Does generic entry always increase consumer welfare?

This article examines how the nature of competition between brands in a therapeutic category changes after generic entry and provides a framework for analyzing the effect of generic entry on consumer welfare that takes into account the generic free riding problem. It demonstrates that changes in competition along dimensions other than retail price - such as competition in research and development efforts and in promotional activities - may, in certain situations, result in generic entry having an overall negative impact on consumer welfare.

Analysis of Poverty Dynamics in Canada (Working Paper 9)

While we know much about poverty (or “low income”) in Canada in a static context, our understanding of the underlying dynamics remains very limited. This is particularly problematic from a policy perspective and the country has been increasingly left out on an international level in this regard. The contribution of this paper is to report the results of an empirical analysis of low income (“poverty”) dynamics in Canada using the recently available “LAD” tax-based database. The paper first describes the general nature of individuals’ poverty profiles (how many are short-term versus longterm, etc.)., the breakdown of the poor population in any given year amongst these different types, and the characterisation of poverty profiles by sex and family type. It then reports the estimation of various econometric models, starting with a set which specifies entry into and exit from poverty in any given year as a function of a variety of personal attributes and situational characteristics, including family status and changes therein, province of residence, inter-provincial mobility, language, area size of residence and calendar year (to capture trend effects). A set of proper hazard models then adds duration effects to these specifications to see how exit and re-entry probabilities shift with the amount of time spent in a poverty spell or after having exited a previous spell. A final set of specifications then investigates “occurrence dependence” effects by including past poverty spells first in an entry model and then with respect to the probability of being poor in a given year. Policy implications are discussed.

The Antibiotic Resistance and Prescribing in European Children Project: A Neonatal and Pediatric Antimicrobial Web-based Point Prevalence Survey in 73 Hospitals Worldwide

BACKGROUND: The neonatal and pediatric antimicrobial point prevalence survey (PPS) of the Antibiotic Resistance and Prescribing in European Children project (http://www.arpecproject.eu/) aims to standardize a method for surveillance of antimicrobial use in children and neonates admitted to the hospital within Europe. This article describes the audit criteria used and reports overall country-specific proportions of antimicrobial use. An analytical review presents methodologies on antimicrobial use.

METHODS: A 1-day PPS on antimicrobial use in hospitalized children was organized in September 2011, using a previously validated and standardized method. The survey included all inpatient pediatric and neonatal beds and identified all children receiving an antimicrobial treatment on the day of survey. Mandatory data were age, gender, (birth) weight, underlying diagnosis, antimicrobial agent, dose and indication for treatment. Data were entered through a web-based system for data-entry and reporting, based on the WebPPS program developed for the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption project.

RESULTS: There were 2760 and 1565 pediatric versus 1154 and 589 neonatal inpatients reported among 50 European (n = 14 countries) and 23 non-European hospitals (n = 9 countries), respectively. Overall, antibiotic pediatric and neonatal use was significantly higher in non-European (43.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 41.3-46.3% and 39.4%; 95% CI: 35.5-43.4%) compared with that in European hospitals (35.4; 95% CI: 33.6-37.2% and 21.8%; 95% CI: 19.4-24.2%). Proportions of antibiotic use were highest in hematology/oncology wards (61.3%; 95% CI: 56.2-66.4%) and pediatric intensive care units (55.8%; 95% CI: 50.3-61.3%).

CONCLUSIONS: An Antibiotic Resistance and Prescribing in European Children standardized web-based method for a 1-day PPS was successfully developed and conducted in 73 hospitals worldwide. It offers a simple, feasible and sustainable way of data collection that can be used globally.

