Mixing design for enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse: methodology for selection of impeller configuration.

One of the major process bottlenecks for viable industrial production of second generation ethanol is related with technical-economic difficulties in the hydrolysis step. The development of a methodology to choose the best configuration of impellers towards improving mass transfer and hydrolysis yield together with a low power consumption is important to make the process cost-effective. In this work, four dual impeller configurations (DICs) were evaluated during hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) experiments in a stirred tank reactor (3 L). The systems tested were dual Rushton turbine impellers (DIC1), Rushton and elephant ear (down-pumping) turbines (DIC2), Rushton and elephant ear (up-pumping) turbines (DIC3), and down-pumping and up-pumping elephant ear turbines (DIC4). The experiments were conducted during 96 h, using 10 % (m/v) SCB, pH 4.8, 50 °C, 10 FPU/g biomass, 470 rpm. The mixing time was successfully used as the characteristic parameter to select the best impeller configuration. Rheological parameters were determined using a rotational rheometer, and the power consumptions of the four DICs were on-line measured with a dynamometer. The values obtained for the energetic efficiency (the ratio between the cellulose to glucose conversion and the total energy) showed that the proposed methodology was successful in choosing a suitable configuration of impellers, wherein the DIC4 obtained approximately three times higher energetic efficiency than DIC1. Furthermore a scale-up protocol (factor scale-up 1000) for the enzymatic hydrolysis reactor was proposed.

Power consumption evaluation of different fed-batch strategies for enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse.

The minimization of costs in the distillation step of lignocellulosic ethanol production requires the use of a high solids loading during the enzymatic hydrolysis to obtain a more concentrated glucose liquor. However, this increase in biomass can lead to problems including increased mass and heat transfer resistance, decreased cellulose conversion, and increased apparent viscosity with the associated increase in power consumption. The use of fed-batch operation offers a promising way to circumvent these problems. In this study, one batch and four fed-batch strategies for solids and/or enzyme feeding during the enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse were evaluated. Determinations of glucose concentration, power consumption, and apparent viscosity were made throughout the experiments, and the different strategies were compared in terms of energy efficiency (mass of glucose produced according to the energy consumed). The best energy efficiency was obtained for the strategy in which substrate and enzyme were added simultaneously (0.35 kg(glucose) kWh⁻¹). This value was 52% higher than obtained in batch operation.

[Factors associated infant development in Brazilian children: baseline of the impact assessment of the Happy Child Program]. / Fatores associados ao desenvolvimento infantil em crianças brasileiras: linha de base da avaliação do impacto do Programa Criança Feliz.

The study aimed to assess socioeconomic, family, and individual factors associated with infant development (i.e., in the first year of life) among families with social vulnerability. This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized trial. The study included 3,242 children < 12 months of age living in 30 municipalities from five regions of Brazil. The choice of states and municipalities was intentional, based on the implementation of the Brazilian Happy Child Program. The sample was selected among eligible children for the Brazilian Happy Child Program, and the objective was the promotion of infant development. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to assess infant development. A three-level analytical model (state, municipality, and individuals), using the Wald test for heterogeneity and linear trend, estimated the mean ASQ-3 and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. Information was analyzed for 3,061 (94.4%) children with available data for ASQ-3. Infant development scores (total and in all the domains) were some 12% lower in preterm children and those with intrauterine growth restriction (small for gestational age). Lower scores were seen in children of mothers with low schooling, depressive symptoms, two or more children under seven years of age living in the household, and who did not report self-perceived support or help during the pregnancy. In conclusion, potentially modifiable characteristics (schooling, maternal depression, and prematurity/intrauterine growth restriction) showed greater impact on reducing the infant development score in all the target domains.

