Aergia number: A new non‐dimensional group for gas turbine power estimation

The work in this article defines an innovative approach to evaluate the performances of gas turbine based systems. This approach allows to link the thermodynamic and mechanical model of a gas turbine with its control system while bypassing the necessity to model the electrical generator. A non-dimensional group, called Aergia number, has been experimentally correlated with the measured electrical power output through a linear function. The Aergia number reproduces with accuracy the electrical power output during both steady state and transient operation. Furthermore, the proven linearity of the model implies that, in principle, its implementation requires the knowledge of just two data points during steady state operation. The model has been validated using two experimental facilities within the ENEA Casaccia Research Center, each equipped with a Turbec T100 S3 micro gas turbine, but characterized by different gas paths. Furthermore, the same linearity relation has been confirmed for aeroderivative and heavy duty single-, dual-, and triple-shaft gas turbines with power outputs ranging from 2 to 330 MWel. In light of these findings, the non-dimensional group Aergia positions itself, at least, as a rule of thumb for evaluating gas turbine off-design power output and, on a broader perspective, as a valid performance indicator in the definition of a gas turbine digital twin

Precisão das estimativas em modelos de regressão da energia metabolizável do milho para suínos em crescimento

Trabalho selecionado durante a VI Semana de Ciências Agrárias (VI SECIAGRA), realizada de 01 a 03/10/2012   The proposed objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of estimates of the parameters of equations to predict the metabolizable energy (ME) of corn to pigs  in function of chemical composition, obtained by the least squares method (LSM) and the simulation method p-bootstrap with different numbers of re-samples. We developed a database containing information about metabolism trials, which used the method of total collection of feces and urine in order to determine the chemical composition and ME value of corn for pigs with body weight between 10 and 65 kg. It was adjusted a multiple regression model of ME of corn in function of crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, ash and digestible energy, using the LSM. Then, were adjusted two regression models by bootstrap simulation, in which if used 1000 and10000 re-sampling. The regression model estimated by LSM presented the crude protein and the digestible energy as significant regressive, being watched smaller amplitude us confidence intervals (CI) compared the estimates using the p-bootstrap method with different sizes of re-samples. The amplitudes of CI of parameters were: intercept (1104.31, 1320.59 and 1348.63), crude protein (40.1, 44.34 and 43.79) and digestible energy (0.264, 0.327 and 0.323) for the LSM, bootstrap1000 and bootstrap10000, respectively. In the conditions observed, the parameter estimates of the regression model the ME of corn for pigs in function of crude protein and digestible energy are more accurate when used the LSM.O objetivo proposto no presente trabalho foi avaliar a precisão das estimativas dos parâmetros de equações de predição da energia metabolizável (EM) do milho para suínos em função da composição química, obtidas por meio do método dos mínimos quadrados (MMQ) e do método de simulação p-bootstrap com diferentes números de re-amostras. Elaborou-se um banco de dados contendo informações sobre ensaios de metabolismo, em que se utilizou o método de coleta total de fezes e urina, que objetivaram determinar a composição química e o valor de EM do milho para suínos com massa corporal entre 10 e 65 kg. Foi ajustado um modelo de regressão múltipla da EM do milho em função de proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, fibra bruta, matéria mineral e energia digestível, utilizando-se do MMQ. Em seguida, foram ajustados dois modelos de regressão por simulação bootstrap, em que se utilizaram 1000 e 10000 re-amostragens. O modelo de regressão estimado pelo MMQ apresentou a proteína bruta e a energia digestível como regressoras significativas, sendo observado menor amplitude nos intervalos de confiança (IC) quando comparado às estimativas utilizando o método p-bootstrap com diferentes tamanhos de re-amostras. As amplitudes dos IC dos parâmetros foram: intercepto (1104,31, 1320,59 e 1348,63), proteína bruta (40,1, 44,34 e 43,79) e energia digestível (0,264, 0,327 e 0,323) para o MMQ, bootstrap1000 e bootstrap10000, respectivamente. Nas condições observadas, as estimativas dos parâmetros do modelo de regressão da EM do milho para suínos em função de proteína bruta e energia digestível são mais precisas quando utilizado o MMQ

Immunohistochemical study of the cellular immune response in human Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia Estudo imuno-histoquímico da resposta imune celular na pneumonia humana por Pneumocystis carinii