Motivação no trabalho voluntário: expectativas e motivos na Pastoral da Criança

The present study has proposed a structural model to identify the reasons why individuals become voluntary, keep and exit this type of work. The empirical space was the Pastoral da Criança - social action agency of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) - community-based institution that has its work based on solidarity and the sharing of knowledge. The theoretical framework has the context in which are volunteering studies in Brazilian and world level. Then discuss the various concepts of volunteering and presented the theoretical models of volunteer motivation. Studies of Mostyn (1983) and studies conducted by the BEPEGE-Base for Studies and Research in Management Policies and Strategies - in their line of research GERQUAL - Human Resource Management and Organizational Quality - of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte as Carvalho e Souza(2006), Souza, Medeiros e Fernandes (2006), Souza et al (2009, 2010), Cavalcante et al (2011a, 2011b, 2011c, 2011d) were the main theoretical references for the construction of the model that was tested. Data collection was done through a survey with 71 indicators, in 2 visits to cities from the Diocese of Pesqueira, Pernambuco. The first data collection occurred in the period between May 30 and June 3, 2011, in Buique/PE and the second collection happened in Pesqueira/PE, in St. Joseph Seminary, in the period between July 6-8, 2011. 720 questionnaires were collected. The sample was divided into two parts. Exploratory Factor Analysis was applied in first part and Confirmatory Factor Analysis - structural equation modeling - in the second half. The examination of the results achieved by the expectations, reasons for entry, reasons for staying and exit reasons showed that all hypotheses were accepted. So the motivation of voluntary Pastoral da Criança can be explained by a set of interactions between these five constructs: Altruistic, Affectionate, Amiable, Adjusted and Astute

O afecto na adaptação dos estudantes do primeiro ano do Ensino Superior e seus correlatos

A entrada e a adaptação ao Ensino Superior consistem num período muito emocional, causador de manifestações positivas, bem como de expressões negativas, como sejam a ansiedade e o stresse. Neste sentido, perspectiva-se que quanto mais os estudantes do ensino superior se sentem integrados e felizes mais irão evitar e minimizar as consequências associadas a afectos negativos, que podem, em grande parte dos casos, estar na origem ou contribuir para o insucesso académico e até mesmo para o abandono escolar. O presente estudo pretende investigar em que medida as variáveis afecto negativo e afecto positivo estão relacionadas com factores sociodemográficos idade, sexo, curso e saída de casa ou não aquando do ingresso no ensino superior, em estudantes do primeiro ano do ensino superior, assim como explorar a relação entre o afecto (positivo e negativo) e a percepção de saúde da amostra em estudo. Para o efeito foi utilizado o Questionário Sócio–Demográfico do Questionário de Vivências Académicas Reduzido (QVA-r) (Almeida, Soares & Ferreira, 2002), a Escala de Afecto Positivo e Negativo (PANAS), adaptado, por Galinha e Ribeiro (2005), e os itens 1 e 2 do Questionário de Estado de Saúde SF–36 (Ribeiro, 2005). Estes instrumentos foram administrados a uma amostra de 102 estudantes do 1º ano de ensino superior na região Norte de Portugal (26,5% do sexo masculino e 72,5% do sexo feminino). Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que, a amostra em estudo, o sexo e a percepção de saúde dos participantes são factores diferenciadores no que concerne ao afecto (negativo e positivo), sendo que o curso, a saída ou não de casa e a idade não o são. Estes resultados têm implicações ao nível de intervenção no afecto no âmbito da adaptação ao Ensino Superior.

A study of the electrical basis for the inhibition and excitation in autonomically innervated smooth muscle

