Objective: Twenty-two million Americans or roughly 8% of the population are hearing impaired. This affects more than just the ability for one to hear. In the last three decades, younger Americans have shown a sharp increase in hearing impairment. Hearing loss affects social and emotional well being and thus has the ability to decrease one's quality of life. This study was designed to examine the association between smoking, workplace chemical exposure, and hearing loss.Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in an occupational health clinic setting in Virginia. The study population consisted of employees from local businesses who visited the clinic during the period of 1/1/03 to 1/1/05 for pure tone audiometry. Chart reviews supplemented by telephone interviews were conducted to extract data for analysis. All study subjects were eligible to participate except for those who were unable to communicate due to a language barrier. Prevalence and crude prevalence ratios were calculated. Adjusted prevalence ratios and prevalence odds ratios were calculated using Cox and logistic regression models. Data entry and statistical analysis were accomplished with the SPSS Data Builder and the SPSS 13.0 statistical software. SAS statistical software was also used for a portion of the statistical analysis.Results: In a Cox regression model controlling for many potential confounding factors (age, race, smoking, chemical exposure, military service, as well as others) cigarette smoking was not associated with hearing loss PR(95% CI), 1.0 (0.7, 1.3). Similarly, exposure to chemicals was not associated with hearing loss 1.1 (0.7, 1.6).Conclusion: This study did not find an association between cigarette smoking and hearing loss and exposure to industrial chemicals and hearing loss in persons who worked in a noisy occupational environment.

Investiga-se a influência de diferentes tratamentos sobre o sistema alumínio com cobertura de óxido de alumínio. A anodização do alumínio em meio de ácido sulfúrico e meio misto de sulfúrico e fosfórico foi empregada para alterar a resistência à corrosão, a espessura, o grau de cobertura e a microdureza do óxido anódico; e a eletrodeposição de ferro no interior óxido anódico em meio de sulfato com tratamento químico de selagem com cério, para alterar a sua condutividade elétrica e a sua resistência à corrosão. Para a eletrodeposição de ferro aplicou-se corrente contínua e pulsada e diversificou-se a composição do eletrólito de Fe(SO4)2(NH4)2.6H2O, com a adição dos ácidos bórico e ascórbico e para o tratamento de selagem, variou-se a concentração do CeCl3. A espectroscopia de energia dispersiva de raios X (EDS), a fluorescência de raios X (FRX) e a análise morfológica por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) permitiram verificar que, a corrente pulsada eleva o teor de ferro na camada anódica e a presença dos aditivos inibe a oxidação do ferro. As curvas cronopotenciométricas obtidas durante a eletrodeposição de ferro indicaram que a mistura dos ácidos bórico e ascórbico aumentaram a eficiência do processo de eletrodeposição. A espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE), medidas de microdureza Vickers (H) e análise morfológica evidenciaram que o tratamento de selagem melhora a resistência à corrosão do filme óxido modificado com ferro. As medidas de impedância elétrica por duas pontas permitiram comprovar o aumento da condutividade elétrica do alumínio anodizado com ferro, mesmo após o tratamento com baixas concentrações de cério. Nanofios de ferro foram preparados utilizando os poros do óxido anódico como matriz. / The influence of different treatments on the aluminum system covered with aluminum oxide is investigated. The aluminum anodization in sulphuric media and in mixed sulphuric and phosphoric media was used to alter the corrosion resistance, thickness, coverage degree and microhardness of the anodic oxide. Iron electrodeposition inside the anodic oxide was used to change its electric conductivity and corrosion resistance. Direct and pulsed current were used for iron electrodeposition and the Fe(SO4)2(NH4)2.6H2O electrolyte composition was changed with the addition of boric and ascorbic acids. To the sealing treatment the CeCl3 composition was varied. The energy dispersive x-ray (EDS), the x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (FRX) and the morphologic analysis by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) allowed to verify that, the pulsed current increase the iron content inside the anodic layer and that the use of the additives inhibits the iron oxidation. The chronopotentiometric curves obtained during iron electrodeposition indicated that the boric and ascorbic acids mixture increased the electrodeposition process efficiency. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIE), the Vickers (H) microhardness measurements and morphologic analysis evidenced that the sealing treatment improves the corrosion resistance of the anodic film modified with iron. The electrical impedance (EI) technique allowed to prove the electric conductivity increase of the anodized aluminum with iron electrodeposited even after the cerium low concentration treatment. Iron nanowires were prepared by using the anodic oxide pores as template.