Assessing initial embodied energy in building structures using LCA methodology

The considerable amount of energy consumed on Earth is a major cause for not achieving sustainable development. Buildings are responsible for the highest worldwide energy consumption, nearly 40%. Strong efforts have been made in what concerns the reduction of buildings operational energy (heating, hot water, ventilation, electricity), since operational energy is so far the highest energy component in a building life cycle. However, as operational energy is being reduced the embodied energy increases. One of the building elements responsible for higher embodied energy consumption is the building structural system. Therefore, the present work is going to study part of embodied energy (initial embodied energy) in building structures using a life cycle assessment methodology, in order to contribute for a greater understanding of embodied energy in buildings structural systems. Initial embodied energy is estimated for a building structure by varying the span and the structural material type. The results are analysed and compared for different stages, and some conclusions are drawn. At the end of this work it was possible to conclude that the building span does not have considerable influence in embodied energy consumption of building structures. However, the structural material type has influence in the overall energetic performance. In fact, with this research it was possible that building structure that requires more initial embodied energy is the steel structure; then the glued laminated timber structure; and finally the concrete structure.

Investigations on the structural and operational changes of Ring Seine Fishing Systems of Kerala and its Life Cycle Assessment (lCA)

The study covers theFishing capture technology innovation includes the catching of aquatic animal, using any kind of gear techniques, operated from a vessel. Utilization of fishing techniques varies, depending upon the type of fisheries, and can go from a basic and little hook connected to a line to huge and complex mid water trawls or seines operated by large fishing vessels.The size and autonomy of a fishing vessel is largely determined by its ability to handle, process and store fish in good condition on board, and thus these two characteristics have been greatly influenced by the introduction and utilization of ice and refrigeration machinery. Other technological developments especially hydraulic hauling machinery, fish finding electronics and synthetic twines have also had a major impact on the efficiency and profitability of fishing vessels.A wide variety of fishing gears and practices ranging from small-scale artisanal to advanced mechanised systems are used for fish capture in Kerala. Most important among these fishing gears are trawls, seines, lines, gillnets and entangling nets and traps The modern sector was introduced in 1953 at Neendakara, Shakthikulangara region under the initiative of Indo-Norwegian project (INP). The novel facilities introduced in fishing industry by Indo- Norwegian project accordingly are mechanically operated new boats with new fishing nets. Soon after mechanization, motorization programme gained momentum in Kerala especially in Alleppey, Ernakulam and Kollam districts.

Guía de práctica clínica sobre diagnóstico y manejo de las rupturas agudas del ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA)

Desarrollo y redacción de una guía basada en la mejor evidencia disponible sobre el diagnóstico y manejo de la ruptura aguda del ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) para asistir a la toma de decisiones para controlar la variabilidad en los procesos clínicos de diagnóstico y manejo de dicha patología. Se definió el grupo de desarrollo de la guía (GDG) y de acuerdo con la metodología desarrollada en el Centro de Estudios del Hospital según convocatoria del Ministerio de Salud, se cumplieron las siguientes etapas : Priorización, definición de foco y alcance, formulación de las preguntas clínicas relevantes al estado del arte y puntos de controversia actual en el tema a tratar (Metodología PECOT), revisión sistemática de la literatura, síntesis de la evidencia, evaluación y graduación de acuerdo con la metodología "GRADE" y las platillas propuestas por SIGN. Por consenso se definieron las recomendaciones de acuerdo con la metodología GRADE. Se presenta una Guía de Práctica Clínica (GPC), que responde las preguntas: enfoque de hemartrosis, indicaciones quirúrgicas, terapia física preoperatoria, profilaxis antitrombótica, tipo de injerto, anestésicos intrarticulares, lesiones asociadas, posición del túnel femoral, reconstrucción de uno contra dos haces. De acuerdo con la evidencia encontrada se formulan doce recomendaciones ajustadas al nivel de evidencia. La presente GPC corresponde a un piloto de una metodología para desarrollo de GPC aprobabda para uso a nivel nacional y al primer producto sobre este tema en la literatura encontrada.

