Portable near infrared spectroscopy applied to fuel quality control.

Fuel quality control has gained interest in many countries owing to the potential damage of low-quality fuel to engines, the environment, and economy. Thus, the application of analytical techniques to verify quality control of fuels has become crucial. The portable micro-spectrometer in the near infrared region (microNIR) has gained credibility as a successful analytical technique in several quality control sectors. The possibility of real-time analysis using a nondestructive and reliable method is the main advantage of this methodology. In this work, chemometric models (PLS) were developed using microNIR data to determine the amount of biodiesel in diesel (LODBio = 0.5wt%; LOQBio = 1.8wt%; and RMSEPBio = 1.8wt%); sulfur in diesel (LODS = 2.4mgL-1; LOQS = 8.0mgL-1; and RMSEPS = 13.2mgL-1); gasoline, ethanol, and methanol in C-type gasoline (LODgas = 0.55wt%; LOQgas = 1.84wt%; and RMSEPgas = 0.81wt%; LODeth = 0.75wt%; LOQeth = 2.5wt%; and RMSEPeth = 3.81wt%; and LODmet = 0.85wt%; LOQmet = 2.84wt%; and RMSEPmet = 1.80wt%); and water, methanol, and ethanol in ethanol-hydrated fuel (EHF) (LODH2O = 0.04wt%; LOQH2O = 1.29wt%; and RMSEPH2O = 1.05wt%; LODmet = 0.52wt%; LOQmet = 1.73wt%; and RMSEPmet = 2.78wt%; and LODeth = 1.22wt%; LOQeth = 4.07wt%; and RMSEPeth = 4.41wt%). A total of 181 blends were prepared, with biodiesel and sulfur contents ranging from 0 to 100wt% and 10-500mgL-1, respectively. For gasoline blends, the gasoline, ethanol, and methanol contents ranged from 0.0 to 75.0wt%, 25.0-75.0wt%, and 0.0-50.0wt%, respectively. In the EHF control, the ethanol, water, and methanol contents ranged from 0.0 to 100.0wt%, 0.0-50.0wt%, and 0.0-50.0wt%, respectively. The proposed method presented high precision and accuracy in all cases, and the results showed that the microNIR technique had excellent performance in fuel quality control.

Identification of enteroparasites in recreation areas of elementary schools in Northern Espírito Santo, Brazil / Identificación de enteroparásitos en áreas de recreación de escuelas primarias en el norte de Espirito Santo, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective Since sand is an important child means of contagion by enteroparasites, this study aimed to conduct a parasitological evaluation in recreation areas of elementary schools and early childhood education centers, in São Mateus-ES. Material and Methods Sand samples were collected in seven municipal elementary schools and in a municipal kindergarten and nursery center. For the recovery of helminth eggs and protozoan cysts, flotation and spontaneous sedimentation techniques were used. Results It was found that 77 % of the analyzed institutions were positive for helminth eggs and larvae. Among the eggs and larvae identified, the main were Ascaris lumbricoides and Toxocara canis. Pearson's chi-square test identified the best results when using the spontaneous sedimentation method. Conclusions Considering that individuals, especially children living in poor sanitation conditions, are more prone to enteroparasites, studies point to the need of the application of preventive and health education measures for the population enrolled in municipal schools in São Mateus.(AU)

RESUMEN Objetivo Dado que la arena es un medio importante de contagio infantil por enteroparásitos, este estudio tuvo como objetivo realizar una evaluación parasitológica en áreas recreativas de escuelas primarias y centros de educación infantil, en São Mateus-ES. Materiales y Métodos Se tomaron muestras de arena en siete escuelas primarias municipales, en un jardín de infantes y en una guardería municipal. Para la recuperación de huevos de helmintos y quistes de protozoos, se usaron las técnicas de flotación y de sedimentación espontánea. Resultados Se encontró que el 77 % de las instituciones analizadas dieron positivo para huevos y larvas de helmintos. Entre los huevos y larvas identificados los principales fueron Ascaris lumbricoides y Toxocara canis. La prueba de ji-cuadrado de Pearson identifica los mejores resultados cuando se usa el método de sedimentación espontánea. Conclusión Teniendo en cuenta que las personas, especialmente los niños que viven en malas condiciones de saneamiento, son más propensas a enteropatías, los estudios apuntan a la necesidad de la aplicación de medidas preventivas y de educación sanitaria para la población inscrita en las escuelas municipales de São Mateus.(AU)

Identification of enteroparasites in recreation areas of elementary schools in Northern Espírito Santo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Since sand is an important child means of contagion by enteroparasites, this study aimed to conduct a parasitological evaluation in recreation areas of elementary schools and early childhood education centers, in São Mateus-ES. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sand samples were collected in seven municipal elementary schools and in a municipal kindergarten and nursery center. For the recovery of helminth eggs and protozoan cysts, flotation and spontaneous sedimentation techniques were used. RESULTS: It was found that 77 % of the analyzed institutions were positive for helminth eggs and larvae. Among the eggs and larvae identified, the main were Ascaris lumbricoides and Toxocara canis. Pearson's chi-square test identified the best results when using the spontaneous sedimentation method. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that individuals, especially children living in poor sanitation conditions, are more prone to enteroparasites, studies point to the need of the application of preventive and health education measures for the population enrolled in municipal schools in São Mateus.

Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus in the cities of the northern region of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 2 billion people worldwide have already had contact with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 373 million have become chronic carriers. Hepatitis B is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, leading to a large number of deaths annually. Both viral factors and the host immune response have been implicated in the pathogenesis and clinical result of HBV infection. Many Brazilian cities, including the cities of the northern region of the state of Espírito Santo are located in regions with little health infrastructure. Our study performed an epidemiological analysis of cases of Hepatitis B in São Mateus, using methodology of Geographic Information System (GIS), aiming to raise the number of disease cases, establishing preventive measures to control the disease, improving the quality of life of people affected by this pathology. The city of São Mateus had the largest number of reported cases of hepatitis B northern region of Espírito Santo. The age group with the highest number of hepatitis B notifications was 20-49 years, mostly females. The major forms of contact with HBV in these cities were dental treatment, use of injectable medications, surgical procedures and multiple sexual partners.