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a conversão dos açúcares do bagaço de cana em etanol, com foco na integração entre o pré-tratamento com H2SO4 diluído, sacarificação com celulases comerciais e fermentação com Scheffersomyces stipitis DSM- 3651, buscando-se uma configuração simplificada. Previamente aos ensaios de integração, o bagaço foi moído para a redução de sua heterogeneidade granulométrica. Após a moagem, o bagaço foi submetido a fracionamento, por fluxo de ar, separando frações de fibras e finos. Estas frações foram submetidas a analise composicional e observou-se que a fração de finos possui elevados teores de cinzas e extrativos, além de baixo teor de lignina em relação à fração de fibras, entretanto a estratégia de fracionamento do bagaço não foi seletiva. Os experimentos de definição da condição de pré-tratamento mais adequada para a avaliação entre integração entre sacarificação e fermentação foram conduzidos em reator Parr (2 gal) com 2Kg de mistura reacional, incluindo bagaço (10%), água e ácido. Três condições operacionais de pré-tratamento foram avaliadas: 140°C/1%H2SO4/20 min, 150°C/2% H2SO4/30 min e 160°C/3% H2SO4/40 min. Após o pré-tratamento, o slurry foi separado em sólido pré-tratado e hidrolisado hemicelulósico, por filtração. Em seguida o bagaço pré-tratado foi lavado exaustivamente com água destilada e submetido à hidrólise enzimática com celulases (10 FPU/g bagaço) por 72h. Paralelamente, o hidrolisado foi submetido à fermentação com S. stipitis (3 g/L) por 120h. As composições das frações geradas após o pré-tratamento (bagaço pré-tratado, hidrolisado e água de lavagem), quanto aos teores de açúcares e sólidos (solúveis e insolúveis) foram determinadas. As três condições de pré-tratamento levaram a remoção completa de hemicelulose do bagaço, e o aumento da severidade do pré-tratamento acarretou em aumento da eficiência de sacarificação dos sólidos pré-tratados, porém em menor recuperação de glicose após hidrólise enzimática. Por outro lado, o aumento da severidade do pré-tratamento prejudicou a recuperação de açúcares no hidrolisado hemicelulósico, elevando concentrações de ácido acético, furfural e HMF, resultando em inibição completa de fermentação daqueles obtidos nas condições de 150°C e 160°C. A conversão do sólido prétratado (lavado ou não-lavado) + hidrolisado (destoxificado ou não), e do slurry completo (destoxificado ou não) ambos obtidos após pré-tratamento à 140°C, foi avaliada em duas configurações, respectivamente: \"Fermentação do hidrolisado hemicelulósico (FHH), em separado da sacarificação do sólido pré-tratado e da fermentação do hidrolisado celulósico, separadas (SHF)\" e \"Sacarificação do sólido pré-tratado, em separado da co-fermentação dos hidrolisados celulósico e hemicelulósico, integradas (ISHCF)\". Na primeira, observouse que a destoxificação do hidrolisado com lacase (1U/mL) aumentou a produção de etanol, e possibilitou a redução do tempo de conversão em 48h. A sacarificação de sólidos não-lavados foi prejudicada pela presença de compostos solúveis e o condicionamento com lacase não influenciou a eficiência de sacarificação. A eficiência máxima de conversão em configuração de SHF+FHH foi de 28,4%, devido a não lavagem do sólido pré-tratado (13,7%) e destoxificação do HH (14,7%). Em ISHCF, observou-se que a eficiência de conversão de slurry integral destoxificado com lacase é mais alta (38,9%) do que em SHF+FHH, devido a não separação sólido-líquido e maior disponibilidade de açúcares. / This study aimed to evaluate the conversion of sugarcane bagasse into ethanol, focusing on integration between pretreatment with dilute H2SO4, saccharification with commercial cellulases and fermentation with Scheffersomyces stipitis DSM-3651, in a simplified design process. Prior to integration assays, the bagasse was milled to reduce its granulometric heterogeneity. After milling, the fractions of bagasse (fiber and pith) were separated by air flow. These fractions had their chemical composition determined and it was observed that pith fraction has higher content of ash, soluble extractives and low lignin content than fiber fraction; however the separation method was not selective. The experiments to define the most suitable pretreatment condition for evaluating the integration between saccharification and fermentation were conducted in a Parr reactor (2 gal) with 2 kg of reaction mixture, including bagasse (10%), water and acid. Three operational conditions of pretreatment were evaluated: 140°C/1% H2SO4/20min, 150°C/ 2% H2SO4/30 min and 160°C/3% H2SO4/40min. After pretreatment, the slurry was separated in pretreated solid and hemicellulosic hydrolyzate, by filtration. The pretreated solid was thoroughly washed with distilled water and submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulases (10 FPU / g residue) for 72h. In parallel, the hemicelullosic hydrolyzate was submitted to fermentation with S. stipitis (3 g / L) for 120h. The compositions of the fractions generated after pretreatment (pretreated bagasse, hemicellulosic hydrolyzate and washing water), regarding sugars and solids (soluble and insoluble) contents were determined. All