Chronic diseases are a global problem, yet information on their determinants is generally scant in low- and middle-income countries. The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) ...aims to contribute relevant information regarding the development and progression of clinical and subclinical chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, in one such setting. At Visit 1, we enrolled 15 105 civil servants from predefined universities or research institutes. Baseline assessment (2008-10) included detailed interviews and measurements to assess social and biological determinants of health, as well as various clinical and subclinical conditions related to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mental health. A second visit of interviews and examinations is under way (2012-14) to enrich the assessment of cohort exposures and to detect initial incident events. Annual surveillance has been conducted since 2009 for the ascertainment of incident events. Biological samples (sera, plasma, urine and DNA) obtained at both visits have been placed in long-term storage. Baseline data are available for analyses, and collaboration via specific research proposals directed to study investigators is welcome.
This paper presents a new and efficient methodology for distribution network reconfiguration integrated with optimal power flow (OPF) based on a Benders decomposition approach. The objective ...minimizes power losses, load balancing among feeders, and is subject to constraints: capacity limit of branches, minimum and maximum power limits of substations or distributed generators, minimum deviation of bus voltages, and radial optimal operation of networks. A specific approach of the generalized Benders decomposition algorithm is applied to solve the problem. The formulation can be embedded under two stages: the first one is the master problem and is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem. This stage determines the radial topology of the distribution network. The second stage is the slave problem and is formulated as a nonlinear programming problem. This stage is used to determine the feasibility of the Master problem solution by means of an OPF and provides information to formulate the linear Benders cuts that connect both problems. The model is programmed in the general algebraic modeling system. The effectiveness of the proposal is demonstrated through three examples extracted from the literature.
•Co-gasification of RDF with biomass was studied in an autothermal pilot-scale BFB.•Stable conditions of operation were attained and defluidization was not observed.•RDF addition led to enhanced ...gasification products and producer gas LHV increase.•RDF is demonstrated as a promising feedstock for co-gasification with biomass.
In this work, direct (air) co-gasification of refused derived fuel with biomass was demonstrated in an 80kWth pilot-scale bubbling fluidized bed reactor. The influence of the process operating parameters, namely average bed temperature between 785 and 829 °C, equivalence ratio between 0.21 and 0.36 and refused derived fuel weight percentage in the fuel mixture (0, 10, 20, 50 and 100 wt%) was analyzed. For the operating conditions used, the process was demonstrated as autothermal and operating under steady-state conditions, with no defluidization phenomena observed. The increase of the refused derived fuel weight percentage in the fuel mixture led to an increase of the methane and ethylene concentration in the producer gas and, consequently, an increase of the producer gas lower heating value, reaching a maximum value of 6.4 MJ/Nm3. In terms of efficiency parameters, cold gas efficiency was found between 32.6 and 53.5% and carbon conversion efficiency between 56.0 and 84.1%. A slight increase of the cold gas efficiency was observed with the increase of the refused derived fuel weight percentage in the fuel mixture. Thus, refused derived fuel co-gasification with biomass was shown as a highly promising process for the valorization of wastes as an energetic resource.
This paper addresses the participation of an aggregator of small prosumers in the energy and tertiary reserve markets. A two-stage stochastic optimization model is proposed to exploit the load and ...generation flexibility of the prosumers. The aim is to define energy and tertiary reserve bids to minimize the net cost of the aggregator buying and selling energy in the day-ahead and real-time markets, as well as to maximize the revenue of selling tertiary reserve during the real-time stage. Scenario-based stochastic programming is used to deal with the uncertainties of photovoltaic power generation, electricity demand, outdoor temperature, end-users' behavior, and preferences. A case study of 1000 small prosumers from MIBEL is used to compare the proposed strategy to two other strategies. The numerical results show that the proposed strategy reduces the bidding net cost of the aggregator by 48% when compared to an inflexible strategy typically used by retailers.
Identification of the degree of porous medium clogging in constructed wetlands (CWs) is a complex procedure because bed obstruction is a phenomenon that occurs in the subsurface and involves several ...factors. Ideal methods must allow for subsurface analysis and be non-invasive, what is the case of ground penetrating radar (GPR or georadar) used for soil characterization. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the use of GPR for clogging characterization of two full-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF-CWs), one unit planted with cattail (Typha latifolia) and the other unit with no vegetation. Both units received municipal sewage (50 p.e. each) previously treated in an anaerobic reactor, had been in operation for seven years (at the time the GPR was used) and showed signs of heavy clogging, leading to surface flow. In order to produce a standard for GPR image (created by the response of the reflected wave in the passage through different media) identification and association of colors with the environmental conditions inside the medium (cleaner or more obstructed condition), a clean granular rock filter (in operation for only one month), similar to the unplanted unit, was used. Equations developed for indirectly estimating the porosity, based on the RGB (red, green and blue) color scale, indicated that the methodology was in agreement with the visual conditions of surface flow occurrence in the HSSF-CW, showing to be a suitable non-invasive method to characterize the advancement of clogging in CWs.
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•GPR shows to be a promising way to assess the clogging degree in CW;•The method allows the estimation of a possible surface flow occurrence;•The developed equations allow porosity estimation;•The methodology reduce visual interpretation subjectivity.
Grape bagasse generated in the wine production process was characterized through X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic ...resonance and thermogravimetric analysis. The efficiency of this natural material for Cd(II) and Pb(II) adsorption was evaluated using a batch adsorption technique. Factors affecting metal adsorption such as pH and contact time were investigated. Maximum adsorption was found to occur at pH 7.0 and 3.0 for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively, and a contact time of 5
min was required to reach equilibrium for both metals. With these conditions, adsorption studies were performed using a single solution. In addition, to calculate the adsorption capacities for each metal, the Langmüir isotherm model was used. The adsorption capacities were found to be 0.479 and 0.204
mmol
g
−1 for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively. The results showed that grape bagasse could be employed as a low-cost alternative adsorbent for effluent treatment.