O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar os fatores socioeconômicos, familiares e individuais associados ao desenvolvimento infantil no primeiro ano de vida, entre famílias em vulnerabilidade social. Trata-se de uma análise transversal, com dados da linha de base de um ensaio randomizado. O estudo incluiu 3.242 crianças < 12 meses de idade, residentes em 30 municípios de cinco regiões do Brasil. A escolha de estados e municípios foi intencional, tendo como base a implementação do Programa Criança Feliz. A amostra foi selecionada a partir de crianças elegíveis para o Programa Criança Feliz, cujo objetivo é promover a estimulação e o desenvolvimento infantil. O Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) foi utilizado para avaliação do desenvolvimento infantil. Um modelo de análise multinível em três níveis (estado, município e indivíduos), usando teste de Wald para heterogeneidade e tendência linear, estimou a média do ASQ-3 e intervalo de 95% de confiança (IC95%). Análises foram ajustadas para potenciais confundidores. Foram analisadas informações de 3.061 (94,4%) crianças com dados disponíveis para ASQ-3. Escores de desenvolvimento infantil (total e em todos os domínios) foram cerca de 12% menores em crianças nascidas pré-termo e com restrição do crescimento intrauterino (pequenas para idade gestacional). Observou-se menores escores em filhos de mães com baixa escolaridade, com sintomas de depressão, com duas ou mais crianças menores de sete anos residindo no domicílio e que não relataram autopercepção de apoio/ajuda durante a gestação. Conclui-se que características potencialmente modificáveis (escolaridade, depressão materna e prematuridade/restrição do crescimento intrauterino) apresentaram maior impacto na redução do escore de desenvolvimento em todos os domínios avaliados.

El objetivo fue evaluar los factores socioeconómicos, familiares e individuales, asociados al desarrollo infantil en el primer año de vida, entre familias con vulnerabilidad social. Se trata de un análisis transversal, con datos de la base de referencia de un ensayo aleatorio. El estudio incluyó a 3.242 niños < 12 meses de edad, residentes en 30 municipios de cinco regiones de Brasil. La elección de estados y municipios fue intencional, considerando como base la implementación del Programa Niño Feliz. La muestra se seleccionó a partir de niños elegibles para el Programa Niño Feliz, cuyo objetivo es promover la estimulación y el desarrollo infantil. Se utilizó el Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) para la evaluación del desarrollo infantil. Un modelo de análisis multinivel en tres niveles (estado, municipio e individuos), usando el test de Wald para la heterogeneidad y tendencia lineal, estimó la media del ASQ-3 y el intervalo de 95% de confianza (IC95%). Los análisis se ajustaron para potenciales factores de confusión. Se analizó información de 3.061 (94,4%) niños con datos disponibles para ASQ-3. Las puntuaciones de desarrollo infantil (total y en todos los dominios) fueron cerca de un 12% menores en niños nacidos pretérmino y con restricción del crecimiento intrauterino (pequeños para la edad gestacional). Se observaron menores puntuaciones en hijos de madres con baja escolaridad, con síntomas de depresión, con dos o más niños menores de siete años residiendo en el domicilio y que no informaron autopercepción de apoyo/ayuda durante la gestación. Se concluye que las características potencialmente modificables (escolaridad, depresión materna y prematuridad/restricción del crecimiento intrauterino) presentaron un mayor impacto en la reducción de la puntuación de desarrollo en todos los dominios evaluados.

Fatores associados ao desenvolvimento infantil em crianças brasileiras: linha de base da avaliação do impacto do Programa Criança Feliz / Factors associated infant development in Brazilian children: baseline of the impact assessment of the Happy Child Program / Factores asociados al desarrollo infantil en niños brasileños: base de referencia para la evaluación del impacto del Programa Niño Feliz

Resumo: O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar os fatores socioeconômicos, familiares e individuais associados ao desenvolvimento infantil no primeiro ano de vida, entre famílias em vulnerabilidade social. Trata-se de uma análise transversal, com dados da linha de base de um ensaio randomizado. O estudo incluiu 3.242 crianças < 12 meses de idade, residentes em 30 municípios de cinco regiões do Brasil. A escolha de estados e municípios foi intencional, tendo como base a implementação do Programa Criança Feliz. A amostra foi selecionada a partir de crianças elegíveis para o Programa Criança Feliz, cujo objetivo é promover a estimulação e o desenvolvimento infantil. O Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) foi utilizado para avaliação do desenvolvimento infantil. Um modelo de análise multinível em três níveis (estado, município e indivíduos), usando teste de Wald para heterogeneidade e tendência linear, estimou a média do ASQ-3 e intervalo de 95% de confiança (IC95%). Análises foram ajustadas para potenciais confundidores. Foram analisadas informações de 3.061 (94,4%) crianças com dados disponíveis para ASQ-3. Escores de desenvolvimento infantil (total e em todos os domínios) foram cerca de 12% menores em crianças nascidas pré-termo e com restrição do crescimento intrauterino (pequenas para idade gestacional). Observou-se menores escores em filhos de mães com baixa escolaridade, com sintomas de depressão, com duas ou mais crianças menores de sete anos residindo no domicílio e que não relataram autopercepção de apoio/ajuda durante a gestação. Conclui-se que características potencialmente modificáveis (escolaridade, depressão materna e prematuridade/restrição do crescimento intrauterino) apresentaram maior impacto na redução do escore de desenvolvimento em todos os domínios avaliados.

