Annoyance and welfare costs from the presence of renewable energy power plants: an application of the contingent valuation method

Sustainability is frequently defined by its three pillars: economically viable, socially equitable, and environmentally bearable. Consequently the evaluation of the sustainability of any decision, public or private, requires information on these three dimensions. This paper focuses on social sustainability. In the context of renewable energy sources, the examination of social sustainability requires the analysis of not only the efficiency but also the equity of its welfare impacts. The present paper proposes and applies a methodology to generate the information necessary to do a proper welfare analysis of the social sustainability of renewable energy production facilities. This information is key both for an equity and an efficiency analysis. The analysis focuses on the case of investments in renewable energy electricity production facilities, where the impacts on local residents’ welfare are often significantly different than the welfare effects on the general population. We apply the contingent valuation method to selected facilities across the different renewable energy power plants located in Portugal and conclude that local residents acknowledge differently the damage sustained by the type, location and operation of the plants. The results from these case studies attest to the need of acknowledging and quantifying the negative impacts on local communities when assessing the economic viability, social equity and environmental impact of renewable energy projects.

Carbonation front progress in mortars containing fly ash considering the presence of chloride ions

The incorporation of fly ash (FA) in cementitious matrices have been frequently used in order to make the matrix more resistant to the action of chlorides. On the other hand, it is known that Ca (OH)2 existing in the matrix is partially consumed by the pozzolanic reactions, which facilitates the advancement of carbonation. Given that the combined action between carbonation and chloride penetration is a fact little known, we speculate about the behaviour of the matrix in this context. This study investigates the influence of the presence of chlorides on the carbonation in mortars with FA. Samples with 0% and 40% replacement of cement CEM I 42.5 R for FA were molded with water/binder 0.56 and 0.52 respectively. After 90 days of curing the specimens were subjected to cycles of immersion/drying for 56 days. Half of the samples was subjected to the following cycle: two days in a solution containing NaCl (concentration equal to 3.5 %); 12 days in the carbonation chamber (4% of CO2). The other half was: two days in water; 12 days in the carbonation chamber. Then, the development of carbonation was evaluated. The results indicate that the presence of chlorides influences the carbonation. The specimens submitted to the exclusive action of CO2 showed a greater depth of carbonation compared to that presented by the specimens subjected to combined action. This may be related to changes in properties of the matrix which may lead to further refinement of the pores and related to the presence of the salt that can lead to partial filling of the pores and the increase in moisture content.

Predicting type of delivery by identification of obstetric risk factors through data mining

In Maternity Care, a quick decision has to be made about the most suitable delivery type for the current patient. Guidelines are followed by physicians to support that decision; however, those practice recommendations are limited and underused. In the last years, caesarean delivery has been pursued in over 28% of pregnancies, and other operative techniques regarding specific problems have also been excessively employed. This study identifies obstetric and pregnancy factors that can be used to predict the most appropriate delivery technique, through the induction of data mining models using real data gathered in the perinatal and maternal care unit of Centro Hospitalar of Oporto (CHP). Predicting the type of birth envisions high-quality services, increased safety and effectiveness of specific practices to help guide maternity care decisions and facilitate optimal outcomes in mother and child. In this work was possible to acquire good results, achieving sensitivity and specificity values of 90.11% and 80.05%, respectively, providing the CHP with a model capable of correctly identify caesarean sections and vaginal deliveries.

Presence of starch enhances in vitro biodegradation and biocompatibility of a gentamicin delivery formulation

The effect of α-amylase degradation on the release of gentamicin from starch-conjugated chitosan microparticles was investigated up to 60 days. Scanning electron microscopic observations showed an increase in the porosity and surface roughness of the microparticles as well as reduced diameters. This was confirmed by 67% weight loss of the microparticles in the presence of α-amylase. Over time, a highly porous matrix was obtained leading to increased permeability and increased water uptake with possible diffusion of gentamicin. Indeed, a faster release of gentamicin was observed with α-amylase. Starch-conjugated chitosan particles are non-toxic and highly biocompatible for an osteoblast (SaOs-2) and fibroblast (L929) cell line as well as adipose-derived stem cells. When differently produced starch-conjugated chitosan particles were tested, their cytotoxic effect on SaOs-2 cells was found to be dependent on the crosslinking agent and on the amount of starch used.

Utentes da Consulta Externa de Ginecologia/Obstetrícia da Maternidade Júlio Dinis

Com o objectivo de fazer a caracterização da situação social e demográfica e das condições de saúde médica e psicológica das utentes da Consulta Externa de Ginecologia/Obstretícia da Maternidade Júlio Dinis e de seus companheiros, duzentas mulheres e cento e setenta e cinco homens (N=375) foram entrevistados com base num questionário desenhado para o efeito, durante o primeiro trimestre de gestação. Observamos o desfavorecimento social e económico da amostra, particularmente no grupo das mulheres. Constatamos que a situação matrimonial e familiar é estável; no entanto, muitos agregados familiares são recentes, incluem outros familiares e este é um primeiro filho do casal. A rede de apoio social e emocional da amostra é geralmente constituída por familiares, estando mais presente para as mulheres do que para os homens e muitas vezes o companheiro não é referido como confidente, sobretudo pelas mulheres. A gestação não é geralmente de risco; não obstante, a presença frequente de problemas psicológicos uma pior aceitação inicial da gravidez no caso das mulheres. Os hábitos de vida tornam-se mais saudáveis com a gestação; no entanto, é ainda elevado o consumo de substâncias, como o tabaco, pela grávida. Problemas ginecológicos e obstétricos foram referidos, assim como a presença de adversidades na história psicológica e desenvolvimental dos participantes. Concluímos que as utentes da Consulta Externa de Ginecologia/Obstetrícia da Maternidade Júlio Dinis e seus companheiros apresentam indicadores relevantes de risco médico, psicológico e social que devem ser considerados na prestação de melhores cuidados de saúde.