Experimental salt cavern in offshore ultra-deep water and well designevaluation for CO_(2) abatement

This paper presents a proposal for an experimental salt cavern in offshore ultra-deep water for CO2 abatement,including the instrumentation plan and well conceptual design evaluated for carbon capture and storage(CCS)application.These studies are based on applied computational mechanics associated with field experimentation that has contributed to the technical feasibility of the underground potash mine at the State of Sergipe in Brazil.This knowhow allowed the stability analysis of several salt caverns for brine production at the State of Alagoas in Brazil and to the drilling through stratified thick layers of salt of the pre-salt reservoirs in Santos Basin.Now,this knowledge has been applied in the design of onshore and offshore salt caverns opened by dissolution for storage of natural gas and CO2.The geomechanical study,through the application of computational mechanics,of offshore giant salt caverns of 450 m high by 150 m in diameter,shows that one cavern can store about 4 billion Sm3 or 7.2 million tons of CO2.Before the construction of the giant cavern,which will be the first gas storage offshore in the world,it has been decided to develop an experimental one,with smaller size,to obtained field parameters.The experimental cavern will allow the calibration of parameters to be used in the structural integrity analysis of the cavern and well for storage of natural gas which is rich in CO2 under high pressure.

Foliar Application of Calcium and Molybdenum in Common Bean Plants: Yield and Seed Physiological Potential

The foliar application of micro- and macronutrients is often practiced by farmers to improve yield and seed physiological potential. For calcium and molybdenum, positive results have been observed, even in soils with high nutrient content. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of foliar applications of calcium and molybdenum on yield and seed physiological potential in common bean plants. A randomized block design was implemented, with the treatments fixed in a factorial scheme: two molybdenum rates (with or without) and four calcium rates, with four replications. The calcium rates applied on the leaves were 0, 150, 300 and 600 g·ha-1 for the first year of the investigation (2005) and 0, 300, 600 and 900 g·ha-1 for the second year (2006). In both years, the molybdenum rates applied on the leaves were 0 g·ha-1 (without) and 75 g·ha-1 (with). The results showed that the foliar calcium application, with or without molybdenum, did not improve yield. Foliar application of calcium alone improved seed physiological potential in common bean plants when applied at the full bloom stage.

Enhancement of the Photodynamic Therapy Effect on Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm

Biofilm is a community of bacteria, less susceptible to traditions treatments. Although photodynamic therapy （PDT） is a very effective way to microorganism inactivation, in biofilm it is not as efficient as it is in planktonic bacteria cultures. The increment of an element to increase the effectiveness of PDT was our aim. Therefore, this in vitro study evaluates the susceptibility ofa biofilm formed by Streptococcus mutans on metallic surface of orthodontic accessories under the application of PDT with a surfactant. Samples obtained from blades of orthodontic bands （NiCr）, where used as adhesion surface for the biofilm. They were treated with 1 mg/ml of curcumin, with 0.1% of sodium dodecyl sulfate and exposed to 30 J/cm^2 of light （455 nm）. Eight experimental groups were studied, including the positive and negative controls. The results show that the group with PDT and surfactant had a significant decrease （p 〈 0.001） in viability. In this case, the reduction observed was of 5.6 log10 （CFU/ml） in comparison to the control group. We have shown that, even though the biofilm is very tough and complex structure, we are able to promote almost the complete inactivation ofS. mutans in systems similar to an orthodontic treated patient＇s mouth.

Quantitative Evaluation of Inflammatory Response in Rats Submitted to the Abdominal Wall Surgery Using Peritoneum of Paca Preserved in 300% Supersaturated Solution of Sucrose or 98% Glycerin

This study aimed to quantitative evaluate the implantation of paca’s peritoneum, a new biomaterial option, preserved in 300% supersaturated sugar solution or 98% glycerin on the abdominal wall of Wistar rats. 60 males, weighing between 150 and 200 g, are organized into the following experimental groups: control group (GI);group peritoneum preserved in 300% supersaturated sugar solution (GII);and group peritoneum preserved in 98% glycerin (GIII). Each group had 20 animals. Five rats from each group underwent euthanasia at four different moments: 7th, 15th, 30th, and 60th post-operatory day for histological and stereological evaluations of the graft/native tissue interface. On histological examination, one found out an extensive presence of inflammatory infiltrate at the early periods (7th and 15th day) and an extensive presence of connective tissue at the late moments (30th and 60th day). Through stereological analysis, one found out that the number of mononuclear cells decreased throughout the evaluation moments. One concluded that the paca’s peritoneum as a biological membrane preserved in 98% glycerin, when implanted on the abdominal wall of rats, microscopically allowed one to obtain, through stereological analyses, a lower inflammatory response than the paca’s peritoneum preserved in 300% supersaturated sugar solution.