Abstract: The study aimed to assess socioeconomic, family, and individual factors associated with infant development (i.e., in the first year of life) among families with social vulnerability. This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized trial. The study included 3,242 children < 12 months of age living in 30 municipalities from five regions of Brazil. The choice of states and municipalities was intentional, based on the implementation of the Brazilian Happy Child Program. The sample was selected among eligible children for the Brazilian Happy Child Program, and the objective was the promotion of infant development. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to assess infant development. A three-level analytical model (state, municipality, and individuals), using the Wald test for heterogeneity and linear trend, estimated the mean ASQ-3 and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. Information was analyzed for 3,061 (94.4%) children with available data for ASQ-3. Infant development scores (total and in all the domains) were some 12% lower in preterm children and those with intrauterine growth restriction (small for gestational age). Lower scores were seen in children of mothers with low schooling, depressive symptoms, two or more children under seven years of age living in the household, and who did not report self-perceived support or help during the pregnancy. In conclusion, potentially modifiable characteristics (schooling, maternal depression, and prematurity/intrauterine growth restriction) showed greater impact on reducing the infant development score in all the target domains.

Resumen: El objetivo fue evaluar los factores socioeconómicos, familiares e individuales, asociados al desarrollo infantil en el primer año de vida, entre familias con vulnerabilidad social. Se trata de un análisis transversal, con datos de la base de referencia de un ensayo aleatorio. El estudio incluyó a 3.242 niños < 12 meses de edad, residentes en 30 municipios de cinco regiones de Brasil. La elección de estados y municipios fue intencional, considerando como base la implementación del Programa Niño Feliz. La muestra se seleccionó a partir de niños elegibles para el Programa Niño Feliz, cuyo objetivo es promover la estimulación y el desarrollo infantil. Se utilizó el Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) para la evaluación del desarrollo infantil. Un modelo de análisis multinivel en tres niveles (estado, municipio e individuos), usando el test de Wald para la heterogeneidad y tendencia lineal, estimó la media del ASQ-3 y el intervalo de 95% de confianza (IC95%). Los análisis se ajustaron para potenciales factores de confusión. Se analizó información de 3.061 (94,4%) niños con datos disponibles para ASQ-3. Las puntuaciones de desarrollo infantil (total y en todos los dominios) fueron cerca de un 12% menores en niños nacidos pretérmino y con restricción del crecimiento intrauterino (pequeños para la edad gestacional). Se observaron menores puntuaciones en hijos de madres con baja escolaridad, con síntomas de depresión, con dos o más niños menores de siete años residiendo en el domicilio y que no informaron autopercepción de apoyo/ayuda durante la gestación. Se concluye que las características potencialmente modificables (escolaridad, depresión materna y prematuridad/restricción del crecimiento intrauterino) presentaron un mayor impacto en la reducción de la puntuación de desarrollo en todos los dominios evaluados.

Características clínicas e psicológicas de pacientes asmáticos de um Ambulatório de Pneumologia / Clinical and psychological characteristics of asthmatic patients of a Pulmonology Outpatient clinic / Características clínicas y psicológicas de pacientes asmáticos de un Ambulatorio de Neumología

