Gibbs Energy of Mixing Function: Topological Analysis in Azeotropic Systems

ESAT 2014. 27th European Symposium on Applied Thermodynamics, Eindhoven University of Technology, July 6-9, 2014.

Radon gas. Environmental concentration measures and remediation actions in exposed buildings

The main contribution to the radiological impact from natural radiation received by general population is due to the emission of radon (222Rn). The objective of this project is the study of radon gas as a radioactive element in our buildings (existing and future constructions) to avoid its influence in interior rooms. The proposed methodology reflects different aspects of natural radioactivity in buildings, their sources, their control criteria and regulatory framework; aspects related to the presence of radon in our constructions, entryways, measurement methodology for indoor environmental concentration are studied; other protection solutions and remediation measures in both existing buildings and new construction projects are analyzed. In conclusion, the paper presents previous evaluation tools, the analysis of existing concentration and the choice of the most appropriate mitigation / remediation measures depending on each case, through the establishment of different architectural proposals to plan actions against radon where necessary.

Seasonality of thyroid function

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

Lymphatic vessel function in atherosclerosis

L'athérosclérose est une maladie inflammatoire chronique caractérisée par l'accumulation de cholestérol dans la paroi artérielle et associée à une réponse immunitaire anormale dans laquelle les macrophages jouent un rôle important. Récemment, il a été démontré que les vaisseaux lymphatiques jouent un rôle primordial dans le transport inverse du cholestérol (Martel et al. JCI 2013). L’objectif global de mon stage de maîtrise a été de mieux caractériser la dysfonction lymphatique associée à l’athérosclérose, en étudiant de plus près l’origine physiologique et temporelle de ce mauvais fonctionnement. Notre approche a été d’étudier, depuis l’initiation de l’athérosclérose jusqu’à la progression d’une lésion athérosclérotique tardive, la physiologie des deux constituants principaux qui forment les vaisseaux lymphatiques : les capillaires et collecteurs lymphatiques. En utilisant comme modèle principal des souris Ldlr-/-; hApoB100+/+, nous avons pu démontrer que la dysfonction lymphatique est présente avant même l’apparition de l’athérosclérose, et que cette dysfonction est principalement associée avec un défaut au niveau des vaisseaux collecteurs, limitant ainsi le transport de la lymphe des tissus périphériques vers le sang. De plus, nous avons démontré pour la première fois l’expression du récepteur au LDL par les cellules endothéliales lymphatiques. Nos travaux subséquents démontrent que ce défaut de propulsion de la lymphe pourrait être attribuable à l’absence du récepteur au LDL, et que la dysfonction lymphatique observée précocement dans l’athérosclérose peut être limitée par des injections systémiques de VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) –C. Ces résultats suggèrent que la caractérisation fonctionnelle de la capacité de pompage des vaisseaux collecteurs serait une condition préalable à la compréhension de l'interaction entre la fonction du système lymphatique et la progression de l'athérosclérose. Ultimement, nos travaux nous ont amené à considérer de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques potentielles dans la prévention et le traitement de l’athérosclérose.

Forms and role of the cluster initiatives in fostering innovation in post-industrial regions: A comparative study of environmental clusters in British West Midlands and Spanish Basque country. ACES Working Paper No. 8, August 2008

The objective of this research is to present cluster initiative approaches in post industrial regions characterized by similar economic history and challenges, with additional emphasis on their role in promoting innovation among regional businesses. The research is based on a comparison study of two environmental industry clusters: Environmental Technology Cluster (ET) from British West Midlands and ACLIMA from Spanish Basque Country. The study analyzes clusters' design and their role in fostering innovation based on environment industry clusters. In both regions environmental industry clusters represent strong potential for further dynamic development with grow opportunities driven by legislation introduced at EU, national or regional levels. The paper compares clusters' heterogeneity, goals and priorities, financing schemes, management structure, types of projects, character of private-public partnerships, challenges, as well as clusters' collaboration at regional/national/international levels. Also focus is given on how the clusters enhance innovation and what types of projects are executed by the regions in this field.

Interplay between cardiac function and heart development

Mechanotransduction refers to the conversion of mechanical forces into biochemical or electrical signals that initiate structural and functional remodeling in cells and tissues. The heart is a kinetic organ whose form changes considerably during development and disease. This requires cardiomyocytes to be mechanically durable and able to mount coordinated responses to a variety of environmental signals on different time scales, including cardiac pressure loading and electrical and hemodynamic forces. During physiological growth, myocytes, endocardial and epicardial cells have to adaptively remodel to these mechanical forces. Here we review some of the recent advances in the understanding of how mechanical forces influence cardiac development, with a focus on fluid flow forces. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cardiomyocyte Biology: Integration of Develomental and Environmental Cues in the Heart edited by Marcus Schaub and Hughes Abriel.

