Tratamento de água de reservatórios por dupla filtração, oxidação e adsorção em carvão ativado granular

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o tratamento de água bruta proveniente de um reservatório de água, utilizando instalação piloto de dupla filtração (DF), composta por filtro ascendente de pedregulho (FAP) e filtro rápido descendente de areia (FRD), seguida de uma unidade de pós-tratamento com carvão ativado granular (CAG). Adicionalmente, foi verificado o efeito da pré e interoxidação (entre o FAP e o FRD) na eficiência global do tratamento e na formação de subprodutos orgânicos halogenados (SOH). Em função dos resultados obtidos, foi observado que a pré-oxidação melhorou a qualidade do efluente do FAP e a interoxidação favoreceu que resultassem valores menores de turbidez e cor no efluente do FRD. O processo de tratamento por adsorção em carvão ativado granular, utilizado como pós-tratamento, mostrou-se eficiente para assegurar a qualidade dos efluentes finais nos ensaios realizados, especialmente, em relação à remoção de matéria orgânica, cianobactérias e cor. As concentrações máximas de SOH encontrados nos efluentes do FRD e do FCAG não ultrapassaram os valores limites da Portaria nº 2.914/2011 do Ministério da Saúde.

Efficient Placement of Fault Indicators in an Actual Distribution System Using Evolutionary Computing

This paper proposes an evolutionary computing strategy to solve the problem of fault indicator (FI) placement in primary distribution feeders. More specifically, a genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to search for an efficient configuration of FIs, located at the best positions on the main feeder of a real-life distribution system. Thus, the problem is modeled as one of optimization, aimed at improving the distribution reliability indices, while, at the same time, finding the least expensive solution. Based on actual data, the results confirm the efficiency of the GA approach to the FI placement problem.

T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia: treatment experience with fludarabine

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the results of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia treatment with fludarabine by assessing the complete hematologic response, the complete molecular response, progression-free survival, and overall survival. METHODS: We evaluated the records of six patients with T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia who were treated with fludarabine as a first-, second-, or third-line therapy, at a dose of 40 mg/m(2), for three to five days per month and 6 to 8 cycles. RESULTS: Of the six patients investigated with T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia who were treated with fludarabine, five (83.3%) were female, and their median age was 36.5 years (range 18 to 73). The median lymphocyte level was 3.4x10(9)/L (0.5 to 8.9). All patients exhibited a monoclonal T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement at diagnosis. Two (33.3%) patients received fludarabine as first-line treatment, two (33.3%) for refractory disease, one (16.6%) for relapsed disease after the suspension of methotrexate treatment due to liver toxicity, and one (16.6%) due to dyspesia. A complete hematologic response was achieved in all cases, and a complete molecular response was achieved in five out six cases (83.3%). During a mean follow-up period of 12 months, both the progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 100%. CONCLUSION: T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia demonstrated a high rate of complete hematologic and molecular response to fludarabine, with excellent compliance and tolerability rates. To confirm our results in this rare disease, we believe that fludarabine should be tested in clinical trials as a first-line treatment for T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia.

Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), CD4(+)/CD8(weak) T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGL leukemia) and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS): molecular and flow cytometry characterization of three concomitant hematological disorders

The diagnosis of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia in association with other B-cell disorders is uncommon but not unknown. However, the concomitant presence of three hematological diseases is extraordinarily rare. We report an 88-year-old male patient with three simultaneous clonal disorders, that is, CD4+/CD8(weak) T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia, monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis. The patient has only minimal complaints and has no anemia, neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly were not present. The three disorders were characterized by flow cytometry analysis, and the clonality of the T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Interestingly, the patient has different B-cell clones, given that plasma cells of monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance exhibited a kappa light-chain restriction population and, on the other hand, B-lymphocytes of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis exhibited a lambda light-chain restriction population. This finding does not support the antigen-driven hypothesis for the development of multi-compartment diseases, but suggests that T-cell large granular lymphocytic expansion might represent a direct antitumor immunological response to both B-cell and plasma-cell aberrant populations, as part of the immune surveillance against malignant neoplasms.

Central Granular Cell Odontogenic Tumor of the Maxilla

The central granular cell odontogenic tumor (CGCOT) is a rare benign odontogenic neoplasm composed of varying amounts of large eosinophilic granular cells and apparently inactive odontogenic epithelium. It tends to occur as a small asymptomatic swelling in the posterior region of the mandible with nonaggressive appearance. We report an unusual case of CGCOT in the maxillary region with clinical features of malignancy. The patient underwent surgical treatment, and the 2-year follow-up revealed no signs of recurrence. Central granular cell odontogenic tumor is a very rare condition with few cases reported, especially in the maxillary region. This case highlights the possibility of aggressive behavior by these lesions.

Microbial characterization and removal of anionic surfactant in an expanded granular sludge bed reactor

This study evaluated linear alkylbenzene sulfonate removal in an expanded granular sludge bed reactor with hydraulic retention times of 26 h and 32 h. Sludge bed and separator phase biomass were phylogenetically characterized (sequencing 16S rRNA) and quantified (most probable number) to determine the total anaerobic bacteria and methanogenic Archaea. The reactor was fed with a mineral medium supplemented with 14 mg l(-1) LAS, ethanol and methanol. The stage I-32 h consisted of biomass adaptation (without LAS influent) until reactor stability was achieved (COD removal >97%). In stage II-32 h, LAS removal was 74% due to factors such as dilution, degradation and adsorption. Higher HRT values increased the LAS removal (stage III: 26 h - 48% and stage IV: 32 h - 64%), probably due to increased contact time between the biomass and LAS. The clone libraries were different between samples from the sludge bed (Synergitetes and Proteobacteria) and the separator phase (Firmicutes and Proteobacteria) biomass. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A quantitative analysis of current security concerns and solutions for cloud computing

The development of cloud computing services is speeding up the rate in which the organizations outsource their computational services or sell their idle computational resources. Even though migrating to the cloud remains a tempting trend from a financial perspective, there are several other aspects that must be taken into account by companies before they decide to do so. One of the most important aspect refers to security: while some cloud computing security issues are inherited from the solutions adopted to create such services, many new security questions that are particular to these solutions also arise, including those related to how the services are organized and which kind of service/data can be placed in the cloud. Aiming to give a better understanding of this complex scenario, in this article we identify and classify the main security concerns and solutions in cloud computing, and propose a taxonomy of security in cloud computing, giving an overview of the current status of security in this emerging technology.

Remoção de diclofenaco, ibuprofeno, naproxeno e paracetamol em filtro ecológico seguido por filtro de carvão granular biologicamente ativado

O filtro ecológico representa uma promissora tecnologia de tratamento, em razão desta não necessitar da aplicação de produtos químicos, além de sua constatada eficiência. Nele, estabelece-se entre os seres vivos a relação de cadeia alimentar. Inicialmente uma matriz aquosa foi acrescida de quatro fármacos (diclofenaco, naproxeno, ibuprofeno e paracetamol) e posteriormente analisada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência para avaliar a remoção desses compostos pelo filtro ecológico seguido pelo filtro de carvão granular biologicamente ativado. Parâmetros, entre eles turbidez, coliformes totais e termotolerantes, cor aparente e cor verdadeira, foram mensurados para verificar a eficiência dos filtros. Houve remoção de 97,43% do diclofenaco, 85,03% do ibuprofeno: 94,11% do naproxeno e 84,07% do paracetamol.