A asma é uma doença crônica e intervenções psicológicas podem melhorar seu manejo. Este estudo objetiva correlacionar características clínicas e psicológicas dos asmáticos. Foram avaliados vinte e quatro adultos asmáticos em Ambulatório de Pneumologia, sendo administrados questionários de controle e qualidade de vida em asma, escalas de Otimismo/Pessimismo, Satisfação de Vida, Esperança Disposicional e Esperança de Staats. Controle da asma apresentou correlação estatisticamente significativa, com escore total (r=-0,69, p<0,01), domínios sintomas (r=-0,64, p<0,01) e emoções (r=-0,53, p<0,01) do Questionário de Qualidade de Vida e com o domínio estímulo ambiental (r=-0,42, p<0,05). Observou-se, também, que a dimensão hope-self (Esperança Staats) obteve correlações estatisticamente significativas com o Questionário de Controle de Asma (r=-0,45, p<0,05). O controle da asma apresentou relação importante com qualidade de vida. Os resultados mostraram que pacientes com maior controle da asma apresentaram maiores escores de esperança, mas não de otimismo...

Asthma is a chronic disease and psychological interventions can improve its management. This study aims to correlate clinical and psychological characteristics of asthmatic patients. Twenty-four patients were evaluated in the Pulmonology Outpatient Clinic of Santa Casa, in Porto Alegre, and were surveyed with asthma control and quality of life questionnaires, Optimism/Pessimism questionnaires, Satisfaction of life, Hope trace and Staats Hope scales. Asthma control demonstrated statistically significant correlation with the total score (r=-0,69, p<0,01), the domain symptoms (r=-0,64, p<0,01) and emotions (r=-0,53, p<0,01) of the Quality of Life Questionnaire and with the ambient domain (r=-0,42, p<0,05). The hope-self dimension (Staats Hope) showed statistically significant correlation with the Asthma Control Questionnaire (r=-0,45, p<0,05). Asthma control has an important relationship with quality of life. The results showed that patients with greater asthma control had higher scores of hope, but not optimism...

El asma es una enfermedad crónica e intervenciones psicológicas pueden mejorar su gestión. Este estudio pretende correlacionar características clínicas y psicológicas de los asmáticos. Se evaluaron veinticuatro asmáticos del Ambulatorio de Neumología de la Santa Casa de Porto Alegre, siendo administrados cuestionarios de control y calidad de vida en el asma, escalas de Optimismo/Pesimismo, Satisfacción con la Vida y Disposición de Esperanza e Esperanza Staats. El control del asma mostró una correlación estadísticamente significativa con la puntuación total (r=-0,69, p<0,01), el dominio síntomas (r=-0,64, p<0,01) y emociones (r=-0,53, p<0,01) del cuestionario de calidad de vida y con el dominio de los estímulos ambientales (r=-0,42, p<0,05). También se observó que la dimensión hope-self (Esperanza Staats) mostró correlación estadísticamente significativa con el Cuestionario de Control del Asma (r=-0,45, p<0,05). El control del asma presentó una relación importante con la calidad de vida. Los resultados mostraron que los pacientes con mayor control del asma tienen mayores puntuaciones en esperanza, pero no de optimismo...

Effect of a novel essential oil mouthrinse without alcohol on gingivitis: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Several different plant extracts have been evaluated with respect to their antimicrobial effects against oral pathogens and for reduction of gingivitis. Given that a large number of these substances have been associated with significant side effects that contraindicate their long-term use, new compounds need to be tested. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term safety and efficacy of a Lippia sidoides ("alecrim pimenta")-based essential oil mouthrinse on gingival inflammation and bacterial plaque. Fifty-five patients were enrolled into a pilot, double-blinded, randomized, parallel-armed study. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo a 7-day treatment regimen with either the L. sidoides-based mouthrinse or 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthrinse. The results demonstrated decreased plaque index, gingival index and gingival bleeding index scores at 7 days, as compared to baseline. There was no statistically significance difference (p>0.05) between test and control groups for any of the clinical parameters assessed throughout the study. Adverse events were mild and transient. The findings of this study demonstrated that the L. sidoides-based mouthrinse was safe and efficacious in reducing bacterial plaque and gingival inflammation.

