High-strength wastewater treatment in a pure oxygen thermophilic process: 11-year operation and monitoring of different plant configurations.

This research was carried out on a full-scale pure oxygen thermophilic plant, operated and monitored throughout a period of 11 years. The plant treats 60,000 t y⁻¹ (year 2013) of high-strength industrial wastewaters deriving mainly from pharmaceuticals and detergents production and landfill leachate. Three different plant configurations were consecutively adopted: (1) biological reactor + final clarifier and sludge recirculation (2002-2005); (2) biological reactor + ultrafiltration: membrane biological reactor (MBR) (2006); and (3) MBR + nanofiltration (since 2007). Progressive plant upgrading yielded a performance improvement chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was enhanced by 17% and 12% after the first and second plant modification, respectively. Moreover, COD abatement efficiency exhibited a greater stability, notwithstanding high variability of the influent load. In addition, the following relevant outcomes appeared from the plant monitoring (present configuration): up to 96% removal of nitrate and nitrite, due to denitrification; low-specific biomass production (0.092 kgVSS kgCODremoved⁻¹), and biological treatability of residual COD under mesophilic conditions (BOD5/COD ratio = 0.25-0.50), thus showing the complementarity of the two biological processes.

[Citizen training in nursing: myth or potential utopia?]. / Formação cidadã em enfermagem: mito ou possibilidade utópica?

The objective of this study is to verify to what extent the concepts of university, citizenship, social compromise and health system influence the nursing practice. These topics were analysed through questionnaires answered by senior nursing students. The pedagogical project of the this course was used as reference to analyse students' speech. The study showed that these prospective professionals didn't have a satisfying advance concerning their view on education, health and conception of the world. This result suggested that this pedagogical proposal has to be constantly reexamined in order to broaden students' view on the aspects mentioned. It was noticed that students' discourses were heterogeneous, and contrasted with the apparent homogeneity in the understanding of specific contents. The research highlights the dialectical movement that affects the teaching practice, which oscillates between a critical formation and Descartes' logic. It was concluded that a continuous evaluation of the educational project is a vital strategy to consolidate a formation compromised with citizenship.

[Subsidies in the critical-reflexive professional education in the field of health care: a challenge for the changing century]. / Subsídios para uma formação profissional crítico-reflexiva na área da saúde: o desafio da virada do século.

Change in the logic of health professional formation is a demanding challenge for the new world order. The present study searches the problematical bases of reflexive-critical teaching in the area and its contribution for placing the professional in the work market. This insertion must be regulated by the collective citizenship ethics and must also look forward to a confrontation, in an organized way, with the interests of the neoliberal project.

[School knowledge and power to serve the nurse's citizenship. Lies that appear to be true]. / O saber e o poder da escola a serviço da cidadania do enfermeiro: mentiras que parecem verdades....

This article discusses the power relations which permeate the Nursing Teaching process. It unveils some contradictions between the discourse and the practice of teachers in this area and its negative impact in the insertion of egresses into the work market.