Elemental Composition of PM_2.5in Araraquara City (Southeast Brazil) during Seasons with and without Sugar Cane Burning

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 2.5 μm (PM2.5), present in polluted air, has been associated with a large spectrum of health impairments, mainly because of its deep deposition into the lungs. Araraquara City (Southeast Brazil) is surrounded by sugar-cane plantations, which are burned to facilitate the harvesting;this process causes environmental pollution due to the large amounts of soot that are released into the atmosphere. In this work, the elemental composition of PM2.5 was studied in two scenarios, namely in sugar-cane harvesting (HV) and in non-harvesting (NHV) seasons. The sampling strategy included one campaign in each season. PM2.5 was collected using a dichotomous sampler (10 L·min-1, 24 h) with PTFE filters. Information concerning the bulk elemental concentration was provided by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Enrichment factor analysis indicated that S, Cl, K, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb were highly enriched relative to their crustal ratios (to Al). Principal component analysis was used to get some insight about the sources of the elements. Principal component 1 (PC1) explained 30.5% of data variance. The elements that had high loading (>0.7) were: S, Cr, As, and Pb;these are associated with combustion of fossil fuels. In principal component 2 (PC2), Cl, Cu, Zn, and Cd showed high loadings;these elements are associated with biomass burning. The Ni concentration found is three times larger than the threshold of risk for lung cancer, as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Validation of a FFQ （Food Frequency Questionnaire） for Older People

Nutrition data for older adults is an area that has few studies mainly in Brazil. Due to the importance to know the behavior of this age group, the aim of this study was to develop and validate a frequency food questionnaire （FFQ） for older people in Brazil. It was considered a sample of 73 subjects from the city of Avar6, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and it was applied three 24-hour recalls and a FFQ developed for adults. Data from the three 24-hour recalls were transformed in nutrient intake as well as the data from FFQ. Statistical analysis was performed in order to get correlations between data from the mean of three 24-hour recalls and FFQ for some nutrients. It was found high correlations among them, concluding that the FFQ is valid to get nutrient intakes for older people.

Analysis of Daily Rainfall in São Carlos/SP, Brazil over 1979-2017 Using Laplace Trend Test

Rainfall expresses one of the most complex climate factors in Southeastern Brazil. Understanding the dynamics and temporal trends of rainfall represents a significant challenge due to regional and even global mechanisms, such as FS (Frontal Systems) and the SACZ (South Atlantic Convergence Zone), and the interaction with the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The present study aimed at analyzing the pluviometric tendencies in São Carlos/SP, in the countryside of São Paulo State. Laplace trend test was used to comprehend the temporal evolution of daily rainfall in the region in the historical series 1979-2017, in seven pluviometric stations (climatological or surface stations). Significant fluctuations in interannual trends and between seasons were observed. However, it was noted that the beginning of the 1980s showed positive trends, whereas, as of the year 2000, most of the stations demonstrated negative trends, indicating a reduction in daily rainfall volume due to the great tropical climatic variability of Brazil. Emphasis should also be given to the regional and local effects, such as elevation and urbanization, respectively, which corroborate such differences among the analyzed stations. This methodology is of considerable value for the observation of pluviometric trends, and future studies can validate such a tool in climatological studies.

Effect of Aging on Solar Reflectance of White Cool Roof Coatings:Natural Weathering and the Influence on Building Energy Needs for Different Climate Conditions in Brazil

The use of cool materials on the building envelope is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase indoor thermal comfort conditions in hot climates and decrease the cooling energy needs.Despite the benefit of reducing cooling loads,researches have demonstrated that aging of roof coatings changes the initial solar reflectance(SR),which influences the long term building thermal and energy performance.Thus,this work presents preliminary natural weathering tests performed on samples of nine white coatings exposed to natural weathering for one year in the city of Sao Carlos,Brazil.Solar reflectances were measured with a spectrophotometer before and after exposure,every 3 months,for identifying the effect of aging along the time.The findings showed changes of 13%to 23%on SR after one year of natural weathering,with higher decrease on SR for rougher surfaces.The cleaning process restored from 90%to 100%of the original SR,which means maintenance can be an effective solution to restore the initial SR.Simulations indicated that roofs with higher solar reflectance increase indoor thermal comfort conditions and decrease the cooling energy need for buildings in hot climates,but the aging of white coatings increased the cooling energy needs along the time.