Correlação entre torque, equlíbrio e função do joelho após reconstrução do LCA

Background: Several studies emphasize the importance of assessing the knee function after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The influence of several variables on the function of these patients has been analyzed, but there is no consensus in the science literature. Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between the torque and balance on the knee function after ACL reconstruction. Methods: 23 males patients with ACL reconstruction were tested. The procedures of the study included analysis of concentric peak torque at 60o/s and 180o/s of quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle with a isokinetic dynamometer. The balance in single-limb stance was measured with stabilometry. The functional performance were performed by two hop tests. To estimate the subjective function of the patients was applied Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and a Global Rating scale. Results: The analysis of data showed a moderate positive correlation between knee extensor torque and functional performance tests (r= 0,48; p=0,02). A moderate negative correlation was found between the two variables of the stabilometry center of pressure and average speed of centre of pressure and the Global Rating scale (r = -0.4, p = 0,04 and r = -0,49, p = 0 ,02, respectively). No correlation was found between peak torque and balance in single-limb stance. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that knee extensor strength and postural balance have some influence on knee function in patients after ACL reconstruction

Comparação entre parafuso de interferência e transcondilar na reconstrução do LCA

OBJETIVO: A fixação femoral na reconstrução do Ligamento Cruzado Anterior (LCA) com enxerto de tendões flexores pode variar muito de acordo com a disposição dos materiais e a experiência do cirurgião. Porém os trabalhos que comparam os sistemas de fixação são efetuados na maioria das vezes em cadáveres ou em animais, sem avaliar os resultados clínicos, prejudicando sua comparação com pacientes humanos vivos. Neste artigo avaliamos o resultado clínico de dois métodos de fixação do enxerto ao fêmur (parafuso de interferência de titânio e parafuso transcondilar de titânio) para saber se, do ponto de vista clinico e subjetivo, há diferença entre estes métodos. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 40 pacientes com lesão do LCA sendo que 20 pacientes tiveram seu enxerto fixado ao fêmur com parafuso de interferência e 20 com parafuso transcondilar. Todos foram reavaliados com no mínimo dois anos de pós operatório para medição da gaveta anterior, Pivot Shift e teste de Lachman, além da obtenção dos questionário de Lysholm e IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee). RESULTADOS: Os resultados não foram estatisticamente diferentes para os critérios avaliados. CONCLUSÃO: As duas formas de fixação são eficientes para esta técnica dentro dos parâmetros estabelecidos. Nível de Evidência II, Estudo Prospectivo Comparativo.

Comparing environmental impacts of native and introduced freshwater prawn farming in Brazil and the influence of better effluent management using LCA

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Análisis experimental de la influencia de la velocidad de aplicación de la carga, en los ensayos estáticos, y de la magnitud de la carga máxina, en los dinámicos, en el comportamiento in vitro de los tornillos interferenciales y de un nuevo dispositivo expansor radial para la fijación ósea de injertos de LCA de la rodilla

El primer objetivo de este trabajo consite en rediseñar un nuevo sistema defijación del injerto de LCA, basado en la expansión radial, partiendo del desarrollo en el D.I.M de la ULPGC. El segundo objetivo es validar experimentalmente este dispositivo medienat ensayos, en diferentes medios, comparando los resultados con el dispositivo más utilizado en la actualidad de acción interferencial. Se llega a la conclusión de que el tornillo de expansión precisa una mayor fuerza y de un mayor número de ciclos para la extracción del implante , culminando el objetivo básico de la tesis de validar experimentalmente el dispositivo.

Applicazione di una metodologia LCA all'impiego di biomasse legnose a fini energetici: un confronto tra la produzione di energia termica da cippato e da pellet

Con questo studio si è volto effettuare un confronto tra la generazione di energia termica a partire da cippato e da pellet, con particolare riferimento agli aspetti di carattere ambientale ed economico conseguenti la produzione delle due differenti tipologie di combustibile. In particolare, si sono ipotizzate due filire, una di produzione del cippato, una del pellet, e per ciascuna di esse si è condotta un'Analisi del Ciclo di Vita, allo scopo di mettere in luce, da un lato le fasi del processo maggiormente critiche, dall'altro gli impatti sulla salute umana, sugli ecosistemi, sul consumo di energia e risorse. Quest'analisi si è tradotta in un confronto degli impatti generati dalle due filiere al fine di valutare a quale delle due corrisponda il minore. E' stato infine effettuato un breve accenno di valutazione economica per stimare quale tipologia di impianto, a cippato o a pellet, a parità di energia prodotta, risulti più conveniente.