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the electrical and mechanical responses to inhibitory non-adrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) nerve stimulation in the bovine retractor penis muscle (BRP) and compare them with those to an inhibitory extract made from this muscle. The extract may contain the NANC inhibitory transmitter of the BRP and possibly of other smooth muscles. Because of species differences in the electrical response to NANC nerves in the rat and rabbit anococcygeus the effects of the extract on these tissues was also investigated. Prior to the investigation of the extract, both the excitatory and inhibitory responses to field stimulation in the BRP, and the effects of passive membrane potential displacement were studied using conventional intra- or extracellular (sucrose gap) recording techniques. The majority of cells in the BRP were electrically quiescent independent of the resting tone. The most frequent (in approximately 25% of preparations) form of spontaneous activity, oscillations in membrane potential and tone, may represent a pacemaker activity. The BRP had cable properties; the time constant and space constant indicated a high membrane resistance. In the absence of tone, field stimulation of the BRP evoked excitatory junction potentials (ejps) in every cell impaled and contractions, graded with the strength, frequency and number of pulses; spikes were not observed. Guanethidine (1-3 x 10-5M) abolished the ejps and contractions, confirming their adrenergic origin. Noradrenaline added exogenously depolarised and contracted the muscle. These effects were blocked by the a-adrenoceptor antagonists, phentolamine and prazosin. However, phentolamine (2.5x 10-6M) inhibited the contraction without reducing the ejp significantly. These effects may be independent of adrenoceptor blockade or the ejp may be mediated by a substance other than noradrenaline (e.g. ATP) released from adrenergic nerves. Prazosin (1.4 x lO-6M) failed to block either the ejp or contraction, indicating the possible existence of two types of adrenoceptor in the BRP; one activated by neuronally-released and the other by exogenously-added noradrenaline. ATP, a contaminant in the extract, also depolarised and contracted the BRP. Physostigmine reduced whilst atropine enhanced the ejps and contractions without similarly affecting the response to exogenous noradrenaline. This confirmed the presence of a cholinergic inhibitory innervation acting on the excitatory adrenergic fibres (Klinge and Sjostrand, 1977). TEA (1 x lO-4M) enhanced the ejp and contraction. Higher concentrations (0.5 to 10 x 10-3M) depolarised, increased the tone and evoked electrical and mechanical oscillations but no spikes. The depolarisation and contraction to exogenous noradrenaline were not enhanced, indicating that TEA acts on the adrenergic nerves. Some post-synaptic effect to block K+ channels also seems likely. The relationship between ejp amplitude and membrane potential in the double sucrose gap was linear and indicated a reversal potential more positive than -30mV. Electrotonic pulse amplitude decreased during the ejp, indicating an increased membrane conductance. Ejps and contractions were reduced following the replacement of the NaCl of the Krebs solution with sodium glutamate. This may be due to the effects of glutamate itself (e.g. Ca2+ chelation) rather than reduction in the membrane Cl- gradient. Tone usually developed spontaneously and was accompanied by membrane depolarisation (from -53 to -45mV) which may open voltage-dependent channels, causing Ca2+ entry and/or its release from intracellular binding sites. Field stimulation produced inhibitory potentials (ijps) and relaxations graded with the strength and number of pulses but showing little frequency dependence. Rebound depolarisation and contraction often followed the ijp and relaxation. Tetrodotoxin (3 x IO-6M), but not adrenergic or cholinergic antagonists, abolished the ijp and relaxation, confirming their non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neurogenic nature. The extract, prepared and acid-activated as described by Gillespie, Hunter and Martin (1981), hyperpolarised and relaxed the BRP, as did sodium nitroprusside and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Unlike the activated extract or sodium nitroprusside, desensitisation to ATP occurred rapidly and without any change in the inhibitory electrical or mechanical responses to field stimulation. The ijp and relaxation in the BRP were insensitive to apamin but abolished by oxyhaemoglobin (4-8 x 10-6M), as were the responses to extract and sodium nitroprusside. In TEA (10-2M), field stimulation evoked relaxations with no accompanying electrical change. The ijp may be unconnected with or additional to another mechanism producing relaxation. The relationship between membrane potential and ijp in the BRP was non-linear. Ijp amplitude was initially increased during membrane potential displacement from -45mV to approximately -60mV. Thereafter (-60 to -l03mV) the ijp was reduced. Ijps were abolished at -27 and -103mV; reversal was not observed. The hyperpolarisation to extract was also enhanced during passive displacement of the membrane potential to more negative values (-57mV). Membrane resistance increased during the ijp. The extract produced inconsistent changes in membrane resistance, possibly because of the presence of more than one active component. K+ withdrawal failed to enhance the ijp or hyperpolarisation to extract and 20mM K+ did not abolish the the ijp at membrane potentials exceeding EK (-49mV). Thus, the ijp or hyperpolarisation to extract are unlikely to be mediated by an increased K+ conductance. Reducing the Cl- abolished the hyperpolarisation to field stimulation and extract. This occurred more quickly than the anticipated reduction in the Cl- gradient and may be due to Ca2+ chelation by the anion substitute (glutamate or benzenesulphonate) or blockade of the resting conductance which is normally inactivated by the transmitter. Ouabain (1-5x 10-5M), which reduces both the Na+ and Cl- gradients, abolished the ijp, implicating either of these ions as the ionic species involved. In the rat and rabbit anococcygeus, field stimulation and extract each reduced guanethidine-induced tone. This was unaccompanied in the majority of cells in the rat by any significant electrical response. In the remaining cells, inhibition of the membrane potential oscillations occurred. The rabbit anococcygeus differed in that inhibition of the electrical oscillations was observed in every cell exhibiting this behaviour. However, the majority of cells in the rabbit were electrically quiescent and showed only small hyperpolarisations to field stimulation and no electrical response to extract. Apamin (1 x 10-7M) failed to block the electrical and mechanical response to field stimulation in the rabbit but did inhibit transiently that to extract. The latter effect may be due to the initial excitatory effects of apamin. The similarities between the electrical effects of the extract and those of inhibitory nerve stimulation in the BRP, rat and rabbit anococcygeus muscles are generally consistent with their being mediated by the same active component. Moreover, the ijp in the BRP shows properties which have not been reported in other non-adrenergic noncholinergically innervated smooth muscles.