The effect of chlorhexidine on plaque index and mutans streptococci in orthodontic patients:A pilot study

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess chlorhexidine effects on plaque index and salivary levels of mutans streptococci (MS) when used as the immersion solution for removable orthodontic appliances and added to their acrylic resin composition. Methods: Forty-five patients (6 to 12 years old) were randomly assigned into three groups with 15 patients each. Group I (control)—without orthodontic appliances disinfection;Group II—removable orthodontic appliances which had been immersed in 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate overnight (8 hours), and Group III—orthodontic appliances in which 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate solution had been incorporated into their resin composition. Saliva was collected for quantification of MS and evaluation of plaque index was performed before and after installation of orthodontic appliance at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks. Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance. Results: Number of MS colonies in saliva and plaque index showed no statistically differences among groups at the different periods (p > 0.05). Conclusions: It could be concluded that chlorhexidine incorporation into the acrylic resin of removable orthodontic appliances at 0.12% concentration and immersion of the appliance into 0.12% chlorhexidine solution were not effective in reducing plaque index and the number of MS in saliva.

Neuropsychological Rehabilitation of Executive Functions: Challenges and Perspectives

Introduction: Executive Dysfunction (ED) is associated with difficulties in daily life and poor treatment adherence in individuals with neurological and psychiatric disorders. The aim of this paper is to present an update of Executive Function (EF) Rehabilitation Techniques. Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature review using the following keywords: executive function, mental disorders and rehabilitation in the PubMed, specific journals and books. Results: There is evidence of improvement of EF using some rehabilitation techniques, such as goal planning, goal management training, problem solving training, verbalization, drill and practice approach, metacognitive strategy instruction, computer-assisted training and neurofeedback. However, impact of rehabilitation on daily life remains poorly understood. Conclusion: Executive Dysfunction (ED) may be remediated and/or compensated at a certain degree by neuropsychological rehabilitation, but there is still a great challenge in this area based on how to measure effectiveness of EF interventions on daily life. There is a need for the development of new and/or combined techniques (i.e., pharmacological treatment, deep-brain stimulation) for a broader impact on quality of life for patients.

Data Analysis of Multiplex Sequencing at SOLiD Platform:A Probabilistic Approach to Characterization and Reliability Increase

New sequencing technologies such as Illumina/Solexa, SOLiD/ABI, and 454/Roche, revolutionized the biological researches. In this context, the SOLiD platform has a particular sequencing type, known as multiplex run, which enables the sequencing of several samples in a single run. It implies in cost reduction and simplifies the analysis of related samples. Meanwhile, this sequencing type requires an additional filtering step to ensure the reliability of the results. Thus, we propose in this paper a probabilistic model which considers the intrinsic characteristics of each sequencing to characterize multiplex runs and filter low-quality data, increasing the data analysis reliability of multiplex sequencing performed on SOLiD. The results show that the proposed model proves to be satisfactory due to: 1) identification of faults in the sequencing process;2) adaptation and development of new protocols for sample preparation;3) the assignment of a degree of confidence to the data generated;and 4) guiding a filtering process, without discarding useful sequences in an arbitrary manner.

远程耦合世界的可持续性框架

远距离之间的相互作用及其影响日益广泛。这种远程相互作用往往会对可持续发展产生深远的影响并会造成意想不到的结果。很多可持续性研究都是针对某个特定地点进行的,很少注重多个地点之间远程相互作用对可持续性所产生的影响。虽然有些研究涉及到远程因素,但通常都把它们看作外在变量,而未把它们看作反馈。为了更好地理解和综合各种远程相互作用,本文提出了一种基于远程耦合的综合框架,它是一个远距离社会经济和环境相互作用的总体概念。人类与自然耦合系统是研究在特定地点发生的相互作用,远程耦合概念是对人类与自然耦合系统研究的自然延伸。远程耦合框架包括五个相关的组成部分,即:人类与自然耦合系统、流、代理、原因、和影响。本文通过农产品贸易和物种入侵两个远程相互作用的例子来解释远程耦合框架,重点阐述远程耦合框架的影响,并讨论促进远程耦合研究发展的研究条件和方法。这个框架有助于分析系统内各组成部分以及它们之间的相互关系,找出研究差距,探索其中的隐含成本以及尚未开发的优势,提供引入反馈及多系统(发送、接收和外溢系统)之间权衡和协同的有效手段,从本地到全球各个层面加深对远程相互作用的认识,并提高社会经济和环境可http://www.ecologica.cn持续发展政策的有效性。

Mitomycin C in pterygium treatment

Pterygium is a benign lesion usually growing from the nasal side of the conjunctiva onto the cornea.Most cases of pterygium does not cause problem or requires specific treatment.The exact cause of pterygium is not clear yet,but some factors are pointed as causes,being the most important the long-term ultraviolet ray exposure.Pterygium surgery is usually considered when there are symptoms that do not respond to conservative treatment.Recurrence is the main complication of the surgery,and much has been done to avoid it.Mitomycin C（MMC） has been used as a fibroblast proliferation inhibitor during the surgery to reduce the chance of recurrence of the pterygium.This review describes the use of MMC as an adjunctive,the optimal dosage,the duration of administration of MMC and possible complications,when used during,after and before the surgery.Most studies suggest that increased exposure（dose or duration） of MMC is associated with a lower recurrence,but with higher risks of complications.