OBJECTIVES: It has been experimentally demonstrated that host defense against Pneumocystis carinii depends on complex interactions within host immune response, mainly CD4 lymphocytes and alveolar macrophages. Since this is an important agent related to immunodeficiency, our purpose was to characterize the inflammatory immune response in lung from necropsy of AIDS patients. PROCEDURES: Twenty-five necropsies with diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were selected for immunohistochemical investigation of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, macrophages (CD68+), NK cells (CD57+) and cells expressing TNF-alpha. The immunostained cells were quantified and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: All specimens presented a great number of cysts of Pneumocystis carinii in alveoli, as well as septal enlargement with inflammatory infiltrate constituted predominantly by lymphocytes and macrophages. CD4+ T cells were decreased in number, and CD8+ T cells, NK cells and macrophages predominated. Cells expressing TNF-alpha were frequently observed in septal inflammatory infiltrate. CONCLUSIONS: The immunosupression related to AIDS induces a reduction in the number of CD4+ T cells and influences high-level parasitism. The cell components that characterize the inflammatory infiltrate contribute to the severe lung injury of those patients.<br>OBJETIVO: Trabalhos experimentais demonstram que as defesas do hospedeiro frente ao Pneumocystis carinii incluem interações complexas entre as células imunes, principalmente linfócitos TCD4+ e macrófagos alveolares. Sendo esse um agente importante associado às imunodeficiências, nosso objetivo foi caracterizar a resposta inflamatória em pulmão de necrópsias de pacientes com AIDS. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas 25 necrópsias com diagnóstico de pneumonia por Pneumocystis carinii para pesquisa imuno-histoquímica de linfócitos TCD4+, TCD8+, macrófagos CD68+, células NK CD57+ e células com expressão de TNF-alfa. As células imunomarcadas foram quantificadas e analisadas estatisticamente. RESULTADOS: Todos os espécimes evidenciaram elevado parasitismo na luz dos alvéolos. Observou-se espessamento septal com infiltrado inflamatório constituído predominantemente por linfócitos e macrófagos. Houve diminuição no número de linfócitos TCD4+ e aumento de linfócitos TCD8+, macrófagos e células NK. No septo alveolar freqüentemente observaram-se células expressando TNF-alfa. CONCLUSÕES: A imunossupressão relacionada à AIDS induz a diminuição de linfócitos TCD4+ e favorece a permanência de elevado parasitismo. Os componentes celulares que caracterizam o infiltrado inflamatório contribuem para os danos irreversíveis no pulmão desses pacientes

Recombinant vaccines of a CD4+ T-cell epitope promote efficient control of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis burden by restraining primary organ infection.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an infectious disease endemic to South America, caused by the thermally dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides. Currently, there is no effective human vaccine that can be used in prophylactic or therapeutic regimes. We tested the hypothesis that the immunogenicity of the immunodominant CD4+ T-cell epitope (P10) of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp43 antigen might be significantly enhanced by using a hepatitis B virus-derived particle (VLP) as an antigen carrier. This chimera was administered to mice as a (His)6-purified protein (rPbT) or a replication-deficient human type 5 adenoviral vector (rAdPbT) in an immunoprophylaxis assay. The highly virulent Pb18 yeast strain was used to challenge our vaccine candidates. Fungal challenge evoked robust P10-specific memory CD4+ T cells secreting protective Th-1 cytokines in most groups of immunized mice. Furthermore, the highest level of fungal burden control was achieved when rAdPbT was inoculated in a homologous prime-boost regimen, with 10-fold less CFU recovering than in non-vaccinated mice. Systemic Pb18 spreading was only prevented when rAdPbT was previously inoculated. In summary, we present here VLP/P10 formulations as vaccine candidates against PCM, some of which have demonstrated for the first time their ability to prevent progression of this pernicious fungal disease, which represents a significant social burden in developing countries

Recombinant vaccines of a CD4+ T-cell epitope promote efficient control of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis burden by restraining primary organ infection

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an infectious disease endemic to South America, caused by the thermally dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides. Currently, there is no effective human vaccine that can be used in prophylactic or therapeutic regimes. We tested the hypothesis that the immunogenicity of the immunodominant CD4+T-cell epitope (P10) of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp43 antigen might be significantly enhanced by using a hepatitis B virus-derived particle (VLP) as an antigen carrier. This chimera was administered to mice as a (His)6-purified protein (rPbT) or a replication-deficient human type 5 adenoviral vector (rAdPbT) in an immunoprophylaxis assay. The highly virulent Pb18 yeast strain was used to challenge our vaccine candidates. Fungal challenge evoked robust P10-specific memory CD4+T cells secreting protective Th-1 cytokines in most groups of immunized mice. Furthermore, the highest level of fungal burden control was achieved when rAdPbT was inoculated in a homologous prime-boost regimen, with 10-fold less CFU recovering than in non-vaccinated mice. Systemic Pb18 spreading was only prevented when rAdPbT was previously inoculated. In summary, we present here VLP/P10 formulations as vaccine candidates against PCM, some of which have demonstrated for the first time their ability to prevent progression of this pernicious fungal disease, which represents a significant social burden in developing countries. © 2017 Holanda et al

