Nanoparticles based Permeable Reactive Barriers as an Eco-efficient Technology for nitrate remediation in soil and groundwater

The need to increase agricultural yield led, among others, to an increase in the consumption of nitrogen based fertilizers. As a consequence, there are excessive concentrations of nitrates, the most abundant of the reactive nitrogen (Nr) species, in several areas of the world. The demographic changes and projected population growth for the next decades, and the economic shifts which are already shaping the near future are powerful drivers for a further intensification in the use of fertilizers, with a predicted increase of the nitrogen loads in soils. Nitrate easily diffuses in the subsurface environments, portraying high mobility in soils. Moreover, the presence of high nitrate loads in water has the potential to cause an array of health dysfunctions, such as methemoglobinemia and several cancers. Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB) placed strategically relatively to the nitrate source constitute an effective technology to tackle nitrate pollution. Ergo, PRB avoid various adverse impacts resulting from the displacement of reactive nitrogen downstream along water bodies. A four stages literature review was carried out in 34 databases. Initially, a set of pertinent key words were identified to perform the initial databases searches. Then, the synonyms of those initial key words were used to carry out a second set of databases searches. The third stage comprised the identification of other additional relevant terms from the research papers identified in the previous two stages. Again, databases searches were performed with this third set of key words. The final step consisted of the identification of relevant papers from the bibliography of the relevant papers identified in the previous three stages of the literature review process. The set of papers identified as relevant for in-depth analysis were assessed considering a set of relevant characterization variables.

ECO: argamassas de cal hidráulica para reabilitação de edifícios

Dissertação de Natureza Científica para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil na Área de Especialização de Edificações

An adaptive IoT management infrastructure for eco transport networks

The complexity associated with fast growing of B2B and the lack of a (complete) suite of open standards makes difficulty to maintain the underlying collaborative processes. Aligned to this challenge, this paper aims to be a contribution to an open architecture of logistics and transport processes management system. A model of an open integrated system is being defined as an open computational responsibility from the embedded systems (on-board) as well as a reference implementation (prototype) of a host system to validate the proposed open interfaces. Embedded subsystem can, natively, be prepared to cooperate with other on-board units and with IT-systems in an infrastructure commonly referred to as a center information system or back-office. In interaction with a central system the proposal is to adopt an open framework for cooperation where the embedded unit or the unit placed somewhere (land/sea) interacts in response to a set of implemented capabilities.

Situação atual do conhecimento eco-epidemiológico sobre arbovírus patogênicos para o homem na região da Mata Atlântica do Estado de São Paulo

O autor analisa as informações eco-epidemiológicas disponíveis sobre arbovírus patogênicos para o homem na região da Mata Atlântica do Estado de São Paulo, propondo, a partir das mesmas, os presumíveis ciclos de transmissão desses agentes.

Application of the EcoBlock method to eco-design - electric hand dryers versus paper towels

Sustainable Construction, Materials and Practice, p. 426-432

Prevalência de Doença Carotídea na Patologia Cérebro-Vascular Isquémica. O Papel do Eco-Doppler

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic carotid disease represents approximately 20% of the causes of ischemic stroke. Effective treatment options, such as endovascular or surgical revascularization procedures, are available. Doppler Ultrasound (DUS) is a non-invasive, inexpensive, routine exam used to evaluate the presence of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. We retrospectively analysed the prevalence of severe atherosclerotic carotid disease in a population of patients with acute ischemic stroke/transitory ischemic attacks (TIAs), and the role of DUS in the detection of ICA stenosis and treatment decisions in these patients. METHODS: A total of 318 patients with ischemic stroke or TIAs was admitted to our stroke unit, and 260 patients were studied by DUS. ICA stenosis was evaluated by DUS according to peak systolic velocity. All DUS exams were performed by the same operator. ICA stenosis was further assessed in 43 patients by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) using NASCET criteria. RESULTS: Of the total 318 patients, 260 (82%) had DUS evaluation. Of the total 520 ICAs studied by DUS, degrees of ICA stenosis were: 0-29% n= 438 (84%); 30-49% n= 8 (2%); 50-69% n= 27 (5%); 70-89% n= 15 (3%); 90-99% n= 20 (4%); oclusão n= 14 (2%). Of the total 260 patients studied, 43 (16.5%) underwent DSA. Sensibility and specificity of DUS in the diagnosis of carotid stenosis over 70% were, respectively, 91% e 84%. Of the total 31 patients with significant carotid stenosis (70-99%), 23 (74%) underwent subsequent carotid revascularization procedures. DISCUSSION: DUS is an important screening test in our stroke unit, justifying its use as a routine exam for all patients with ischemic stroke/TIAs. Moreover, our results show the relevance of severe carotid disease in a population with acute ischemic stroke/TIAs (16.5%), with a total of 9% of patients being submitted to carotid revascularization procedures.