pretreatment conditions led to complete removal of hemicellulose from the bagasse, and the increase of pretreatment severity improved the saccharification yield of pretreated solid, but, leaded to low recovery of glucose after enzymatic hydrolysis. On the other hand, the increase of pretreatement severity impaired the recovery of sugars in hemicellulosic hydrolysate besides increasing the concentrations of acetic acid, furfural and HMF, resulting in complete inhibition of fermentation of those obtained under the pretreatement conditions of 150°C and 160°C. The conversion of pretreated solid (washed and non-washed) + hemicellulosic hydrolyzate (with or without detoxification) and of the whole slurry, both obtained at 140°C was evaluated in two process designs, respectively: \"Fermentation of hemicellulosic hydrolyzate (FHH), separated from hydrolysis of pretreated solid and fermentation of cellulosic hydrolyzate, separately (SHF)\" and \"Integrated hydrolysis of pretreated solid separated from co-fermentation of cellulosic and hemicellulosic hydrolysates (ISHCF)\". In the first, it was observed that the detoxification of the hydrolyzate with laccase (1U / ml) improved the ethanol production, particularly for conversion time. The saccharification of non-washed solid was hampered by the presence of soluble compounds and its conditioning treatment with laccase did not influence the saccharification yield. The maximum conversion efficiency in SHF + FHH configuration was 28.4% due to not washing the pretreated solid (13.7%) and detoxification of hemicellulosic hydrolysate (14.7%). In the second process design, it was observed that the conversion efficiency of whole slurry, with laccase detoxification, was higher (38.9%) than in the separate configuration, with a lower conversion time.

Investiga-se a influência de diferentes tratamentos sobre o sistema alumínio com cobertura de óxido de alumínio. A anodização do alumínio em meio de ácido sulfúrico e meio misto de sulfúrico e fosfórico foi empregada para alterar a resistência à corrosão, a espessura, o grau de cobertura e a microdureza do óxido anódico; e a eletrodeposição de ferro no interior óxido anódico em meio de sulfato com tratamento químico de selagem com cério, para alterar a sua condutividade elétrica e a sua resistência à corrosão. Para a eletrodeposição de ferro aplicou-se corrente contínua e pulsada e diversificou-se a composição do eletrólito de Fe(SO4)2(NH4)2.6H2O, com a adição dos ácidos bórico e ascórbico e para o tratamento de selagem, variou-se a concentração do CeCl3. A espectroscopia de energia dispersiva de raios X (EDS), a fluorescência de raios X (FRX) e a análise morfológica por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) permitiram verificar que, a corrente pulsada eleva o teor de ferro na camada anódica e a presença dos aditivos inibe a oxidação do ferro. As curvas cronopotenciométricas obtidas durante a eletrodeposição de ferro indicaram que a mistura dos ácidos bórico e ascórbico aumentaram a eficiência do processo de eletrodeposição. A espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE), medidas de microdureza Vickers (H) e análise morfológica evidenciaram que o tratamento de selagem melhora a resistência à corrosão do filme óxido modificado com ferro. As medidas de impedância elétrica por duas pontas permitiram comprovar o aumento da condutividade elétrica do alumínio anodizado com ferro, mesmo após o tratamento com baixas concentrações de cério. Nanofios de ferro foram preparados utilizando os poros do óxido anódico como matriz. / The influence of different treatments on the aluminum system covered with aluminum oxide is investigated. The aluminum anodization in sulphuric media and in mixed sulphuric and phosphoric media was used to alter the corrosion resistance, thickness, coverage degree and microhardness of the anodic oxide. Iron electrodeposition inside the anodic oxide was used to change its electric conductivity and corrosion resistance. Direct and pulsed current were used for iron electrodeposition and the Fe(SO4)2(NH4)2.6H2O electrolyte composition was changed with the addition of boric and ascorbic acids. To the sealing treatment the CeCl3 composition was varied. The energy dispersive x-ray (EDS), the x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (FRX) and the morphologic analysis by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) allowed to verify that, the pulsed current increase the iron content inside the anodic layer and that the use of the additives inhibits the iron oxidation. The chronopotentiometric curves obtained during iron electrodeposition indicated that the boric and ascorbic acids mixture increased the electrodeposition process efficiency. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIE), the Vickers (H) microhardness measurements and morphologic analysis evidenced that the sealing treatment improves the corrosion resistance of the anodic film modified with iron. The electrical impedance (EI) technique allowed to prove the electric conductivity increase of the anodized aluminum with iron electrodeposited even after the cerium low concentration treatment. Iron nanowires were prepared by using the anodic oxide pores as template.

