Calcium and magnesium ion removal from water feeding a steam generator by chemical precipitation and flotation with micro and nanobubbles.

This work summarises the results of calcium and magnesium ion removal from raw water feeding an industrial steam generation system. The cations were precipitated with sodium phosphate before separation of the solids by dissolved air flotation, with micro and nanobubbles. Studies were done at bench scale and validated at pilot scale (raw water feed = 1 m3 h-1; air-to-solids ratio = 0.046 mg of air mg-1 of solids; residence time = 11 min). Results indicated that chemical precipitation followed by flotation significantly improved the quality of the boiler water. Best results were obtained after precipitating the cations with 50 mg L-1 of sodium phosphate at pH 11.5 and flotation with a saturation pressure (P sat) of 4 bar, a recycling ratio of 30% and a sodium oleate concentration of 20 mg L-1 as an hydrophobizing reagent. The latter assisted the adhesion of the nanobubbles (100-500 nm) generated at 4 bar with a numeric concentration of about 2.5 × 108 NBs mL-1. At pilot scale, the total hardness in the solution decreased by 80%; the residual calcium and phosphate ion concentrations were 12 and 2 mg L-1 respectively. This cell was designed including lamellae and perforate plate to improve the superficial loading capacity (up to 9 m h-1). The results were explained by chemical and interfacial phenomena and it is believed that this technique has great potential in water softening processes.

[Asbestos-related pleuropulmonary diseases: pictorial essay]. / Alterações pleurais e parenquimatosas relacionadas com a exposição ao asbestos: ensaio pictórico.

Pleural and pulmonary asbestos-related diseases range from benign conditions, like pleural effusion and pleural plaques, to some neoplasias, such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Pleural effusion is the earliest finding after asbestos exposure, but the imaging findings are not specific. Diffuse pleural thickening involves the visceral pleura and pleural plaques are considered to be hallmarks of exposure. Asbestosis is the pulmonary fibrosis due to asbestos. Rounded atelectasis is a peripheral lung collapse in these individuals, generally related to pleural disease. Some neoplasias, like lung carcinoma and pleural mesothelioma, are more prevalent in asbestos-exposed subjects. The aim of this essay is to illustrate the main imaging findings of asbestos-related diseases.

[Asbestos-related pleural plaques: a literature review]. / Placas pleurais relacionadas ao asbesto: revisão da literatura.

Pleural plaques (PP) are considered to be hallmarks of asbestos exposure. They constitute focal thickenings of the pleura and are commonly seen in patients without lung disease. They can involve parietal, diaphragmatic and mediastinal pleura. Chest x-ray is frequently used for PP diagnosis, but computed tomography, especially when used the high-resolution technique, is the imaging exam with the greatest sensibility and specificity. PP are almost always asymptomatic, but there are some controversial about their relationship with asbestos exposure indexes, pulmonary functional alterations and risk of neoplasias.

Optimizing dissolved air flotation design and saturation.

Dissolved air flotation (DAF) of iron hydroxide precipitates at working pressures lower than 3 atm, using modified flotation units to improve the collection of fragile coagula, was studied. Conventional DAF flotation was studied as a function of saturation pressure in the absence and presence of surfactants in the saturator. Without surfactants, the minimum saturation pressure required for DAF to occur was found to be 3 atm. But, by lowering the air/water surface tension in the saturator, DAF was possible at a saturation pressure of 2 atm. This behavior was found to occur in both batch and pilot DAF operation tests and almost complete recovery of the precipitates was attained. Results are explained in terms of the minimum "energy" which has to be transferred to the liquid phase to form bubbles by a cavity phenomenon. Further, studies were conducted changing equipment design and feed bubbles size distribution (mixing micro and "mid-sized" bubbles). Thus, bubbles entrance position in the collision-adhesion zone ("capture" zone) was compared to bubble entrance position in the water flow inlet below the floating bed. A "mushroom" type diffuser was used for the "capture zone" experiment and better performance was obtained. Results are explained in terms of different mass transfer phenomena in the collection zone and in the separation zone. Finally, results obtained with the use of a column flotation cell working as normal DAF and with a wide bubble size range are presented. Results indicate good performance and some gains in process kinetics with middle size bubbles.

[Daily and weekly circadian variations in sudden death in Chagas disease]. / Variações circadianas diárias e semanais na morte súbita da doença de Chagas.

PURPOSE: To determinate the circadian daily and weekly variations in the incidence of sudden death due to Chagas' disease. METHODS: In 50 chronic chagasic individuals with sudden death due to Chagas' disease and in 473 individuals with natural, not sudden death, we analyzed both the day of the week and the time of the death. Statistical tests were applied to determine the significance of the difference between proportions and averages. RESULTS: For the chagasic group the values indicated a highly significant excess of lethality for the period between 12 and 6pm. The occurrence of the sudden death was the same in the different days of the week for both groups. CONCLUSION: The observed results suggest that the sudden death associated with Chagas' disease has a circadian pattern with a vespertine peak. Weekly variations in the sudden death of chronic chagasic individuals were not detected.