Eco-epidemiological aspects of Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma rangeli and their vector (Rhodnius pallescens) in Panama

The eco-epidemiology of T. cruzi infection was investigated in the Eastern border of the Panama Canal in Central Panama. Between 1999 and 2000, 1110 triatomines were collected: 1050 triatomines (94.6%) from palm trees, 27 (2.4%) from periurban habitats and 33 (3.0%) inside houses. All specimens were identified as R. pallescens. There was no evidence of vector domiciliation. Salivary glands from 380 R. pallescens revealed a trypanosome natural infection rate of 7.6%, while rectal ampoule content from 373 triatomines was 45%. Isoenzyme profiles on isolated trypanosomes demonstrated that 85.4% (n = 88) were T. cruzi and 14.6% (n = 15) were T. rangeli. Blood meal analysis from 829 R. pallescens demonstrated a zoophilic vector behavior, with opossums as the preferential blood source. Seroprevalence in human samples from both study sites was less than 2%. Our results demonstrate that T. cruzi survives in the area in balanced association with R. pallescens, and with several different species of mammals in their natural niches. However, the area is an imminent risk of infection for its population, consequently it is important to implement a community educational program regarding disease knowledge and control measures.

Construção sustentável - materiais eco-eficientes para a melhoria do desempenho de edifícios

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil - Perfil de Construção

O Eco-Doppler na Dissecção da Aorta Abdominal

Apresenta-se um caso clínico de dissecção da aorta abdominal - tipo B - diagnosticada por eco-Doppler e tomografia axial computorizada (TC). Discute-se o interesse do eco-Doppler no diagnóstico de dissecção da aorta abdominal e na avaliação do envolvimento arterial visceral. É ainda um método útil no follow-up dos doentes com terapêutica conservadora.

Estudo Comparativo entre Dois Tipos de Eco-Contrastes: Echovist® e Levovist®, Avaliação da Permeabilidade Tubária em Infertilidade Feminina

Na propedêutica inicial do casal infértil, a realização da Sonossalpingografia (SoSG) contrastada através de dois tipos de ecocontrastes, Echovist® e Levovist®, durante a realização da ultra-sonografia ginecológica convencional pode, em casos seleccionados, substituir como exame de “screening” da permeabilidade tubária a Histerossalpingografia (HSG) e a Laparoscopia com cromotubação (LPC). Objectivos: Comparar os resultados da permeabilidade tubária através da SoSG contrastada com Echovist® ou com Levovist® e a HSG e determinar a sua acuidade em relação a LPC considerada “gold-standard”. Pacientes e métodos: Foram avaliadas prospectivamente 90 pacientes inférteis submetidas a SoSG em que se utilizou o contraste ecogénico Echovist® e 28 pacientes em que se utilizou o eco-realçador Levovist®. Para a HSG utilizou-se, em todas as pacientes, contraste iodado e hidrossolúvel Telebrix®. A observação da permeabilidade tubária teve sua avaliação final e sistemática pela LPC. Resultados: No estudo das trompas pelo Echovist® observamos permeabilidade em 67 pacientes (74,4%) e obstruções bilaterais em 23 das pacientes (25,6%) e pelo Levovist®, respectivamente, 22 (78,6%) e 6 pacientes (21,4%). Na comparação da avaliação da permeabilidade tubária entre a SoSG com Echovist® e LPC encontramos: especificidade € 91,3%, sensibilidade (S) 100%, falsos positivos (FP) 8,7%, falsos negativos (FN) 0%, valor preditivo positivo (VPP) 97,1%, valor preditivo negativo (VPN) 100% e Kappa de 96,5%, e entre a HSG e LPC, neste grupo Echovist® foram: E 100%, S 91,04%, FP 0%, FN 8,96%, VPP 100%, VPN 79,31% e Kappa de 88,6%. Na comparação da avaliação da permeabilidade tubária entre a SoSG com Levovist® e LPC encontramos: E 100%, S 100%, FP 0%, FN 0%, VPP 100%, VPN 100% e Kappa de 100%, e entre a HSG e LPC, no grupo Levovist® foram: E 100%, S 86,36%, FP 0%, FN 13,64%, VPP 100%, VPN 66,67% e Kappa de 82,2%. Conclusões: As Sonossalpingografias (SoSG) contrastadas utilizando-se como eco-realçadores o Echovist® ou o Levovist® podem ser consideradas exames complementares equivalentes na rotina da avaliação inicial do factor tubário por apresentarem, além do mesmo composto químico activo, alta sensibilidade, especificidade e concordância, ambos com acuidade superior à HSG quando comparados com a LPC.

Eco-bairros: análise de casos internacionais e recomendações para o contexto nacional

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia do Ambiente, Perfil de Ordenamento do Território e Impactes Ambientais

Medidas de gestão de eficiência hídrica em empreendimentos turísticos - Caso de estudo Zmar Eco-Campo Resort & Spa

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia do Ambiente – Perfil Engenharia Sanitária

Eco-wall modular solutions for buildings

This paper discusses the development of modular solutions for eco low-cost houses based on a pre-fabricated modular wall system environmentally sustainable, socioeconomically competitive and geared towards developing African nations with a housing deficit. The key point to the research of a modular wall solution is a structural layer complemented with local and materials made by non-specialized workforce. This wall also meets also hydrothermal acoustic and mechanical properties. Thus,the solution also offers good safety and interior comfort conditions to its users while maintaining the flexibility to expand the size of the house. Parameters as dimensions, materials and constructive processes of the existing housing stock were studied. Features such as the family size, typology, different uses, common materials, existing regulations, minimal living conditions, safety and comfort have also been considered to achieve the most efficient solution.