La biodétérioration du béton, très courante dans les systèmes d'égouts et de traitement des eaux usées, entraîne une dégradation significative de la structure. Normalement, le processus peut être décrit par les deux étapes suivantes : 1) Des réactions biochimiques produisent des espèces agressives dans les biofilms qui tapissent la surface du béton. L'un des plus importants acides biogéniques que l'on trouve dans les canalisations d'égout est l'acide sulfurique (H2 SO4 ) que est produit par des bactéries sulfo-oxydante (BSO)à partir de l'hydrogène sulfuré (H2 S). 2) Les réactions chimiques entre les espèces agressives biogéniques et les produits d'hydratation du ciment sont responsables de la détérioration du béton. Un modèle de transport réactif est proposé afin de simuler les processus des détériorations chimique et biochimique des matériaux cimentaires en contact avec les BSO et le H2 S ou une solution d'acide sulfurique. L'objectif de ce modèle est de résoudre simultanément le transport et la biochimie / chimie dans les biofilms et les matériaux cimentaires par une approche globale couplée. Afin de fournir un environnement approprié pour la croissance des BSO, la neutralisation de la surface du béton (i.e., l'absorption de H2 S et la corrosion aqueuse de H2 SO4 ) est considérée. Pour obtenir la quantité de H2 SO4 biogénique, la bio-oxydation du H2 S par l'activation des bactéries est simulée par un modèle simplifié. Puis, pour alimenter un environnement convenable pour la croissance des BSO, la réduction abiotique du pH du béton est introduite. Le taux de production de H2 SO4 est régi par la valeur du pH dans les biofilms et la quantité de H2 S dans le gaz. On fait l'hypothèse que tous les processus chimiques sont en équilibre thermodynamique. La dissolution de la portlandite (CH) et du silicate de calcium hydratés (C-S-H), ainsi que la précipitation de gypse (CSH2) et du sulfure de calcium sont décrites par la loi d'action de masse et le seuil des produits d'activité ionique. Pour prendre en compte la décroissante continue du rapport Ca/Si lors de la dissolution de la C-S-H, une généralisation de la loi d'action de masse est appliquée. En simplifiant le processus de précipitation du gypse, un modèle d'endommagement est introduit pour caractériser la détérioration du béton due au gonflement du gypse. Ainsi, l'évolution de la porosité et de la profondeur de la détérioration pendant le processus de dégradation sont pris en compte. Seule la diffusion des espèces aqueuses est considérée. Différents coefficients de diffusion sont utilisés pour divers ions et l'équation de Nernst-Planck est implémentée. L'effet, pendant la détérioration, de la modification de la microstructure sur les propriétés de transport est aussi considéré. Pour les biofilms et les matériaux cimentaires, les équations d'équilibre de masse totale de chaque atome (Ca, Si, S, K, Cl) sont utilisées pour coupler les équations de transport et les réactions (bio) chimiques. Le modèle est implémenté dans un code volumes finis, Bil. Grâce à l'introduction de la méthode des volumes finis, on illustre le couplage du processus bio-chimie dans les biofilms et le processus de la chimiedes matériaux cimentaires. Par ce modèle, certaines expériences rapportées dans la littérature, dont des tests d'immersion chimiques (condition de la solution statique et condition de la solution d'écoulement) et des simulations microbiologiques, sont simulées. Les résultats numériques et les observations expérimentales sont comparés et discutés. L'influence des propriétés des matériaux cimentaires (porosité initiale, couche carbonatée, etc.) et les facteurs d'environnement (concentration de H2 SO4 quantité de H2 S etc) sont aussi étudiés par ce modèle. En outre, une prédiction à long terme est menée / Bio-deterioration of concrete, which is very common in sewer system and waste water treatment plant, results in significant structure degradation. Normally, the process can be described by the two following parts: 1) Biochemistry reactions producing biogenic aggressive species in biofilms which are spread on the surface of concrete. As one of the most significant biogenic acid in sewer pipes, sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is produced by sulfur oxidizing bacteria (SOB). 