Bio4gas : evaluation and analysis of wastewater treatment facilities in the scope of biogas production maximization and energy production optimization

The present work presents some of the results of five reports developed in the scope of optimization feasibility studies carried out at 6 small- and medium-sized wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Portugal. These 6 WWTP are operated by five companies that belong to the Águas de Portugal holding. The objective of the studies was twofold: to assess to which extent the production of biogas could be increased by means of operational modifications and/or by the implementation of co-digestion regimes; and also to simulate different scenarios for feed-in tariff of electricity taking in account energy prices calculated based upon the DL n.º 225/2007 of 11th May. In this way, several codigestion scenarios were defined based upon standard available organic residues. The results obtained showed that the implementation of co-digestion regimes represent a significative potential to increase the production of biogas, in some cases, over 600%. Even though, it was concluded that in some cases the costs of introducing new regimes of energy management were not supported by the increase of energy production, so a scale factor is associated to the revenues. This study contributed to the establishment of specific needs in terms of information management (digester operation, energy production/consumption, strategy for optimisation)

Initial clinical evidence on biperiden as antiepileptogenic after traumatic brain injury—a randomized clinical trial

There is currently no efficacious intervention for preventing post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Preclinical studies support the potential use of anticholinergics for this condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of biperiden as an intervention for preventing PTE. A randomized, double-blinded clinical trial was conducted at HC/FMUSP between 2018–2022. Adults with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) were randomly assigned to receive biperiden or placebo, for 10 days. The primary outcome was the incidence of PTE while the secondary outcomes included the frequency of seizures, the frequency of any adverse events and mortality after 24 months. The study was powered at a planned enrolment of 132 patients. The trial began in January 2018 and was halted by researchers on March 2020 (and terminated in December 2022) in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 123 participants were randomized and 112 contributed with data for modified mITT analysis, being that 61 (49.5%) participants completed the 24-month follow-up consult. Data analysis indicated lack of evidence of biperiden for either, the incidence of post-traumatic epilepsy (2.6, 95%CI, 0.65–10.57; p = 0.170) or the mortality rate (1.57, 95%CI, 0.73–3.38; p = 0.248). The frequency of late post-traumatic seizures was higher for biperiden group (2.03, 95%CI = 0.912–3.1597; p <0.001). The present study suggests that there was insufficient evidence regarding the effect of biperiden in preventing PTE after TBI, which underpins the need for larger studies.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT01048138

Inspeção e Recuperação de Estrutura de Concreto em Edificação Escolar: Estudo de Caso / Inspection and Recovery of Concrete Structure in School Building: Case Study

Com o objetivo de mitigar manifestações patológicas encontradas em estruturas de concreto armado, principalmente aquelas relacionadas a corrosão da armadura, o presente trabalho ressalta a importância de propagar a cultura de periodicamente inspecionar e realizar as devidas manutenções nas edificações desse perfil. Para isso retoma conceitos, como o dos principais agentes causadores desses problemas, alertando para o perigo que eles podem oferecer, e demonstra o processo de reparo e recuperação da estrutura já danificadas. Além de apresentar um estudo avaliativo em dois componentes estruturais de uma edificação situada na Escola Politécnica de Pernambuco, Recife-PE. Tal análise foi composta por ensaios de profundidade de carbonatação, ensaio de presença de cloretos por aspersão de nitrato de prata e ensaio de dureza superficial com esclerômetro de reflexão. Tomando como base os resultados obtidos, é apresentada a devida recuperação utilizada nos pilares, e recomenda-se que, devido ao estágio alcançado pelas estruturas estudadas, os demais componentes estruturais sejam submetidos a procedimentos avaliativos, bem como a manutenções periódicas

Viabilidade da substituição parcial do resíduo de construção civil pelo agregado miúdo nas propriedades físicas e mecânicas do concreto / Feasibility of partial replacement of construction waste by the small aggregate in the physical and mechanical properties of concrete

O crescimento das construções está cada vez mais frequente e, em função disto, há um aumento na geração dos resíduos decorrentes da falta de gestão para devido destino e, também, a reutilização desses dejetos. Para garantir os efeitos de reutilização, o objetivo desta pesquisa é propor a substituição dos agregados naturais pelos resíduos da construção civil gerado em demolições e/ou construções, com a finalidade de analisar métodos sustentáveis, a fim de avaliar sua resistência a compressão axial em laboratório. Foram moldados 10 CP’s de referência, 10 CP’s com 50% de substituição e 10 CP’s com 100% de substituição do agregado miúdo pelo RCC com dimensões de (10 cm x 20 cm). De acordo com os resultados obtidos, foi constatado um aumento na resistência média dos corpos de provas de concreto com 50% de substituição com 32,48 MPa, sendo 20,86% e 4,38% maior do que a resistência a compressão de 100% e 0% (referência) respectivamente. Em suma, observa-se que os resultados foram satisfatórios, mas é necessárias realizações de outros ensaios para que possa garantir a utilização técnica do RCC nas obras, minimizando os impactos ambientais e desenvolvendo métodos que direcione o uso correto desses materiais.  

