Interrelationship between partition behavior of organic compounds and proteins in aqueous dextran-Polyethylene glycol and Polyethylene glycol-sodium sulfate two-phase systems

Partition behavior of adenosine and guanine mononucleotides was examined in aqueous dextran-polyethylene glycol (PEG) and PEG-sodium sulfate two-phase systems. The partition coefficients for each series of mononucleotides were analyzed as a functions of the number of phosphate groups and found to be dependent on the nature of nucleic base and on the type of \ATPS\ utilized. It was concluded that an average contribution of a phosphate group into logarithm of partition coefficient of a mononucleotide cannot be used to estimate the difference between the electrostatic properties of the coexisting phases of ATPS. The data obtained in this study were considered together with those for other organic compounds and proteins reported previously, and the linear interrelationship between logarithms of partition coefficients in dextran-PEG, PEG-Na2SO4 and PEG-Na2SO4-0.215 M NaCl (all in 0.01 M Na- or K/Na-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 or 6.8) was established. Similar relationship was found for the previously reported data for proteins in Dex-PEG, PEG-600-Na2SO4, and PEG-8000-Na2SO4 ATPS. It is suggested that the linear relationships of the kind established in \ATPS\ may be observed for biological properties of compounds as well.

Metodologias para a qualificação de águas minerais naturais e águas de nascente

Dissertação de mestrado em Ordenamento e Valorização de Recursos Geológicos

The effects of sodium hypochlorite against selected drinking water-isolated bacteria in planktonic and sessile states

Chlorine is the most commonly used agent for general disinfection, particularly for microbial growth control in drinking water distribution systems. The goals of this study were to understand the effects of chlorine, as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), on bacterial membrane physicochemical properties (surface charge, surface tension and hydrophobicity) and on motility of two emerging pathogens isolated from drinking water, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The effects of NaOCl on the control of single and dual-species monolayer adhered bacteria (2 h incubation) and biofilms (24 h incubation) was also assessed. NaOCl caused significant changes on the surface hydrophobicity and motility of A. calcoaceticus, but not of S. maltophilia. Planktonic and sessile S. maltophilia were significantly more resistant to NaOCl than A. calcoaceticus. Monolayer adhered co-cultures of A. calcoaceticus-S. maltophilia were more resilient than the single species. Oppositely, dual species biofilms were more susceptible to NaOCl than their single species counterparts. In general, biofilm removal and killing demonstrated to be distinct phenomena: total bacterial viability reduction was achieved even if NaOCl at the higher concentrations had a reduced removal efficacy, allowing biofilm reseed. In conclusion, understanding the antimicrobial susceptibility of microorganisms to NaOCl can contribute to the design of effective biofilm control strategies targeting key microorganisms, such as S. maltophilia, and guarantying safe and high-quality drinking water. Moreover, the results reinforce that biofilms should be regarded as chronic contaminants of drinking water distribution systems and accurate methods are needed to quantify their presence as well as strategies complementary/alternative to NaOCl are required to effectively control the microbiological quality of drinking water.

Regionalización provincial y asociativismo intermunicipal en Córdoba (2005-2007): balance y recomendaciones

A partir de un amplio acuerdo entre los gobiernos locales de todos los partidos políticos y el gobierno provincial, el 22 de diciembre de 2004, la Legislatura de Córdoba sancionó la Ley orgánica de regionalización provincial Nº 9206. Con el desarrollo como fin, la Ley Nº 9206 supuso dos innovaciones trascendentes: por una parte, la creación de 26 nuevas regiones a razón de una por cada departamento existente y, por la otra, el reconocimiento de Comunidades Regionales a integrarse por decisión autónoma de los municipios y comunas (gobernadas por los Intendentes municipales y Presidentes comunales de cada región). En el 2005, se integraron 212 municipios y 152 comunas (es decir el 85% del total provincial) en 23 Comunidades Regionales que, además, acordaron sus prioridades de gestión regional y un Indicador de Desarrollo Regional, mediante la asistencia técnica del Programa de Fortalecimiento Institucional de Municipios (PROFIM) de la UCC. Sobre esas bases, en el 2006; las universidades cordobesas (mediante convenios con el Gobierno provincial) asesoraron a 17 Comunidades Regionales en el diseño de políticas de desarrollo. Esta investigación problematiza la regionalización en Córdoba, analizando críticamente sus avances y demoras, desde su puesta en marcha (diciembre de 2004) hasta el recambio de autoridades (diciembre de 2007) con el propósito de recomendar correcciones.