Motivação no trabalho voluntário: expectativas e motivos na Pastoral da Criança

The present study has proposed a structural model to identify the reasons why individuals become voluntary, keep and exit this type of work. The empirical space was the Pastoral da Criança - social action agency of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) - community-based institution that has its work based on solidarity and the sharing of knowledge. The theoretical framework has the context in which are volunteering studies in Brazilian and world level. Then discuss the various concepts of volunteering and presented the theoretical models of volunteer motivation. Studies of Mostyn (1983) and studies conducted by the BEPEGE-Base for Studies and Research in Management Policies and Strategies - in their line of research GERQUAL - Human Resource Management and Organizational Quality - of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte as Carvalho e Souza(2006), Souza, Medeiros e Fernandes (2006), Souza et al (2009, 2010), Cavalcante et al (2011a, 2011b, 2011c, 2011d) were the main theoretical references for the construction of the model that was tested. Data collection was done through a survey with 71 indicators, in 2 visits to cities from the Diocese of Pesqueira, Pernambuco. The first data collection occurred in the period between May 30 and June 3, 2011, in Buique/PE and the second collection happened in Pesqueira/PE, in St. Joseph Seminary, in the period between July 6-8, 2011. 720 questionnaires were collected. The sample was divided into two parts. Exploratory Factor Analysis was applied in first part and Confirmatory Factor Analysis - structural equation modeling - in the second half. The examination of the results achieved by the expectations, reasons for entry, reasons for staying and exit reasons showed that all hypotheses were accepted. So the motivation of voluntary Pastoral da Criança can be explained by a set of interactions between these five constructs: Altruistic, Affectionate, Amiable, Adjusted and Astute

Création de mutants cdc5 en vue de l’identification des substrats de PLK/Cdc5 lors de la réponse d’adaptation aux dommages à l’ADN.

Les kinases de la famille Polo (PLK) jouent un rôle majeur durant le cycle cellulaire, notamment en promouvant des processus essentiels tels que l’entrée en phase M et la sortie du cycle cellulaire. Elles sont également impliquées dans plusieurs cancers et ont un fort pouvoir tumorigène. Notre laboratoire a récemment montré que Cdc5 (la kinase PLK chez Saccharomyces cerevisiae) est également nécessaire pour l'adaptation aux dommages à l'ADN, et que la cible critique de Cdc5 au cours de ce processus pourrait être une cible peu conventionnelle localisée aux centrosomes de levures. Dans le but d’identifier ce substrat, une analyse intégrale du phosphoprotéome de PLK/Cdc5 par spectrométrie de masse devra être réalisée. Pour ce faire, un allèle CDC5 sensible à la température, c’est-à-dire une version mutante qui devient inactive à température élevée, devra être utilisée. Cet allèle devra être thermosensible à 30°C, afin de s’assurer qu’il sera le seul à être inactivé à cette température et que, par conséquent, seuls les substrats de Cdc5 seront identifiés. À cet effet, nous avons généré deux allèles cdc5 thermosensibles à 30°C : cdc5-17 et cdc5-18, puis analysé leur cycle cellulaire à 32°C. Les résultats de cette analyse ont montré que l’exposition des cellules à 32°C résulte en leur blocage en fin de mitose sous la forme bourgeonnée, témoignant d’un défaut dans la promotion de la sortie de la mitose. Ce défaut est causé par la mutation du gène CDC5 dont la protéine favorise la sortie de la mitose via deux voies : la voie du MEN (Mitotic Exit Network) et la voie du FEAR (Cdc Fourteen Early Anaphase Release). cdc5-17 et cdc5-18 représentent des outils biologiques précieux qui permettront de mieux analyser le phosphoprotéome de PLK/Cdc5 et de mener à l’identification des cibles de Cdc5 lors de la réponse d’adaptation aux dommages à l’ADN. Étant donné que l’adaptation aux dommages à l’ADN causés par des chimiothérapies représente l’un des facteurs permettant la prolifération des tumeurs cancéreuses, cette découverte serait un grand pas dans la lutte contre le cancer.