Recombinant vaccines of a CD4+ T-cell epitope promote efficient control of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis burden by restraining primary organ infection

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an infectious disease endemic to South America, caused by the thermally dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides. Currently, there is no effective human vaccine that can be used in prophylactic or therapeutic regimes. We tested the hypothesis that the immunogenicity of the immunodominant CD4+T-cell epitope (P10) of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp43 antigen might be significantly enhanced by using a hepatitis B virus-derived particle (VLP) as an antigen carrier. This chimera was administered to mice as a (His)6-purified protein (rPbT) or a replication-deficient human type 5 adenoviral vector (rAdPbT) in an immunoprophylaxis assay. The highly virulent Pb18 yeast strain was used to challenge our vaccine candidates. Fungal challenge evoked robust P10-specific memory CD4+T cells secreting protective Th-1 cytokines in most groups of immunized mice. Furthermore, the highest level of fungal burden control was achieved when rAdPbT was inoculated in a homologous prime-boost regimen, with 10-fold less CFU recovering than in non-vaccinated mice. Systemic Pb18 spreading was only prevented when rAdPbT was previously inoculated. In summary, we present here VLP/P10 formulations as vaccine candidates against PCM, some of which have demonstrated for the first time their ability to prevent progression of this pernicious fungal disease, which represents a significant social burden in developing countries. © 2017 Holanda et al

Cytokine quantification in lungs at the 105^th day.

<p>IL12p70 (A), IFN-γ (B), TNF-α (C), IL-10 (D) and IL-4 (E) were quantified from 100 mg of lung homogenate. Mock-immunized (MI), PBS/PBS, rCMV/rCMV, P10/P10, rAdPbT/rAdPbT, rAdPbT/rPbT, rPbT/rAdPbT and rPbT/rPbT were groups intratracheally inoculated with virulent Pb18 yeast cells, while non-infected mice (NI) were intratracheally inoculated with sterile PBS. Data represent the mean of two independent experiments (three animals per experiment). ***(<i>p</i><0,001), **(<i>p</i><0,01) and *(<i>p</i><0,05) were considered to be significant.</p

Fungal burden measurement.

<p>Plots representing the numbers of colony-forming units detected per gram of tissue at the 75^th and the 105^th days, as indicated, in different organs. (A and B) lungs; (C) livers; (D) spleens. All groups were intratracheally inoculated with virulent Pb18 yeast. Data represent the mean of two independent experiments (six animals per experiment). ***(<i>p</i><0,001), **(<i>p</i><0,01), *(<i>p</i><0,05) and # (<i>p</i><0,0001) were considered to be significant.</p

Cytokine quantification in lungs at the 75^th day.

<p>IL12p70 (A), IFN-γ (B), TNF-α (C), IL-10 (D) and IL-4 (E) were quantified in 100 mg of lung homogenates from the different groups of mice. Mock-immunized (MI), PBS/PBS, rCMV/rCMV, P10/P10, rAdPbT/rAdPbT, rAdPbT/rPbT, rPbT/rAdPbT and rPbT/rPbT mice were all intratracheally inoculated with virulent Pb18 yeast cells, while non-infected mice (NI) were intratracheally inoculated with sterile PBS. Data represent the mean of two independent experiments (three animals per experiment). ***(<i>p</i><0,001), **(<i>p</i><0,01) and *(<i>p</i><0,05) were considered to be significant.</p

Histopathology.

<p>Lungs and livers were stained with Hematoxilin-Eosin at day 105 (2-20X magnification). Organs of normal uninfected mice intratracheally inoculated with sterile PBS (NI) and of those challenged with virulent Pb18 yeast after immunization (MI, PBS/PBS, rCMV/rCMV, P10/P10, rAdPbT/rAdPbT, rAdPbT/rPbT, rPbT/rAdPbT and rPbT/rPbT) were evaluated. Arrows indicate the presence of granulomas containing yeast cells.</p