A nutrient balance model for typical Irish farming systems

The twin objectives of the work described were to construct nutrient balance models (NBM) for a range of Irish animal production systems and to evaluate their potential as a means of estimating the nutrient composition of farm wastes. The NBM has three components. The first is the intake of nutrients in the animal's diet. The second is retention or the nutrients the animal retains for the production of milk, meat or eggs. The third is the balance or the difference between the nutrient intake and retention. Data on the intake levels and their nutrient value for dairy cows, beef cattle, pigs and poultry systems were assembled. Literature searches and interviews with National experts were the primary sources of information. NBMs were then constructed for each production system. Summary tables of the nutrient values for the common diet constituents used in Irish animal production systems, the nutrient composition of the animal products and the NBMs (nutrient intake, retention and excretion) for a range of production systems were assembled. These represent the first comprehensive data set of this type for Irish animal production systems. There was generally good agreement between the derived NBMs values and those published in the literature. The NBMs were validated on a number of farms. Data on animal numbers, fertiliser use, concentrates inputs and production output were recorded on seven farms. Using the data a nutrient input/output balance was constructed for each farm. This was compared with the NBM estimate of the farm nutrient balance. The results showed good agreement between the measured balance and the NBM estimate particularly for the pig and poultry farms. However, the validation emphasised the inherent risks associated with NBMs. The average values used for feed intake and production parameters in the NEMs may result in the under or over estimate of actual nutrient balances on individual farms where these variables are substantially different. On the grassland farms there was a poor correlation between the input/output estimate and the NBM. This possibly results from the omission of the soil's contribution to the nutrient balance. However, the results indicate that the NBMs developed are a potentially useful tool for estimating nutrient balances. They also will serve to highlight the significant fraction of the nutrient inputs into farming systems that are retained on the farm. The potential of the NBM as a means of estimating the nutrient composition of farm wastes was evaluated on two farms. Feed intake and composition, animal production, slurry production was monitored during the indoor winter feeding period. Slurry samples were taken for analysis. The appropriates NBMs were used to estimate the nutrient balance for each farm. The nutrient content of the slurry produced was calculated. There was a good agreement between the NBM estimate and the measured values. This preliminary evaluation suggests that the NBM has a potential to provide the farmer with a simple means of estimating the nutrient value of his slurry.

Adaptação transcultural para o Brasil do Dietary Sodium Restriction Questionnaire (Questionário Restritivo da Dieta de Sódio) (DSRQ)

FUNDAMENTO: A restrição de sódio é uma medida não farmacológica frequentemente orientada aos pacientes com Insuficiência Cardíaca (IC). No entanto, a adesão é de baixa prevalência, ficando entre as causas mais frequentes de descompensação da IC. O Dietary Sodium Restriction Questionnaire (DSRQ) tem como objetivo identificar fatores que afetam a adesão à restrição dietética de sódio para pacientes com IC. No Brasil, não existem instrumentos que avaliem tais fatores. OBJETIVO: Realizar a adaptação transcultural do DSRQ. MÉTODOS: Estudo metodológico que envolveu as seguintes etapas: tradução, síntese, retrotradução, revisão por um comitê de especialistas, pré-teste da versão final e análise de concordância interobservador. No pré-teste foram avaliados os itens e sua compreensão, além da consistência interna pelo coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. O instrumento foi aplicado por dois pesquisadores simultânea e independentemente, sendo utilizado o teste Kappa para análise da concordância. RESULTADOS: Apenas uma questão sofreu alterações semânticas e/ou culturais maiores. No pré-teste, o alfa de Cronbach obtido para o total foi de 0,77, e para as escalas de Atitude, Norma subjetiva e Controle Comportamental obtiveram-se, respectivamente, 0,66, 0,50 e 0,85. Na etapa de concordância, o Kappa foi calculado para 12 das 16 questões, com valores que variaram de 0,62 a 1,00. Nos itens em que o cálculo não foi possível, a incidência de respostas iguais variou de 95% a 97,5%. CONCLUSÃO: A partir da adaptação transcultural do DSRQ foi possível propor uma versão do questionário para posterior avaliação das propriedades psicométricas.