Prospect theory and the effects of bankruptcy laws on entrepreneurial aspirations

We apply prospect theory to explain how personal and corporate bankruptcy laws affect risk perceptions of entrepreneurs at time of entry and therefore their growth ambitions. Previous theories have reached ambiguous conclusions as to whether countries with more debtor-friendly bankruptcy laws (i.e. laws that are more forgiving towards debtors in bankruptcy proceedings) are likely to have more entrepreneurs, or whether, creditorfriendly regimes have positive effects on new ventures via enhanced incentives for the supply of credit to entrepreneurs. Responding to this ambiguity, we apply prospect theory to propose that entrepreneurs do not attach the same significance to different elements of bankruptcy codes—and to explain which aspects of debtor-friendly bankruptcy laws matter more to entrepreneurs. Based on this, we derive and confirm hypotheses about the impact of aspects of bankruptcy codes on entrepreneurial activity using the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor combined with data on both personal and corporate bankruptcyregulations for 15 developed OECD countries. We use multilevel random coefficient logistic regressions to take account of the hierarchical nature of the data (country and individual levels). Because entrepreneurs and creditors are sensitive to different elements of the codes, there is scope for optimisation of the legal design of bankruptcy law to achieve both an adequate supply of credit and to encourage high-ambition entrepreneurship.

Création de mutants cdc5 en vue de l’identification des substrats de PLK/Cdc5 lors de la réponse d’adaptation aux dommages à l’ADN

Les kinases de la famille Polo (PLK) jouent un rôle majeur durant le cycle cellulaire, notamment en promouvant des processus essentiels tels que l’entrée en phase M et la sortie du cycle cellulaire. Elles sont également impliquées dans plusieurs cancers et ont un fort pouvoir tumorigène. Notre laboratoire a récemment montré que Cdc5 (la kinase PLK chez Saccharomyces cerevisiae) est également nécessaire pour l'adaptation aux dommages à l'ADN, et que la cible critique de Cdc5 au cours de ce processus pourrait être une cible peu conventionnelle localisée aux centrosomes de levures. Dans le but d’identifier ce substrat, une analyse intégrale du phosphoprotéome de PLK/Cdc5 par spectrométrie de masse devra être réalisée. Pour ce faire, un allèle CDC5 sensible à la température, c’est-à-dire une version mutante qui devient inactive à température élevée, devra être utilisée. Cet allèle devra être thermosensible à 30°C, afin de s’assurer qu’il sera le seul à être inactivé à cette température et que, par conséquent, seuls les substrats de Cdc5 seront identifiés. À cet effet, nous avons généré deux allèles cdc5 thermosensibles à 30°C : cdc5-17 et cdc5-18, puis analysé leur cycle cellulaire à 32°C. Les résultats de cette analyse ont montré que l’exposition des cellules à 32°C résulte en leur blocage en fin de mitose sous la forme bourgeonnée, témoignant d’un défaut dans la promotion de la sortie de la mitose. Ce défaut est causé par la mutation du gène CDC5 dont la protéine favorise la sortie de la mitose via deux voies : la voie du MEN (Mitotic Exit Network) et la voie du FEAR (Cdc Fourteen Early Anaphase Release). cdc5-17 et cdc5-18 représentent des outils biologiques précieux qui permettront de mieux analyser le phosphoprotéome de PLK/Cdc5 et de mener à l’identification des cibles de Cdc5 lors de la réponse d’adaptation aux dommages à l’ADN. Étant donné que l’adaptation aux dommages à l’ADN causés par des chimiothérapies représente l’un des facteurs permettant la prolifération des tumeurs cancéreuses, cette découverte serait un grand pas dans la lutte contre le cancer.