2) Chemical reactions between biogenic aggressive species and cement hydration products which is responsible for concrete deterioration. A reactive transport model is proposed to simulate the bio-chemical and chemical deterioration processes of cementitious materials in contact with SOB and H2S or sulfuric acid solution. This model aims at solving simultaneously transport and biochemistry/chemistry in biofilms and cementitious materials by a global coupled approach. To provide an appropriate environment for SOB to grow, the surface neutralization of concrete (i.e., the absorption of H2S and aqueous H2S corrosion) is considered. To obtain the amount of biogenic H2SO4, the bio-oxidation of H2S by the activation of bacteria is simulated via a simplified model. To provide a suitable environment for SOB to grow, the abiotic pH reduction of concrete process is introduced. The production rate of H2SO4 is governed by the pH in the biofilms and the content of H2S in gas.It is assumed that all chemical processes are in thermodynamical equilibrium. The dissolution of portlandite (CH) and calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) and the precipitation of gypsum (C¯S H2) and calcium sulfide are described by mass action law and threshold of ion activity products. To take into account the continuous decrease of the Ca/Si ratio during the dissolution of C-S-H a generalization of the mass action law is applied. By simplifying the precipitation process of gypsum, a damage model is introduced to characterize the deterioration of concrete due to the swelling of gypsum. Thus, the porosity evolution and deterioration depth during deterioration process are taken into account. Only diffusion of aqueous species are considered. Different diffusion coefficients are employed for various ions and Nernst-Planck equation was implemented. The effect of the microstructure change during deterioration on transport properties is considered as well. For both biofilms and cementitious materials, the balance equations of total mass of each atom (Ca, Si, S, K, Cl) are used to couple transport equations and (bio-)chemical reactions. The model is implemented within a finite-volume code, Bil. Following the introduction of principle of the finite volume method, the coupling of the bio-chemistry process in biofilms and chemistry process in cementitious materials is illustrated. By this model, some experiments reported in literature, including chemical immersion tests (statical solution condition and flow solution condition) and microbiological simulation tests, are simulated. The numerical results and the experimental observations are compared and discussed. The influence of properties of cementitious materials (initial porosity, carbonated layer, etc.) and environmental factors (concentration of H2SO4, content of H2S, etc.) are investigated by this model as well. Furthermore, a long term predictionis conducted

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a conversão dos açúcares do bagaço de cana em etanol, com foco na integração entre o pré-tratamento com H2SO4 diluído, sacarificação com celulases comerciais e fermentação com Scheffersomyces stipitis DSM- 3651, buscando-se uma configuração simplificada. Previamente aos ensaios de integração, o bagaço foi moído para a redução de sua heterogeneidade granulométrica. Após a moagem, o bagaço foi submetido a fracionamento, por fluxo de ar, separando frações de fibras e finos. Estas frações foram submetidas a analise composicional e observou-se que a fração de finos possui elevados teores de cinzas e extrativos, além de baixo teor de lignina em relação à fração de fibras, entretanto a estratégia de fracionamento do bagaço não foi seletiva. Os experimentos de definição da condição de pré-tratamento mais adequada para a avaliação entre integração entre sacarificação e fermentação foram conduzidos em reator Parr (2 gal) com 2Kg de mistura reacional, incluindo bagaço (10%), água e ácido. Três condições operacionais de pré-tratamento foram avaliadas: 140°C/1%H2SO4/20 min, 150°C/2% H2SO4/30 min e 160°C/3% H2SO4/40 min. Após o pré-tratamento, o slurry foi separado em sólido pré-tratado e hidrolisado hemicelulósico, por filtração. Em seguida o bagaço pré-tratado foi lavado exaustivamente com água destilada e submetido à hidrólise enzimática com celulases (10 FPU/g bagaço) por 72h. Paralelamente, o hidrolisado foi submetido à fermentação com S. stipitis (3 g/L) por 120h. As composições das frações geradas após o pré-tratamento (bagaço pré-tratado, hidrolisado e água de lavagem), quanto aos teores de açúcares e sólidos (solúveis e insolúveis) foram determinadas. As três condições de pré-tratamento levaram a remoção completa de hemicelulose do bagaço, e o aumento da severidade do pré-tratamento acarretou em aumento da eficiência de sacarificação dos sólidos pré-tratados, porém em menor recuperação de glicose após hidrólise enzimática. Por outro lado, o aumento da severidade do pré-tratamento prejudicou a recuperação de açúcares no hidrolisado hemicelulósico, elevando concentrações de ácido acético, furfural e HMF, resultando em inibição completa de fermentação daqueles obtidos nas