Uso do fluralaner no tratamento da demodicidose canina juvenil generalizada: relato de caso / Use of fluralaner on canine generalized juvenile demodicosis treatment: case report

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi relatar a eficácia do fluralaner no tratamento da demodicidose juvenil generalizada canina. Dois caninos, apresentando dois e três meses de idade, com diagnóstico clínico e parasitológico de demodicidose generalizada, foram tratados com administração única de fluralaner, na dose recomendada em bula pelo fabricante. Além disso, foi realizada a terapia adjuvante à base de xampu de peróxido de benzoíla e domperidona. Observou-se uma resposta terapêutica satisfatória, com repilação completa ao 30º dia após a administração do fármaco. Para cada paciente, foi realizado exame parasitológico do raspado cutâneo aos 75 e 90 dias seguintes ao início do tratamento, e todos foram negativos. Tendo em vista a elevada eficácia do tratamento proposto, sugere-se a inclusão do fluralaner nos protocolos terapêuticos destinados à demodicidose canina, particularmente nos pacientes pediátricos e com a forma generalizada da doença.(AU)

The aim of the present study was to report the efficiency of fluralaner on the treatment of two cases of canine generalized juvenile demodicosis. Two puppies, aging two and three months old, with the clinic and parasitological diagnosis of generalized demodicosis were treated with single administration of fluralaner. according to the dose recommended by the responsible laboratory. Additionally, adjuvant therapy was applied using benzoyl peroxide shampoo and domperidone. A satisfactory therapeutic response was observed, and complete repilation was present at the 30th day after drug administration. For each patient, at the 75th and 90th day after the treatment began, skin scrapings were performed in order to investigate the presence of Demodex sp; and all were negative. Considering the high efficiency of the treatment used, we suggest the inclusion of fluralaner on the therapeutic protocol for canine demodicosis, particularly in pediatric patients and with the generalized form of the disease.(AU)

Cinética ruminal de dietas contendo farelo de mamona destoxificado / Ruminal kinetics of diets containing detoxicated castor bean meal

The kinetics of gas production and in vitro ruminal degradation of diets contained replacement of soybean meal (SBM) by detoxicated castorbean meal (DCBM) (0, 15, 30 and 45% of substitution) were evaluated in this study. Values of gas production of non-fibrous carbohydrates (Vf1), fibrous carbohydrates (Vf2) and total carbohydrates (V) showed quadratic behavior, and by observation of equations can be obtained inclusions of 25% the V and Vf1 obtained maximum values of 174.7 and 237.8 ml gas / g DM, respectively. The potential degradability (PD) and effective degradability (ED) of dry matter showed quadratic behavior and by observation of equations can be perceive that up to 18.0% there was an increase in the values of PD and ED that obtained maximum values of 93.7% and 55.7%, respectively. The replacement of SBM by DCBM from 15 to 30% increased the kinetics of gas production and rumen degradation.(AU)

Dimensions of the cranium and of the cranial cavity andintracranial volume in goats (Capra hircus LINNAEUS, 1758)

The aim of this project is to determine the dimensions of the cranium and the cranial cavity and the intracranialvolume in goats, using 64 adults. The dimensions of the cranium and cranial cavity were measured throughmetric tape and paquimeter, considering the intervals of the largest distances. To determine the intracranialvolume, balloons of latex were introduced in the cranial cavity, through the magnum foramen, later on, filledwith water that was transferred for graduate test tube. The average and the standard deviation of length, widthand height of the cranium, in millimeters, were respectively: 218.01 ± 6.96, 120.17 ± 10.01 and 108.14 ± 4.46.The average and the standard deviation of length, width, height, in millimeters, and of the volume of thecranial cavity, in cubic centimeters, were respectively: 109.31 ± 7.25, 61.36 ± 4.51, 63.85 ± 2.88 and119.31 ± 12.21. It was observed that, the width of the cranium possesses positive significant correlationswith the length (r = 0.6865), with the height (r = 0.5644) and with the intracranial volume (r = 0.5436).They were still established, positive significant correlations among the height of the cranial cavity, with thelength (r = 0.5682) and with the intracranial volume (r = 0.5473). Differences were evidenced between malesand females, in relation to the dimensions of the cranium and cranial cavity. There wasn’t difference of theintracranial volume in function of the sex of the goats.

Additive effects of exposure to silica dust and smoking on pulmonary epithelial permeability: a radioaerosol study with technetium-99m labelled DTPA.

