were analysed and the results showed that enzymatic hydrolysis and neutralisation of the CaCO3 are the environmental hotspots of the system contributing up to 85% to the overall impacts. Two optimisation scenarios were evaluated: (1) using a reduced HCl amount in the neutralisation stage and (2) co-fermentation of xylose and glucose, for maximal ethanol yield. Both scenarios displayed significant environmental impact improvements

Infection with hypervirulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis triggers emergency myelopoiesis but not trained immunity

IntroductionDuring infection, bone marrow (BM) hematopoiesis is reprogrammed toward myeloid cell production, a mechanism named emergency myelopoiesis. In addition to replenishing myeloid cells, emergency myelopoiesis has been linked to trained immunity, a process that allows enhanced innate immune responses to secondary challenges. Although hematopoietic alterations during tuberculosis (TB) have been described and Mycobacterium tuberculosis may colonize the BM, studies using the mouse model of infection and the laboratory reference strain M. tuberculosis H37Rv have demonstrated limited emergency myelopoiesis and trained immunity.MethodsTo further address this issue, we aerosol- infected C57BL/6 mice with high doses of the hypervirulent M. tuberculosis isolate HN878 and monitored alterations to the BM. This experimental model better resembles the human blood immune signature of TB.Results and discussionWe found increased frequencies of lineage-Sca-1+cKit+ (LSK) cells and the granulocyte/macrophage progenitor (GMP) population. At the mature cell level, we observed an increase of monocytes and neutrophils in the blood and lung, likely reflecting the increased BM myeloid output. Monocytes or monocyte-derived macrophages recovered from the BM of M. tuberculosis HN878-infected mice did not show signs of trained immunity, suggesting an uncoupling of emergency myelopoiesis and trained immunity in the BM. Surprisingly, M. tuberculosis HN878-induced emergency myelopoiesis was not fully dependent on IFNγ, as mice lacking this cytokine and infected under the same conditions as wild-type mice still presented BM alterations. These data expand our understanding of the immune response to M. tuberculosis and raise awareness of pathogen strain-imposed differences to host responses

Life-cycle assessment of microalgae biodiesel: a review

Microalgae are an attractive way to produce biofuels due to the ability to accumulate lipids and very high photosynthetic yields. This article presents a review of life-cycle assessment studies of microalgae biodiesel production, including an analysis of modeling choices and assumptions. A high variation in GHG emissions (between -0.75 and 2.9 kg CO2eq MJ-1) was found and the main causes were investigated, namely modeling choices (e.g. the approach used to deal with multifunctionality), and a high parameter uncertainty in microalgae cultivation, harvesting and oil extraction processes

A hydrogen-bonded assembly of cucurbit[6]uril and [MoO2Cl2(H2O)2] with catalytic efficacy for the one-pot conversion of olefins to alkoxy products

The reaction of the macrocyclic cavitand cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and the diaqua complex [MoO2Cl2(H2O)2] in hydrochloric acid solution gave a water insoluble supramolecular compound with the general composition 2[MoO2Cl2(H2O)2]·CB[6]·xH2O·yHCl·z(CH3COCH3) (2). Single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the presence of barrel-shape supramolecular entities, {CB[6]·10(H2O)}, aligned in layers which are shifted relative to adjacent layers to form a brick-like pattern. The CB[6]/water hydrogen-bonded entities further engage in intermolecular interactions with water, HCl and [MoO2Cl2(H2O)2] molecules to form a three-dimensional (3D) framework. Compound 2 was characterised by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), IR and Raman vibrational spectroscopy, and 13C{1H} CP MAS NMR. The reference complex [MoO2Cl2(H2O)2]·(diglyme)2 (1) and compound 2 were studied for the oxidative catalytic conversion of olefins (cis-cyclooctene, cyclohexene and styrene) with aqueous H2O2 as oxidant. Using alcohols as solvents, 2 was employed in a one-pot two-stage strategy for converting olefins to alkoxy products, which involves oxidation (with H2O2) and acid chemistry. Mechanistic studies were carried out using different intermediates as substrates, and the type of solvent and substrate scope were investigated. The results demonstrated the ability of the CB[6]/MoVI supramolecular adduct to function as an acid-oxidation multifunctional catalyst, and its recovery and reuse via relatively simple procedures.We acknowledge the support of CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials [FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) Ref. UID/CTM/50011/2019], REQUIMTE-LAQV (UID/QUI/50006/2019), Centre of Marine Sciences – CCMAR (UID/Multi/04326/2019), and the CENTRO 2020 Regional Operational Programme (Project CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-028031; PTDC/QUI-QOR/28031/2017), co-financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and the European Union (EU) through the European Regional Development Fund under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement. The FCT and the EU are acknowledged for a Ph.D. grant to L. S. N. (PD/BD/109666/2015). The positions held by M. M. A. and A. C. G. were funded by national funds (OE), through FCT, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of article 23 of the Decree-Law 57/2016 of 29 August, changed by Law 57/2017 of 19 July.publishe

Vigilância da Tuberculose nos Profissionais de Saúde como contributo na erradicação de uma Pandemia

A Tuberculose é uma doença infeciosa causada pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis que, apesar do tratamento disponível, constitui uma causa de morbimortalidade global significativa. Pode atingir qualquer órgão, mas afeta principalmente o pulmão, sendo a via aérea, pela inalação de aerossóis ou microgotículas respiratórias contaminadas, a principal forma de infeção. O esforço global nas últimas décadas para um diagnóstico precoce e instituição de tratamento adequado permitiram retirar a Tuberculose das dez principais causas de mortalidade global, em 2019. A incidência mundial média é de dez milhões, provavelmente subestimada, configurando uma pandemia frequentemente esquecida que, contrariamente a outras doenças infeciosas, aumentou a sua incidência enquanto doença profissional.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Direct electrochemistry of the Desulfovibrio gigas aldehyde oxidoreductase

Eur. J. Biochem. 271, 1329–1338 (2004)This work reports on the direct electrochemistry of the Desulfovibrio gigas aldehyde oxidoreductase (DgAOR), a molybdenum enzyme of the xanthine oxidase family that contains three redox-active cofactors: two [2Fe-2S] centers and a molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide cofactor. The voltammetric behavior of the enzyme was analyzed at gold and carbon (pyrolytic graphite and glassy carbon) electrodes. Two different strategies were used: one with the molecules confined to the electrode surface and a second with DgAOR in solution. In all of the cases studied, electron transfer took place, although different redox reactions were responsible for the voltammetric signal. From a thorough analysis of the voltammetric responses and the structural properties of the molecular surface of DgAOR, the redox reaction at the carbon electrodes could be assigned to the reduction of the more exposed iron cluster, [2Fe-2S] II, whereas reduction of the molybdopterin cofactor occurs at the gold electrode. Voltammetric results in the presence of aldehydes are also reported and discussed