Cold acclimation of chill coma mechanisms in the locust CNS

Temperature has profound effects on the neural function and behaviour of insects. When exposed to low temperature, migratory locusts (Locusta migratoria) enter chill coma (neuromuscular paralysis) and can resume normal body functions after returning to normal temperature. Our laboratory has studied phenomena underlying environmental stress-induced comas in locusts and found that they are associated with a sudden loss of K+ homeostasis and also a temporary electrical silence in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the mechanisms underlying chill coma entry and recovery are not well understood, particularly the role of the CNS has not been determined. Here, I investigated neural function during chill coma in the locust by measuring electrical activity in the CNS. As pre-exposure to moderately low temperatures, either chronically (cold acclimation) or acutely (rapid cold hardening; RCH), has been found to improve the insect’s cold tolerance, I also determined cold acclimation and RCH protocols that will improve the locust's cold tolerance and whether these protocols affect neural shutdown during chill coma in the locust. With an implanted thermocouple in the thorax, I determined the temperature associated with a loss of responsiveness (CTmin) in intact male adult locusts. In parallel experiments, I recorded field potential (FP) in the metathoracic ganglion (MTG) in semi-intact preparations to determine the temperature that would induce neural shutdown. I found that acclimation at 10 ˚C and RCH at 4 ˚C reduced chill coma recovery time (CCRT) in intact animal preparations and RCH at 4 ˚C for 4 hours reduced the temperature at neural shutdown in semi-intact preparations. These results suggest that pre-exposure to cold can improve the locust's resistance to chill coma and support the notion that the CNS has a role in determining entry into and exit from chill coma in locusts.

Serverless middlewares to integrate heterogeneous and distributed services in cloud continuum environments

The application of modern ICT technologies is radically changing many fields pushing toward more open and dynamic value chains fostering the cooperation and integration of many connected partners, sensors, and devices. As a valuable example, the emerging Smart Tourism field derived from the application of ICT to Tourism so to create richer and more integrated experiences, making them more accessible and sustainable. From a technological viewpoint, a recurring challenge in these decentralized environments is the integration of heterogeneous services and data spanning multiple administrative domains, each possibly applying different security/privacy policies, device and process control mechanisms, service access, and provisioning schemes, etc. The distribution and heterogeneity of those sources exacerbate the complexity in the development of integrating solutions with consequent high effort and costs for partners seeking them. Taking a step towards addressing these issues, we propose APERTO, a decentralized and distributed architecture that aims at facilitating the blending of data and services. At its core, APERTO relies on APERTO FaaS, a Serverless platform allowing fast prototyping of the business logic, lowering the barrier of entry and development costs to newcomers, (zero) fine-grained scaling of resources servicing end-users, and reduced management overhead. APERTO FaaS infrastructure is based on asynchronous and transparent communications between the components of the architecture, allowing the development of optimized solutions that exploit the peculiarities of distributed and heterogeneous environments. In particular, APERTO addresses the provisioning of scalable and cost-efficient mechanisms targeting: i) function composition allowing the definition of complex workloads from simple, ready-to-use functions, enabling smarter management of complex tasks and improved multiplexing capabilities; ii) the creation of end-to-end differentiated QoS slices minimizing interfaces among application/service running on a shared infrastructure; i) an abstraction providing uniform and optimized access to heterogeneous data sources, iv) a decentralized approach for the verification of access rights to resources.

OPTIMIZATION OF THE TREATMENT PROCESS FOR RESIDUAL WATER FROM A BEER INDUSTRY

The optimization of the treatment process for residual waters from a brewery operating under the modality of an anaerobic reactor and activated sludge combination was studied in two phases. In the first stage, lasting for six months, the characteristics and parameters of the plant operation were analyzed, wherein a diversion rate of more than 50% to aerobic treatment, the use of two aeration tanks and a high sludge production prevailed. The second stage comprised four months during which the system worked under the proposed operational model, with the aim of improving the treatment: reduction of the diversion rate to 30% and use of only one aeration tank At each stage, TSS, VSS and COD were measured at the entrance and exit of the anaerobic reactor mid the aeration tanks. The results were compared with the corresponding design specifications and the needed conditions were applied to reduce the diversion rate towards the aerobic process through monitoring the volume and concentration of the affluent, while applying the strategic changes in reactor parameters needed to increase its efficiency. A diversion reduction from 53 to 34% was achieved, reducing the sludge discharge generated in the aerobic system from 3670mg TSS/l. with two aeration tanks down to 2947mf TSS/l using one tank keeping the same relation VSS:TSS (0.55) and an efficiency of total removal of 98% in terms of COD.

gamma-Radiation induces apoptosis via sarcoplasmatic reticulum in guinea pig ileum smooth muscle cells