condições de 150°C e 160°C. A conversão do sólido prétratado (lavado ou não-lavado) + hidrolisado (destoxificado ou não), e do slurry completo (destoxificado ou não) ambos obtidos após pré-tratamento à 140°C, foi avaliada em duas configurações, respectivamente: \"Fermentação do hidrolisado hemicelulósico (FHH), em separado da sacarificação do sólido pré-tratado e da fermentação do hidrolisado celulósico, separadas (SHF)\" e \"Sacarificação do sólido pré-tratado, em separado da co-fermentação dos hidrolisados celulósico e hemicelulósico, integradas (ISHCF)\". Na primeira, observouse que a destoxificação do hidrolisado com lacase (1U/mL) aumentou a produção de etanol, e possibilitou a redução do tempo de conversão em 48h. A sacarificação de sólidos não-lavados foi prejudicada pela presença de compostos solúveis e o condicionamento com lacase não influenciou a eficiência de sacarificação. A eficiência máxima de conversão em configuração de SHF+FHH foi de 28,4%, devido a não lavagem do sólido pré-tratado (13,7%) e destoxificação do HH (14,7%). Em ISHCF, observou-se que a eficiência de conversão de slurry integral destoxificado com lacase é mais alta (38,9%) do que em SHF+FHH, devido a não separação sólido-líquido e maior disponibilidade de açúcares. / This study aimed to evaluate the conversion of sugarcane bagasse into ethanol, focusing on integration between pretreatment with dilute H2SO4, saccharification with commercial cellulases and fermentation with Scheffersomyces stipitis DSM-3651, in a simplified design process. Prior to integration assays, the bagasse was milled to reduce its granulometric heterogeneity. After milling, the fractions of bagasse (fiber and pith) were separated by air flow. These fractions had their chemical composition determined and it was observed that pith fraction has higher content of ash, soluble extractives and low lignin content than fiber fraction; however the separation method was not selective. The experiments to define the most suitable pretreatment condition for evaluating the integration between saccharification and fermentation were conducted in a Parr reactor (2 gal) with 2 kg of reaction mixture, including bagasse (10%), water and acid. Three operational conditions of pretreatment were evaluated: 140°C/1% H2SO4/20min, 150°C/ 2% H2SO4/30 min and 160°C/3% H2SO4/40min. After pretreatment, the slurry was separated in pretreated solid and hemicellulosic hydrolyzate, by filtration. The pretreated solid was thoroughly washed with distilled water and submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulases (10 FPU / g residue) for 72h. In parallel, the hemicelullosic hydrolyzate was submitted to fermentation with S. stipitis (3 g / L) for 120h. The compositions of the fractions generated after pretreatment (pretreated bagasse, hemicellulosic hydrolyzate and washing water), regarding sugars and solids (soluble and insoluble) contents were determined. All pretreatment conditions led to complete removal of hemicellulose from the bagasse, and the increase of pretreatment severity improved the saccharification yield of pretreated solid, but, leaded to low recovery of glucose after enzymatic hydrolysis. On the other hand, the increase of pretreatement severity impaired the recovery of sugars in hemicellulosic hydrolysate besides increasing the concentrations of acetic acid, furfural and HMF, resulting in complete inhibition of fermentation of those obtained under the pretreatement conditions of 150°C and 160°C. The conversion of pretreated solid (washed and non-washed) + hemicellulosic hydrolyzate (with or without detoxification) and of the whole slurry, both obtained at 140°C was evaluated in two process designs, respectively: \"Fermentation of hemicellulosic hydrolyzate (FHH), separated from hydrolysis of pretreated solid and fermentation of cellulosic hydrolyzate, separately (SHF)\" and \"Integrated hydrolysis of pretreated solid separated from co-fermentation of cellulosic and hemicellulosic hydrolysates (ISHCF)\". In the first, it was observed that the detoxification of the hydrolyzate with laccase (1U / ml) improved the ethanol production, particularly for conversion time. The saccharification of non-washed solid was hampered by the presence of soluble compounds and its conditioning treatment with laccase did not influence the saccharification yield. The maximum conversion efficiency in SHF + FHH configuration was 28.4% due to not washing the pretreated solid (13.7%) and detoxification of hemicellulosic hydrolysate (14.7%). In the second process design, it was observed that the conversion efficiency of whole slurry, with laccase detoxification, was higher (38.9%) than in the separate configuration, with a lower conversion time.