Effect of a novel essential oil mouthrinse without alcohol on gingivitis: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial

Several different plant extracts have been evaluated with respect to their antimicrobial effects against oral pathogens and for reduction of gingivitis. Given that a large number of these substances have been associated with significant side effects that contraindicate their long-term use, new compounds need to be tested. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term safety and efficacy of a Lippia sidoides ("alecrim pimenta")-based essential oil mouthrinse on gingival inflammation and bacterial plaque. Fifty-five patients were enrolled into a pilot, double-blinded, randomized, parallel-armed study. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo a 7-day treatment regimen with either the L. sidoides-based mouthrinse or 0.12 percent chlorhexidine mouthrinse. The results demonstrated decreased plaque index, gingival index and gingival bleeding index scores at 7 days, as compared to baseline. There was no statistically significance difference (p>0.05) between test and control groups for any of the clinical parameters assessed throughout the study. Adverse events were mild and transient. The findings of this study demonstrated that the L. sidoides-based mouthrinse was safe and efficacious in reducing bacterial plaque and gingival inflammation.

Vigilancia de obitos infantis em sistemas locais de saude: avaliacao da autopsia verbal e das informacoes de agentes de saude / Surveillance of infant deaths in local health systems: assessment of verbal autopsies and of information collected by community health agents

Conhecer os eventos vitais de uma populaçao e de fundamental importancia para combater a morbimortalidade e melhorar as condicoes de vida. Contudo, no Brasil, os sistemas de informacao de saude tem-se mostrado ineficientes. No presente estudo, realizado em tres municipios do Estado do Ceara (Quixada, Icapui e Jucas), com boa cobertura de servicos de atencao primaria a saude, foram investigados, atraves de um instrumento epidemiologico denominado autopsia verbal, 215 obitos de criancas menores de 1 ano de idade, representando 90 por cento do total dos obitos em 1993 e 1994. Foram averiguadas as caracteristicas socioeconomicas, cuidados e higiene, estado nutricional, o processo de doenca, assistencia e morte, a causa basica do obito e o funcionamento do sistema de informacao sobre mortalidade e do sistema de informacao de agentes de saude. Segundo a autopsia verbal, 39 por cento dos obitos tiveram como causa basica a diarreia, seguida da prematuridade (17 por cento) e infeccao respiratoria aguda (10 por cento); 49 por cento das criancas morreram no domicilio, embora 79 por cento das familias tenham procurado os servicos de saude no decorrer da doenca fatal, sugerindo uma baixa efetividade na identificacao e no tratamento de lactentes com doencas graves. Em 84 por cento dos casos, a familia procurou a rezadeira. Os agentes de saude foram procurados em 29 por cento dos casos, embora tenham notificado 78 por cento dos obitos investigados. A concordancia estatistica entre diagnostico dos agentes de saude para a causa basica do obito e autopsia verbal foi boa para a diarreia, regular para outras causas, e fraca para a infeccao respiratoria aguda. A incorporacao da autopsia verbal a rotina dos servicos de atencao primaria a saude do Estado propiciaria informacoes valiosas para as equipes locais de saude e geraria uma consciencia critica que favorece a reducao da mortalidade infantil

Knowing the vital statistics of a population is fundamental in controlling morbidity and mortality and improving living conditions. In Brazil, however, the available health information systems do not provide reliable vital statistics. This study was carried out in Quixadá, Icapuí, and Jucás, three municipalities in the state of Ceará that had good coverage by primary health care services. The study used an epidemiological instrument known as a "verbal autopsy" and investigated 215 (90%) of the 237 deaths of children younger than 1 year identified in 1993 and 1994 in the three communities. We investigated socioeconomic characteristics; sanitary conditions; nutritional status; the course of illness, health care, and death; the cause of death; and the operation of the national mortality information system and of the community health agents system. According to the verbal autopsies, diarrhea was the cause of death in 39% of the cases, followed by premature birth (17%), and acute respiratory infections (10%). Even though 79% of the families had sought formal health care services during the child's illness, 49% of the infants had died at home. This suggests limited effectiveness in the identification and treatment of sick infants. In 84% of the cases the family sought help from folk healers. Although community health agents reported 78% of the deaths, only 29% of the families had sought help from the agents during the children's illnesses. In terms of the statistical agreement between the information on the cause of death provided by community health agents and by the verbal autopsies, the agreement was good for diarrhea, intermediate for other causes, and low for acute respiratory infections. Making verbal autopsy a routine part of primary health care services in Ceará would provide invaluable information for local health care teams and would raise a critical consciousness fostering a reduction in infant mortality.