Background It has been proposed that improved hygiene and reduced experience of infections in childhood influences the development of allergic diseases. The mechanisms by which the hygiene operates ...are not well established but are underpinned by two apparently incompatible immunologic paradigms, the balance of TH 1 versus TH 2 cytokines and IL-10–mediated regulation of TH 2 cytokines. Objective This study defined immunologic phenotypes with the use of latent class analysis and investigated their associations with environmental factors, markers of allergy and asthma, in a Latin American population. Methods We studied 1127 children living in urban Brazil. Data on wheeze and environmental exposures were collected with standardized questionnaires. Atopy was measured by specific IgE in serum and skin prick test reactivity to aeroallergens. Cytokines were measured in culture after the stimulation of peripheral blood leukocytes with mitogen. Infections with pathogens were assessed by serology and stool examinations. Children were classified as having high or low burden of infection. Latent class analysis was used to identify immune phenotypes on the basis of cytokine production. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the adjusted effects of environment and burden of infection on the immunologic phenotypes and the effect of the phenotypes on atopy and asthma. Results Three phenotypes were identified, labeled underresponsive, intermediate, and responsive. Children of more educated mothers, living in improved environmental conditions, and with a low burden of infection were significantly more likely to have the responsive phenotype. The responsive phenotype was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of atopy but not asthma. Conclusion Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the immune mechanisms by which the hygiene hypothesis operates in urban Latin America.
Abstract
Cold dark matter (CDM) has shown to be an excellent candidate for the dark matter (DM) of the Universe at large scales; however, it presents some challenges at the galactic level. The scalar ...field dark matter (SFDM), also called fuzzy, wave, Bose–Einstein condensate, or ultralight axion DM, is identical to CDM at cosmological scales but different at the galactic ones. SFDM forms core haloes, it has a natural cut-off in its matter power spectrum, and it predicts well-formed galaxies at high redshifts. In this work we reproduce the rotation curves of high-resolution low surface brightness (LSB) and SPARC galaxies with two SFDM profiles: (1) the soliton+NFW profile in the fuzzy DM (FDM) model, arising empirically from cosmological simulations of real, non-interacting scalar field (SF) at zero temperature, and (2) the multistate SFDM (mSFDM) profile, an exact solution to the Einstein–Klein–Gordon equations for a real, self-interacting SF, with finite temperature into the SF potential, introducing several quantum states as a realistic model for an SFDM halo. From the fits with the soliton+NFW profile, we obtained for the boson mass 0.212 < mψ/(10−23 eV/c2) < 27.0 and for the core radius 0.326 < rc/kpc < 8.96. From the combined analysis with the LSB galaxies, we obtained mψ = 0.554 × 10−23 eV, a result in tension with the severe cosmological constraints. Also, we show the analytical mSFDM model fits the observations as well as or better than the empirical soliton+NFW profile, and it reproduces naturally the wiggles present in some galaxies, being a theoretically motivated framework additional or alternative to the FDM profile.
Background: Sanitation affects health, especially that of young children. Residents of Salvador, in Northeast Brazil, have had a high prevalence of intestinal parasites. A citywide sanitation ...intervention started in 1996 aimed to raise the level of sewer coverage from 26% to 80% of households. Objectives: We evaluated the impact of this intervention on the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichuria, and Giardia duodenalis infections in preschool children. Methods: The evaluation was composed of two cross-sectional studies (1998 and 2003-2004), each of a sample of 681 and 976 children 1—4 years of age, respectively. Children were sampled from 24 sentinel areas chosen to represent the range of environmental conditions in the study site. Data were collected using an individual/household questionnaire, and an environmental survey was conducted in each area before and after the intervention to assess basic household and neighborhood sanitation conditions. Stool samples were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites. The effect of the intervention was estimated by hierarchical modeling, fitting a sequence of multivariate regression models. Findings: The prevalence of A. lumbricoides infection was reduced from 24.4% to 12.0%, T. trichuria from 18.0% to 5.0%, and G. duodenalis from 14.1% to 5.3%. Most of this reduction appeared to be explained by the increased coverage in each neighborhood by the sewage system constructed during the intervention. The key explanatory variable was thus an ecological measure of exposure and not household-based, suggesting that the parasite transmission prevented by the program was mainly in the public (vs. the domestic) domain. Conclusion: This study, using advanced statistical modeling to control for individual and ecological potential confounders, demonstrates the impact on intestinal parasites of sanitation improvements implemented at the scale of a large population.
This paper aims to study the contracts of the Portuguese Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) of the motorway sector which represent an important part of the Annual Portuguese State Budget, as well as a ...crucial contribution to the Portuguese Public Debt. Once the formulae determining annual rents due to the private partners depend on stochastic variables, their simulation is binding. Otherwise, the Public Finances can suffer large losses. Our study is essential aiming to defend the Public interest and the political transparency as well as to present tools to prevent future excessive costs.
In order to perform a simulation of the PP rents we started by describing the related contracts and analysing the mathematical formulae therein, following an insightful look and a descriptive analysis the historical data. Finally, a stochastic simulation study of the injury accident rates allowed us to calculate their rates as well as their renting implications.
The simulated values are in accordance with our previous analysis, showing the existence of negative values for bonuses and penalties in the contracts. We discover the existence of an important trend: the bonuses increase and the penalties decrease when regarding symmetric variations in the fatal accident rates. This results in a strong and negative impact in the Portuguese Public Treasure.
For the first time numerical flaws present in PPP contracts were systematically analysed by using a new statistical tool. This approach fills a gap when we are dealing with these issues allowing the partners to decide in a well informed manner.
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