We investigated the effects of gamma-radiation on cells isolated from the longitudinal smooth muscle layer of the guinea pig ileum, a relatively radioresistant tissue. Single doses (up to 50 Gy) reduced the amount of sarcoplasmatic reticulum and condensed the myofibrils, as shown by electron microscopy 3 days post-irradiation. After that, contractility of smooth muscle strips was reduced. Ca(2+) handling was altered after irradiation, as shown in fura-2 loaded cells, with elevated basal intracellular Ca(2+), reduced amount of intrareticular Ca(2+), and reduced capacitive Ca(2+) entry. Radiation also induced apoptosis, judged from flow cytometry of cells loaded with proprium iodide. Electron microscopy showed that radiation caused condensation of chromatin in dense masses around the nuclear envelope, the presence of apoptotic bodies, fragmentation of the nucleus, detachment of cells from their neighbors, and reductions in cell volume. Radiation also caused activation of caspase 12. Apoptosis was reduced by the administration of the caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl-ketone methyl ester (Z-VAD-FIVIK) during the 3 day period after irradiation, and by the chelator of intracellular Ca(2+), 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N`,N`-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), from 1 h before until 2 h after irradiation. BAPTA also reduced the effects of radiation on contractility, basal intracellular Ca(2+), amount of intrareticular Ca(2+), capacitative Ca(2+) entry, and apoptosis. In conclusion, the effects of gamma radiation on contractility, Ca(2+) handling, and apoptosis appear due to a toxic action of intracellular Ca(2+). Ca(2+)-induced damage to the sarcoplasmatic reticulum seems a key event in impaired Ca(2+) handling and apoptosis induced by gamma-radiation. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Auditoria energética à indústria têxtil do Ave

A Indústria Têxtil do Ave S.A. (ITA) dedica-se, desde 1948, à produção de componentes têxteis para pneus em forma de fio torcido (corda) e tela. Estes componentes são quimicamente activados e impregnados em estufas, possibilitando assim a posterior adesão ao pneu. A máquina de impregnar corda Single End é composta pelos grupos de estiragem, por um recipiente contendo a solução química e por 4 estufas em série. A máquina de impregnar tela Zell é composta pelos grupos de estiragem, pelos acumuladores de saída e entrada, pelos recipientes com as soluções químicas e por um grupo de 7 estufas em série. O aquecimento das estufas é feito através da queima de gás natural. O presente trabalho teve como objectivo a realização de uma auditoria energética à ITA com um especial destaque às máquinas de impregnar corda (Single End) e tela (Zell). As correntes de entrada que contribuem para a potência térmica de impregnação são a combustão do gás natural, o ar de combustão, o ar fresco, o artigo em verde e as soluções químicas. As correntes de saída correspondem aos gases de combustão e exaustão, ao artigo impregnado e às perdas térmicas. A auditoria à máquina Single End mostrou que a potência térmica de impregnação é de 413,1 kW. Dessa potência térmica, 77,2% correspondem à combustão do gás natural, 6,7% ao ar de combustão, 15% ao ar fresco, 0,7% às cordas em verde e 0,4% à solução química. Da potência térmica de saída, 88,4% correspondem aos gases de combustão e exaustão, 3,2% às cordas impregnadas e 8,4% às perdas térmicas. Da auditoria à máquina Zell observou-se que a potência térmica de impregnação é de 5630,7 kW. Dessa potência, 73,3% corresponde à combustão do gás natural, 1,6% ao ar de combustão, 24,5% ao ar fresco, 0,3% à tela em verde e 0,3% às soluções químicas. Da potência térmica de saída, 65,2% correspondem aos gases de combustão e exaustão, 3,1% à tela impregnada e 31,7% às perdas térmicas. Foram sugeridas como medidas de optimização a redução dos caudais de exaustão das estufas e o aumento de temperatura do ar fresco. O aumento da temperatura do ar fresco da máquina de impregnar Single End para 50 ºC, usando ar quente dos torcedores, leva a uma poupança de 0,22 €/h, com um período de retorno do investimento de 13 anos e 4 meses enquanto o aumento para 120 ºC, usando o calor dos gases de combustão e exaustão, reduz os custos em 0,88 €/h, sendo o período de retorno para esse investimento de 2 anos e 6 meses. Na máquina de impregnar Zell, uma redução de 15% no caudal de exaustão numa das estufas leva a ganhos de 3,43 €/h. O aumento de temperatura do ar fresco para 45 ºC, usando o calor de gases de combustão e exaustão, leva a uma poupança de 9,93 €/h sendo o período de retorno para cada uma das duas sugestões de investimento de 5 meses e 9 meses.