Executive Compensation and Corporate Financial Performance： Empirical Evidences on Brazilian Industrial Companies

This survey investigated the relationship between executive compensation and the financial performance of companies. It is hypothesized that a company can utilize its pay system to direct executives＇ efforts toward its strategic business objectives, thus contributing to higher levels of corporate financial performance. The survey data consisted of a secondary and non-probabilistic sample of 44 Brazilian industrial companies. In order to operationalize the independent remuneration variable, the authors used average monthly salary, average variable salary, and three indices that were created for this survey： benefits, career, and development. These indices measure the access to benefits, mechanisms for stimulating and supporting careers, and mechanisms to encourage education and professional development that companies offer to their directors, vice presidents, and chief executive officers （CEOs）, who are referred to in this paper by the term ＂executive＂. The remuneration data are from fiscal year 2006. In order to operationalize the financial performance variable, two accounting indicators were used： sales growth and return on equity （ROE） for fiscal years 2006 and 2007. The size of the companies was used as a control variable. The results of a multiple regression analysis do not support the hypothesis that there is a positive and significant relationship between executive compensation and corporate financial performance.

Postharvest Losses in the Wheat Logistics Chain： A Brazilian Case Study

This paper highlighted the losses occurring along the wheat supply chain in Rio Grande do Sul （RS）, Brazil, which accounts for almost half of the domestic wheat production. Based on a field research, a questionnaire was applied to representative agents in the market. Then the wheat supply chain in the state of RS was characterized and loss rates in each stage of that chain were quantified. Typically, losses during transportation in the domestic market account for about 11.8% of the total amount of wheat grain that leaves the farms. Losses during harvest and storage in cooperatives, which account for 93.2% of total losses, stand out in this context. Transportation operations account for 6.8% of total losses in the analyzed flow. Based on the results obtained in this study, strategies are suggested to reduce food losses in different links of the logistics chain, such as to evidence and quantify the wheat losses, to manage losses and set reduction targets and to give attention to transportation service levels.

The Shift in the Discourse About a Free Trade Area in the Brazilian Amazon： From Progress to Ecological Modernization

The Manaus Free Trade Area （ZFM） will end in 2023, but there is a proposal to amend the Brazilian Federal Constitution so that it lasts until 2073. From the understanding of discourse as a social practice, this paper is based on the analysis of 265 parliamentary pronouncements, 19 numbers of an institutional magazine, and 626 news texts from the most important local newspaper, all published between 2007 and 2010. It reveals a shift in the discourse about the ZFM, guided by ecological modernization. The industries are now presented as responsible for preserving the rainforest： it is said that if the tax incentives stop, there will be unemployment and deforestation. This tragic story line does not recognize the role of traditional peoples and communities in forest conservation and neither is open to the public debate about other models of development for the Amazon.

Corporate Social Responsibility （CSR） in the Hospitality Industry： Challenges and Practices in

This article aims to identify the challenges in the hospitality industry in Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil, with the perspective of developing an organizational culture that enables the practice of corporate social responsibility （CSR）. This study method was qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive （Richardson, 1999）. The data were collected by interviews with leaders of national and international chain operating hotel companies in Sao Luis （June 2013）, using the technique of content analysis. The theoretical framework was developed upon the concept of human resources management （HRM） and CSR. The research findings confirm that CSR is considered as a business strategy and that it contributes to personal and professional fulfillment of employees due to the offer of some benefits, such as remuneration and career plans, pleasurable work environments, awards, and recognition. Beyond that, findings also revealed that the hotels develop CSR activities, particularly focusing on employees, in order to provide guests＇ satisfaction. The main conclusions are： （1） Leadership is essential to build a culture that leads to a collective involvement in CSR actions; and （2） HRM is considered as a strategic tool for the development of CSR.

Graves’Disease and Marine Lenhart Syndrome:A Rare Clinical Presentation

The aim of this study is to review and discuss the clinical features and treatment options for the Marine-Lenhart syndrome, an uncommon thyroid disturb. The methodology adopted was a bibliographic research. The results of this study show that different mechanisms are implicated in the pathogenesis of Graves’ disease and in the nodular formation of thyroid tissue with functional autonomy. Graves’ disease is caused by an autoimmune process that involves the entire thyroid gland and is characterized by the presence of TSH receptor stimulating antibodies. The present study concludes that caution should be exercised in interpreting thyroid disease in Graves’ disease. The treatment of thyrotoxicosis requires high doses of oral drugs. Relapsing antithyroid therapy occurs soon after oral antithyroid therapy is discontinued. This presentation should alert the physician about the existence of toxic nodules, and about the possibility of a Marine-Lenhart Syndrome.