Produção de águas quentes sanitárias (AQS) usando micro aerogeradores

Mestrado em Sistemas Energéticos SustentáveisO consumo energético global está em constante crescimento, e com este aumento as tecnologias renováveis têm sido desenvolvidas a um ritmo sem precedentes para mitigar os efeitos negativos que este consumo tem no ambiente. Nesta dissertação é investigada a viabilidade de usar micro aerogeradores com o propósito de produzir Águas Quentes Sanitárias (AQS). O objetivo é eventualmente substituir os coletores solares térmicos em zonas urbanas onde o recurso solar é menos favorável, ou complementá-los de modo a aumentar a cobertura das necessidades por fontes renováveis. Para obter estes resultados, foram avaliados dados climáticos de várias regiões de Portugal, e devido ao seu perfil de vento e sol, Aveiro, Nazaré e Angra do Heroísmo foram as escolhidas para neste estudo representar 3 perfis de referência no que respeita a potencial renovável (perfil A, B e C, respetivamente). Foi simulada a energia gerada por micro aerogeradores e coletores solares durante o período de um ano, em dois programas de modelação diferentes. Conclui-se que a implementação de um sistema micro eólico numa região com um perfil de vento como o perfil A não é recomendada, sendo que a potência gerada não seria considerada satisfatória. Para os perfis B e C, estes mostram resultados mais otimistas correspondendo a perfis de vento suficientemente interessantes para justificar a implementação de tecnologia eólica no seu estado de desenvolvimento presente (no caso do perfil C) e eventualmente no futuro (no caso do perfil B). Os melhores resultados mostram uma fração renovável de 40-70%, em perfis de vento tipo C. Foram calculados os custos de operação e manutenção, incluindo compras à rede elétrica, e os custos da energia eólica e solar. Em locais com perfis de vento comparáveis a Aveiro ou a Nazaré (perfis tipo A e B), a energia solar térmica é atualmente a opção economicamente mais viável. No estado atual de desenvolvimento da tecnologia, as soluções baseadas em micro turbinas eólicas devem apenas ser consideradas para locais com perfis de vento idênticos ou superiores aos encontrados em Angra do Heroísmo, tendo um período de retorno do investimento de 5 a 7 anos. A combinação de eólica e solar foi também estudada. Concluiu-se que para um sistema híbrido não se comprova uma combinação favorável entre os recursos eólicos e solares ao longo do dia. No entanto, o perfil anual dos recursos é complementar para situações onde se encontra um perfil de vento tipo C e um perfil solar tipo B. Resumindo, implementação desta tecnologia para o perfil C é possível, mas não o é para o perfil A. No caso do perfil B, com alguns melhoramentos das turbinas eólicas, como a diminuição da velocidade de cut-in para valores entre 1 e 2 m s-1 e a diminuição do custo em 30-40%, localidades com este perfil podem ser viáveis no futuro.Power consumption is increasing at a global scale and, with it, renewable technologies have been developed at an unprecedented rate to attempt to mitigate the negative effects this has on the environment. In this dissertation the effectiveness of a small wind turbine for the purpose of household water heating is investigated. The aim is to eventually complement or replace the market leading solar collectors in urban areas where solar resources are less than favorable. To achieve these results, climate data for various regions in Portugal were reviewed and, based on their wind and solar resource behavior, Aveiro, Nazaré and Angra do Heroísmo (profiles A, B and C, respectively) were chosen for this study as representative locations. Daily power output of wind turbines and solar collectors in the three reference conditions was simulated for an entire year using two different modeling approaches (software). Profile A is not recommended for wind applications as the wind power is too low to be considered satisfactory. The other profiles, B and C, show optimistic results and are good locations for the implementation of small wind turbine future technology and currently commercialized systems, respectively. The results show that wind power can achieve a renewable fraction of 40-70% in wind profiles similar to that found in profile C. Operational and maintenance costs, including grid purchases and levelized costs of energy were calculated for wind and solar power. In profiles A and B, solar power proves to be the most financially viable option. Considering currently available technology and market costs, wind applications should be considered only in profile C, with a payback period of 5 to 7 years. Type B wind profiles may become financially attractive depending on the improvement of wind turbines performance. A combination of wind and solar power was also analyzed. The available wind and solar radiation prove not to be compatible throughout the hours of the day. However, the yearly profile of these resources in terms of seasonal behavior can make a hybrid system a viable option when combining the wind profile C and solar profile B. In summary, a cost-effective deployment is possible in profile C and not possible in profile A. As for profile B, the cost of the turbine would have to be lower than what is available under current technology. Nonetheless, with some improvements to the wind turbines, such as cut-in speeds of 1 to 2 m s-1 and a decrease in cost of 30-40% locations with this profile can be considered as viable options in the future