BACKGROUND: Increased pulmonary epithelial permeability evaluated by the rate of clearance from lung to blood of the radioaerosol solute technetium-99m labelled diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (99mTc-DTPA) has been reported in smokers and in workers exposed to silica dust. A study was carried out to determine whether there are additive effects of cigarette smoke and exposure to silica dust on clearance rates of 99mTc-DTPA in ceramic workers. METHODS: Thirty one subjects with silicosis were studied, of whom 18 smoked cigarettes and 13 were non-smokers. They had similar histories of exposure to silica dust, and radiological alterations consistent with silicosis. The results from these patients were compared with those from normal subjects and smokers previously studied by the authors. RESULTS: Pulmonary function values were normal in most patients and not significantly different among groups. The median (range) rate of clearance of 99mTc-DTPA in smokers with silicosis was 4.1 (1.9-12.7) %/minute, which was higher than the rates in non-smoking patients with silicosis of 2.2 (1.1-6.6) %/minute and in smokers without exposure to silica dust of 2.9 (1.6-4.5) %/minute. These differences were more evident and significant when the clearance rates of the lower lobes of the three groups were compared. Clearance rates higher than 3%/minute were much more frequent in smokers with silicosis (85%) than in non-smoking patients with silicosis (15%) and in smokers (40%). CONCLUSION: In ceramic workers with radiographic changes resulting from exposure to silica dust, there is an additive effect of inhalation of silica dust and cigarette smoking on clearance rates of 99mTc-DTPA.

Ambulatório de psiquiatria em hospital geral: alguns dados de HC/Unicamp

A partir de um estudo retrospectivo de 507 pacientes adultos atendidos no Serviço de Triagem do Hospital das Clínicas da Unicamp, coletaram-se dados demográficos e de avaliaçäo e evoluçäo psiquiátricas. A maioria dos atendimentos (70%) foi para pacientes com menos de quarenta anos, de sexo feminino (60,7%), com baixa renda familiar, residentes em Campinas (48,7%) e cidades da regiäo. Foram selecionados para "casos novos" preferencialmente pacientes psicóticos, apesar do predomínio de distúrbios psiquiátricos menores (71,4%), notadamente neuróticos, altamente prevalentes na prática médica geral. Por falta de programas específicos, muitos desses pacientes näo foram, aceitos pelo nosso serviço, como também os casos de alcoolismo e dependência de drogas. Houve altas taxas de näo-comparecimento a primeira consulta (26,4%) e de abandono de tratamento (33,2%). Discute-se a inserçäo compromissada do hospital universitário na rede básica de saúde, bem como a necessidade de um diagnóstico das dificuldades e a baixa resolutividade da assistência psiquiátrica por ele prestada

Ambulatorio de Psiquiatria em hospital geral: alguns dados do HC/UNICAMP

A partir de um estudo retrospectivo de 507 pacientes adultos atendidos no Servico de Triagem do Hospital das Clinicas da Unicamp, coletaram-se dados demograficos e de avaliacao e evolucao psiquiatricas. A maioria dos atendimentos (70 por cento) foi para pacientes com menos de quarenta anos, de sexo feminino (60,7 por cento), com baixa renda familiar, residentes em Campinas (48,7 por cento) e cidades da regiao. Foram selecionados para 'casos novos' preferencialmente pacientes psicoticos, apesar do predominio de disturbios psiquiatricos menores (71,4 por cento), notadamente neuroticos, altamente prevalentes na pratica medica geral. Por falta de programas especificos, muitos desses pacientes nao foram aceitos pelo nosso servico, como tambem os casos de alcoolismo e dependencia de drogas. Houve altas taxas de nao-comparecimento a primeira consulta (26,4 por cento) e de abandono de tratamento (33,2 por cento). Discute-se a insercao compromissada do hospital universitario na rede basica de saude, bem como a necessidade de um diagnostico das dificuldades e a baixa resolutividade da assistencia psiquiatrica por ele prestada.

Derrame pleural tuberculoso e lesoes pulmonares associadas. / Tuberculous pleural effusion and associated pulmonary lesions

Os autores estudam 111 casos de tuberculose pleural, comprovados pelo achado de granuloma com necrose caseosa em fragmento de pleura parietal, e descrevem a incidencia das lesoes pulmonares, mediastinicas e hilares associadas ao derrame pleural.Em 53,l% dos pacientes o derrame era do lado direito e em 9,9% bilateral. A incidencia dos derrames moderados (48,6%) predominou sobre os discretos (12,6%) e volumosos (38,7%). Em 62,0% das vezes houve o aparecimento de alguma lesao associada ao derrame. Dentre estas, as mais comuns foram os infiltrados nodulares difusos (35,l%) e as microcalcificacoes pulmonares (22,5%); com menor frequencia apareceram os infiltrados apicais, lesoes cavitarias ou cisticas, nodulos solitarios e outras lesoes. Nos concluimos que a concomitancia de lesoes pulmonares, mediastinicas e/ou peri-hilares e um fato comum nos pacientes com derrame pleural tuberculoso e pode ser importante na sua patogenese