Stabilized finite element methods applied to transient convection-diffusion-reaction and population balance equations

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Mathematik, Diss., 2011

Numerical approximations of population balance equations in particulate systems

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Mathematik, Diss., 2006

Simulations for modelling of population balance equations of particulate processes using the discrete particle model (DPM)

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Mathematik, Diss., 2009

Hypertensives' Knowledge About High-Sodium Foods and Their Behavior

Abstract Background: In Brazil, the prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is approximately 30% of the total population. In 2010, SAH was the cause of death of about 9.4 million people worldwide. A healthy dietary pattern is important to maintain proper blood pressure levels and, consequently, disease control. Objectives: To describe the knowledge and practices of hypertensive patients cared for at a public hypertension outpatient clinic, and its relationship with high-sodium food. Methods: We applied a questionnaire to patients with questions related to sociodemographics, dietary pattern, frequency of ingestion of certain foods, and knowledge about their own disease. Results: We studied 221 patients, 56.1% of whom were women, and 53.8% had only elementary education. Their mean age was 57.7 ±13.5 years, and 75.6% of them reported having high blood pressure, and 11.3%, diabetes mellitus. Regarding dietary pattern, 62% used ready-to-use seasonings, but 94.1% reported not adding extra salt to their ready meals. Regarding patients' knowledge about high-sodium foods and SAH, only 8 patients had 100% of right answers, 37 patients had 73.8%, and 42 patients, 57% of right answers. Conclusion: Knowledge about SAH prevention and high-sodium foods was insufficient. Based on this study's findings, more effective educational strategies targeted at this population can be developed.

Numerical analysis of finite volume schemes for population balance equations

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Mathematik, Diss., 2011

Balance pro-inflammatorischer und trophischer Faktoren bei Patienten mit Multipler Sklerose im akuten Schub

Magdeburg, Univ., Med. Fak., Diss., 2011

Die Entwicklung einer Work-Life-Balance-Konzeption als Element und Instrument des betrieblichen Gesundheitsmanagements : Theoretische Grundlagen und deren Umsetzung in der Praxis unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Projektmanagements

[s.c.]

Population balance modeling of influenza A virus replication in MDCK cells during vaccine production

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, Diss., 2015

La Industrialización en Cataluña: un balance historiográfico

Este trabajo constituye una breve presentación del caso de la industrialización de Cataluña en los siglos XIX y XX y, asimismo, una primera valoración crítica de las aportaciones de las dos últimas décadas al estudio histórico de la industria catalana, a partir de un anterior balance historiográfico realizado por el autor veinte años atrás. Esta revisión no se plantea desde una perspectiva pluridisciplinar, sino a partir de un enfoque especializado de Historia Económica. El hecho industrial ha mantenido una gran influencia durante los dos últimos siglos en todos esos ángulos de la vida social de Cataluña y en muchos más, desde el arte a la literatura o al deporte. La historia contemporánea catalana ha sido modelada en gran parte por la fuerte presencia de la industria. Pero en las secciones que siguen se ensaya, exclusivamente, una medida aproximada de la obra realizada, y de algunas tareas por hacer, con la caja de instrumentos propia de la ciencia económica desde una perspectiva histórica.