Ecosystem structure, function, and composition in rangelands are negatively affected by livestock grazing

Reports of positive or neutral effects of grazing on plant species richness have prompted calls for livestock grazing to be used as a tool for managing land for conservation. Grazing effects, however, are likely to vary among different response variables, types, and intensity of grazing, and across abiotic conditions. We aimed to examine how grazing affects ecosystem structure, function, and composition. We compiled a database of 7615 records reporting an effect of grazing by sheep and cattle on 278 biotic and abiotic response variables for published studies across Australia. Using these data, we derived three ecosystem measures based on structure, function, and composition, which were compared against six contrasts of grazing pressure, ranging from low to heavy, two different herbivores (sheep, cattle), and across three different climatic zones. Grazing reduced structure (by 35%), function (24%), and composition (10%). Structure and function (but not composition) declined more when grazed by sheep and cattle together than sheep alone. Grazing reduced plant biomass (40%), animal richness (15%), and plant and animal abundance, and plant and litter cover (25%), but had no effect on plant richness nor soil function. The negative effects of grazing on plant biomass, plant cover, and soil function were more pronounced in drier environments. Grazing effects on plant and animal richness and composition were constant, or even declined, with increasing aridity. Our study represents a comprehensive continental assessment of the implications of grazing for managing Australian rangelands. Grazing effects were largely negative, even at very low levels of grazing. Overall, our results suggest that livestock grazing in Australia is unlikely to produce positive outcomes for ecosystem structure, function, and composition or even as a blanket conservation tool unless reduction in specific response variables is an explicit management objective.

Estimating costs for water treatment as a function of size and treatment efficiency /

Mode of access: Internet.

Air monitor siting by objective /

Issued June 1978.

Visual function studies during exposure to a mixture of diabasic esters (DBE) in Long-Evans rats : cooperative research and development agreement with E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company.

Mode of access: Internet.

Analysis of an Intervention to Reduce Truck Drivers' Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Perceptual and instrumental analysis of laryngeal function after traumatic brain injury in childhood

Objective: To investigate laryngeal function and phonatory disturbance in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI), using both perceptual and instrumental techniques. Design and participants: The performance of 16 individuals with moderate to severe TBI acquired in childhood and 16 nonneurologicatly impaired control subjects was compared on a battery of perceptual (Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment, speech sample analysis) and instrumental (Aerophone II, laryngograph) assessments. Results and conclusions: As a group, the children with TBI demonstrated normal, or only minimally impaired laryngeal function, when compared with the control group, which contrasts with the significant laryngeal impairment noted in adults after TBI. Several reasons for the different findings in relation to laryngeal function in adults and children after TBI are postulated: (1) differing types of injury usually incurred by adults and children may result in a relatively decreased degree of neurologic impairment in these children, (2) differences in recovery potential between adults and children, and (3) the pediatric larynx is still developing, hence it may be better able to compensate for any impairment incurred.

Cardiac function in fetuses of poorly-controlled pre-gestational diabetic pregnancies - a pilot study

Objective: Cardiac impairment is frequently found in babies of diabetic mothers. It is still controversial whether this is due to poor glucose control. The aim of this study is to compare the cardiac function in fetuses of well- and poorly-controlled pre-gestational diabetic pregnancy in third trimester. Methods:Women with type 1 pre-gestational diabetes were enrolled at 30-32 weeks. Cardiac size and interventricular septal wall thickness were measured by M-mode at end-diastolic phase. The right and left ventricular ejection fractions were calculated. At the mitral and tricuspid valves inflow, the ratio between early ventricular filling and active atrial filling (E/A) at both atrioventricular valves were measured by Doppler echocardiography. Peak velocities of ascending aorta and pulmonary artery were assessed. The angle of isonation was kept at 6.5%) were compared with those with satisfactorily controlled diabetes (HbA1c less than or equal to 6.5%). Results: A total of 21 women with pre-gestational diabetes were recruited for this study. Eight women with well-controlled diabetes were compared with 9 women who had poorly-controlled diabetes. HbA1c in the poorly-controlled group was 7.3% and in the well-controlled group it was 5.4% (p < 0.001). There was no difference between the two groups in cardiac size, interventricular septal wall thickness, ejection fraction, aorta and pulmonary artery peak flow velocities. The right atrioventricular E/A ratio was significantly lower among the poorly-controlled diabetic pregnancies (0.71 vs. 0.54; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Fetuses of poorly-controlled diabetic mothers had a lower right atrioventricular E/A ratio. This may be due to metabolic acidosis, non-hypertrophic cardiac dysfunction or fetal polycythemia. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Neurally-mediated increase in calcineurin activity regulates cardiac contractile function in absence of hypertrophy

Objective: The calcineurin pathway has been involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, yet it remains unknown whether calcineurin activity can be regulated in myocardium independently from hypertrophy and cardiac load. Methods: To test that hypothesis, we measured calcineurin activity in a rat model of infrarenal aortic constriction (IR), which affects neurohormonal pathways without increasing cardiac afterload. Results: In this model, there was no change in arterial pressure over the 4-week experimental period, and the left ventricle/body weight ratio did not increase. At 2 weeks after IR, calcineurin activity was increased 1.8-fold (P

The market valuation of environmental capital expenditures by pulp and paper companies

The objective of this study is to examine the market valuation of environmental capital expenditure investment related to pollution abatement in the pulp and paper industry. The total environmental capital expenditure of $8.7 billion by our sample firms during 1989-2000 supports the focus on this industry. In order to be capitalized, an asset should be associated with future economic benefits. The existing environmental literature suggests that investors condition their evaluation of the future economic benefits arising from environmental capital expenditure on an assessment of the firms' environmental performance. This literature predicts the emergence of two environmental stereotypes: low-polluting firms that overcomply with existing environmental regulations, and high-polluting firms that just meet minimal environmental requirements. Our valuation evidence indicates that there are incremental economic benefits associated with environmental capital expenditure investment by low-polluting firms but not high-polluting firms. We also find that investors use environmental performance information to assess unbooked environmental liabilities, which we interpret to represent the future abatement spending obligations of high-polluting firms in the pulp and paper industry. We estimate average unbooked liabilities of $560 million for high-polluting firms, or 16.6 percent of market capitalization.