Foi estudado o comportamento eletroquímico de interfases Cu/H2SO4 0,5 mol L-1 na ausência e presença de compostos triazólicos - benzotriazol (BTAH) e tolitriazol (TTAH) e de surfactantes: dodecilsulfato de sódio (SDS aniônico) e cloreto de dodecilamônio (DAC catiônico) a 25ºC, empregando eletrodo parado e de disco rotativo (EDR). Foram empregadas como técnicas medidas de potencial de circuito aberto, polarização potenciostática e potenciodinâmica, cronoamperometria, espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica e microscopia óptica. As características inibidoras do filme formado dependem da natureza dos aditivos e das condições hidrodinâmicas. As interfases contendo BTAH, TTAH, BTAH + TTAH, BTAH + SDS e TTAH + SDS apresentaram uma faixa ampla de potencial em que o cobre se mostrou passivado, chegando a 200 mV para a mistura BTAH + SDS empregando EDR. Densidades de corrente de passivação tão baixas quanto 2µA cm-2 foram observadas com EDR na presença de BTAH + TTAH. As misturas composto triazólico - surfactante mostraram filmes menos resistentes. Os surfactantes isolados não produzem faixa passiva e antecipam o potencial de oxidação do cobre com eletrodo parado. As misturas triazol - DAC só produzem faixa passiva com EDR. Todos os aditivos se mostraram inibidores para a reação H+/H2, destacando-se, com eletrodo parado, BTAH, TTAH e BTAH + TTAH. / The electrochemical behavior of 0.5 mol.L-1 Cu/H2SO4 interphases has been studied in the presence and in the absence of triazolic compounds-benzotriazole (BTAH) and tolitriazole (TTAH) and of surfactants - sodium dodecylsulphate (anionic, SDS) and dodecylammonium chloride (cationic, DAC) at 25ºC, using non-stirred electrode and rotating disc electrode (RDE). Open circuit potential, potentiostatic and potenctiodinamic polarization, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and optical microscopy were used as techniques. The inhibitive features of the formed film depend on both the nature of the additives and on the hydrodynamic conditions. The interphases containing BTAH, TTAH, BTAH + TTAH, BTAH + SDS e TTAH + SDS presented a wide potential range where the copper is passivated, reaching to 200 mV for BTAH + SDS mixture using RDE. Low passivating current densities (2µA cm-2) were observed with RDE in the presence of BTAH + TTAH. Triazolic compound?surfactant mixtures have originated less resistant films. Isolated surfactants do not originate passive ranges and anticipate the oxidation potential of copper under non stationary conditions. The mixtures triazole-DAC only produce passive range at stationary conditions. All the additives have shown to be inhibitors for the H+/H2 reaction, specially BTAH, TTAH e BTAH + TTAH using non stirred conditions.

Alkylierte polyzyklische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe werden in vielen Matrizes wie Fahrzeugabgasen und Tabakrauch und auch als Kontaminanten in Nahrungsmitteln neben rein aromatischen Kongeneren gefunden. Alkylierte PAK können über die Alkylseitenkette über benzylische Hydroxylierung und nachfolgende Sulfonierung katalysiert über Sulfotransferasen (SULT) zu reaktiven Schwefelsäureestern umgesetzt werden. Die SULT-vermittelte Bioaktivierung zu einem genotoxischen Schwefelsäureester wurde für den benzylischen Alkohol 1-Hydroxymethylpyren des Hepatokanzerogens 1-Methylpyren in früheren Arbeiten gezeigt. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde überprüft, ob die benzylischen Alkohole weiterer alkylierter PAK über Sulfonierung zu genotoxischen Schwefelsäureestern umgesetzt werden. Hierzu wurde eine Gruppe von 17 Modellsubstanzen ausgewählt, um die Ableitung von Struktur-Aktivitäts-Beziehungen zu ermöglichen. Das genotoxische Potenzial authentischer benzylischer Schwefelsäureester der Modellsubstanzen wurde zunächst in vitro über DNA-Adduktbildung im zellfreien System und Mutagenität im Salmonella-Rückmutationstest untersucht. Die Sulfate zeigten große Reaktivitätsunterschiede in Abhängigkeit von der Struktur des aromatischen Systems und der Position der Alkylseitenkette, wobei die Endpunkte DNA-Adduktbildung und Mutagenität gut korrelierten. Des Weiteren wurde der Salmonella-Mutagenitätstest mit den benzylischen Alkoholen der untersuchten alkylierten