A Recursive Partitioning Analysis Demonstrating Risk Subsets for 8-Year Biochemical Relapse After Margin-Positive Radical Prostatectomy Without Adjuvant Hormone or Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE: The cohort of patients with locally advanced prostate cancer (PC) and positive surgical margin(s) at radical prostatectomy (RP) who would benefit from salvage or adjuvant treatment is unclear. This study examines the risk of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) relapse in a large population of men with PC after margin-positive RP. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using a multi-institutional database, patients with clinically localized PC who underwent RP between 2002 and 2010 with recorded follow-up PSA were retrospectively selected. Patients were excluded for pathologic seminal vesicle or lymph node involvement, metastatic disease, pre-RP PSA ≥ 30, or adjuvant (nonsalvage) radiation therapy or hormone therapy. The primary endpoint was biochemical relapse free survival (bRFS), where PSA failure was defined as PSA > 0.10 ng/mL and rising, or at salvage intervention. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed for bRFS estimates; recursive partitioning analysis using cumulative or single maximal margin extent (ME) and Gleason grade (GG) at RP was applied to identify variables associated with bRFS. RESULTS: At median follow-up of 105 months, 210 patients with positive margins at RP were eligible for analysis, and 89 had experienced PSA relapse. Median age was 61 years (range, 43-76), and median pre-RP PSA 5.8 ng/mL (1.6-26.0). Recursive partitioning analysis yielded 5 discrete risk groups, with the lowest risk group (GG1, ≤ 2 mm ME) demonstrating a bRFS of 92% at 8 years compared with the highest risk group (GG3-5, ≥ 3 mm ME) of 11%. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study suggests that it may be possible to risk-stratify patients undergoing margin-positive RP using commonly acquired clinical and pathologic variables. Patients with low-grade tumors and minimally involved margins have a very low recurrence risk and may be able to forego postprostatectomy radiation. Meanwhile, those with higher grade and greater involvement could benefit from adjuvant or early salvage radiation therapy

Intracellular immune sensing promotes inflammation via gasdermin D–driven release of a lectin alarmin

Inflammatory caspase sensing of cytosolic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers pyroptosis and the concurrent release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Collectively, DAMPs are key determinants that shape the aftermath of inflammatory cell death. However, the identity and function of the individual DAMPs released are poorly defined. Our proteomics study revealed that cytosolic LPS sensing triggered the release of galectin-1, a β-galactoside-binding lectin. Galectin-1 release is a common feature of inflammatory cell death, including necroptosis. In vivo studies using galectin-1-deficient mice, recombinant galectin-1 and galectin-1-neutralizing antibody showed that galectin-1 promotes inflammation and plays a detrimental role in LPS-induced lethality. Mechanistically, galectin-1 inhibition of CD45 (Ptprc) underlies its unfavorable role in endotoxin shock. Finally, we found increased galectin-1 in sera from human patients with sepsis. Overall, we uncovered galectin-1 as a bona fide DAMP released as a consequence of cytosolic LPS sensing, identifying a new outcome of inflammatory cell death.Fil: Russo, Ashley J.. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Vasudevan, Swathy O.. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Mendez Huergo, Santiago Patricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Kumari, Puja. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Menoret, Antoine. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Duduskar, Shivalee. Jena University Hospital; AlemaniaFil: Wang, Chengliang. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Pérez Sáez, Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Fettis, Margaret M.. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Li, Chuan. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Liu, Renjie. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Wanchoo, Arun. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Chandiran, Karthik. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Ruan, Jianbin. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Vanaja, Sivapriya Kailasan. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Bauer, Michael. Jena University Hospital; AlemaniaFil: Sponholz, Christoph. Jena University Hospital; AlemaniaFil: Hudalla, Gregory A.. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Vella, Anthony T.. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Zhou, Beiyan. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Deshmukh, Sachin D.. Jena University Hospital; AlemaniaFil: Rabinovich, Gabriel Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Rathinam, Vijay A.. UConn Health School of Medicine; Estados Unido

LSST: from Science Drivers to Reference Design and Anticipated Data Products

(Abridged) We describe here the most ambitious survey currently planned in the optical, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). A vast array of science will be enabled by a single wide-deep-fast sky survey, and LSST will have unique survey capability in the faint time domain. The LSST design is driven by four main science themes: probing dark energy and dark matter, taking an inventory of the Solar System, exploring the transient optical sky, and mapping the Milky Way. LSST will be a wide-field ground-based system sited at Cerro Pach\'{o}n in northern Chile. The telescope will have an 8.4 m (6.5 m effective) primary mirror, a 9.6 deg$^2$ field of view, and a 3.2 Gigapixel camera. The standard observing sequence will consist of pairs of 15-second exposures in a given field, with two such visits in each pointing in a given night. With these repeats, the LSST system is capable of imaging about 10,000 square degrees of sky in a single filter in three nights. The typical 5$\sigma$ point-source depth in a single visit in $r$ will be $\sim 24.5$ (AB). The project is in the construction phase and will begin regular survey operations by 2022. The survey area will be contained within 30,000 deg$^2$ with $\delta<+34.5^\circ$, and will be imaged multiple times in six bands, $ugrizy$, covering the wavelength range 320--1050 nm. About 90\% of the observing time will be devoted to a deep-wide-fast survey mode which will uniformly observe a 18,000 deg$^2$ region about 800 times (summed over all six bands) during the anticipated 10 years of operations, and yield a coadded map to $r\sim27.5$. The remaining 10\% of the observing time will be allocated to projects such as a Very Deep and Fast time domain survey. The goal is to make LSST data products, including a relational database of about 32 trillion observations of 40 billion objects, available to the public and scientists around the world.Comment: 57 pages, 32 color figures, version with high-resolution figures available from https://www.lsst.org/overvie

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London