Fyn Mediates Leptin Actions in the Thymus of Rodents

BACKGROUND:Several effects of leptin in the immune system rely on its capacity to modulate cytokine expression and apoptosis in the thymus. Surprisingly, some of these effects are dependent on signal transduction through the IRS1/PI3-kinase, but not on the activation of JAK2. Since all the well known effects of leptin in different cell types and tissues seem to be dependent on JAK2 activation, we hypothesized that, at least for the control of thymic function, another, unknown kinase could mediate the transduction of the leptin signal from the ObR towards the IRS1/PI3-kinase signaling cascade. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Here, by employing immunoblot, real-time PCR and flow citometry we show that the tyrosine kinase, Fyn, is constitutively associated with the ObR in thymic cells. Following a leptin stimulus, Fyn undergoes an activating tyrosine phosphorylation and a transient association with IRS1. All these effects are independent of JAK2 activation and, upon Fyn inhibition, the signal transduction towards IRS1/PI3-kinase is abolished. In addition, the inhibition of Fyn significantly modifies the effects of leptin on thymic cytokine expression. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE:Therefore, in the thymus, Fyn acts as a tyrosine kinase that transduces the leptin signal independently of JAK2 activation, and mediates some of the immunomodulatory effects of leptin in this tissue

Institutional shelter to protect adolescent victims of domestic violence: theory or practice?

OBJECTIVE: To understand and analyze, from the perspective of adolescent victims of domestic violence who were cared for in an institution in Campinas-SP, the protective factors to which they are submitted and / or have access. METHOD: This was qualitative research, with data collection occurring through focus groups with 17 adolescents, and semistructured interviews with seven of them; the data analysis was based on content analysis, using a thematic modality. RESULTS: Two themes emerged, entitled Four Walls and Trust. We discuss the context of institutional care, that despite the efforts made contemporaneously, still maintains an authoritarian environment; the importance of the bond and trust established with some employees, acting as protective factors for the adolescents and the protective aspect of religiosity. CONCLUSIONS: It is understood that these considerations should be valued and reinforced through the healthcare services provided to children and adolescents, as they contribute to the promotion of the physical and mental health of this population

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Human Fungal Pathogens Causing Paracoccidioidomycosis

Paracoccidioides is a fungal pathogen and the cause of paracoccidioidomycosis, a health-threatening human systemic mycosis endemic to Latin America. Infection by Paracoccidioides, a dimorphic fungus in the order Onygenales, is coupled with a thermally regulated transition from a soil-dwelling filamentous form to a yeast-like pathogenic form. To better understand the genetic basis of growth and pathogenicity in Paracoccidioides, we sequenced the genomes of two strains of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb03 and Pb18) and one strain of Paracoccidioides lutzii (Pb01). These genomes range in size from 29.1 Mb to 32.9 Mb and encode 7,610 to 8,130 genes. To enable genetic studies, we mapped 94% of the P. brasiliensis Pb18 assembly onto five chromosomes. We characterized gene family content across Onygenales and related fungi, and within Paracoccidioides we found expansions of the fungal-specific kinase family FunK1. Additionally, the Onygenales have lost many genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and fewer genes involved in protein metabolism, resulting in a higher ratio of proteases to carbohydrate active enzymes in the Onygenales than their relatives. To determine if gene content correlated with growth on different substrates, we screened the non-pathogenic onygenale Uncinocarpus reesii, which has orthologs for 91% of Paracoccidioides metabolic genes, for growth on 190 carbon sources. U. reesii showed growth on a limited range of carbohydrates, primarily basic plant sugars and cell wall components; this suggests that Onygenales, including dimorphic fungi, can degrade cellulosic plant material in the soil. In addition, U. reesii grew on gelatin and a wide range of dipeptides and amino acids, indicating a preference for proteinaceous growth substrates over carbohydrates, which may enable these fungi to also degrade animal biomass. These capabilities for degrading plant and animal substrates suggest a duality in lifestyle that could enable pathogenic species of Onygenales to transfer from soil to animal hosts.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.)National Institutes of Health. Department of Health and Human Services (contract HHSN266200400001C)National Institutes of Health. Department of Health and Human Services(contract HHSN2722009000018C)Brazil. National Council for Scientific and Technological Developmen