PAK und gentechnisch veränderten S. typhimurium-Stämmen, die SULT-Formen des Menschen heterolog exprimieren, durchgeführt. Bis auf die Alkohole 2- und 4-HMP zeigten alle untersuchten benzylischen Alkohole deutliche mutagene Effekte in einem oder mehreren humane SULT exprimierenden Stämmen. Die durchgeführten in vitro-Versuche zeigten das Potenzial der benzylischen Metabolite alkylierter PAK für genotoxische Wirkungen. Nachfolgend musste geklärt werden, welche Relevanz die beobachteten Effekte für die komplexere in vivo-Situation haben. Nach Verabreichung verschiedener benzylischer Schwefelsäureester und Alkohole an männliche Ratten konnten DNA-Addukte in den untersuchten Organen detektiert werden, was im Fall der Schwefelsäureester deren systemische Bioverfügbarkeit und im Fall der benzylischen Alkohole deren Umsatz durch SULT der männlichen Ratte zeigte. Da im Gegensatz zum Menschen die SULT-Expression in der Ratte auf die Leber fokussiert ist, musste ein Großteil des Umsatzes zu genotoxischen Sulfaten in der Leber stattgefunden haben. DNA-Addukte wurden jedoch auch in extrahepatischen Organen gefunden, was über einen hepatischen Export der gebildeten reaktiven Sulfate und deren Transport über den Blutkreislauf zu diesen Geweben erklärt werden kann. Für die weiterführenden in vivo-Studien wurden die benzylischen Alkohole 1-HMP und 1-HM-8-MP ausgewählt, die trotz großer struktureller Ähnlichkeit toxikodynamische Unterschiede zeigten. Zur Untersuchung der Bedeutung des SULT-vermittelten Toxifizierungsweges als auch konkurrierender detoxifizierender oxidativer Stoffwechselprozesse, wurden für 1-HMP und 1-HM-8-MP in vivo-Inhibitionsstudien mit SULT-Inhibitoren und für 1-HM-8-MP auch mit ADH/ALDH-Inhibitoren durchgeführt. Eine Vorbehandlung mit dem SULT-Hemmstoff Pentachlorphenol führte zu einer Reduktion der DNA-Adduktniveaus in Organen 1-HMP- und 1-HM-8-MP-behandelter Tiere. Die Verabreichung von Quercetin hatte keine Auswirkung auf die DNA-Adduktniveaus. Die Hemmung der DNA-Adduktbildung bei Verabreichung von Pentachlorphenol verdeutlichte jedoch, dass benzylische Alkohole alkylierter PAK in vivo über Sulfonierung bioaktiviert werden. Eine Vorbehandlung mit dem ADH-Inhibitor 4-Methylpyrazol und dem ADH-Substrat Ethanol führte zu erhöhten DNA-Adduktniveaus in Organen 1-HM-8-MP-behandelter Tiere. Den gleichen Effekt, jedoch in geringerem Ausmaß, hatte auch die Vorbehandlung mit dem ALDH-Inhibitor Disulfiram. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass oxidative Modifikationen an der Seitenkette des 1-HM-8-MP einen Detoxifizierungsmechanismus darstellen. Nach Verabreichung benzylischer Metabolite alkylierter PAK wurden oftmals hohe Adduktniveaus in der Niere detektiert. Als mögliche Ursache hierfür wurde eine Transporter-vermittelte renale Sekretion reaktiver Sulfate postuliert, die über Vorbehandlung mit Probenecid vor Verabreichung von 1-HMP und 1-HM-8-MP überprüft wurde. Der Haupteffekt der Probenecid-Behandlung wurde jedoch nicht in der Niere, sondern in der Leber beobachtet, die stark erhöhte Adduktniveaus zeigte. Eine mögliche Erklärung hierfür ist die Hemmung des Exportes in der Leber gebildeter reaktiver Sulfate über Inhibition hepatischer organischer Anionentransporter. / Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are found besides purely aromatic congeners in numerous matrices like car engine exhausts and tobacco smoke and as contaminants in foods. Alkylated PAH can be converted at the alkyl side chain to reactive sulfuric acid esters via benzylic hydroxylation and subsequent sulfonation catalysed by sulfotransferases (SULT). The SULT-mediated bioactivation to a genotoxic sulfuric acid ester was shown for the benzylic alcohol 1-hydroxymethylpyrene of the hepatocarcinogen 1-methylpyrene in previous studies. In the thesis at hand it was studied if the benzylic alcohols of further alkylated PAH are converted to genotoxic sulfuric acid esters via sulfonation. For this purpose a group of 17 model substances was chosen to allow for deduction of structure activity relationships. The genotoxic potential of authentic benzylic sulfuric acid esters of the model substances was initially investigated in vitro via DNA adduct formation in a cell free system and mutagenicity in the Salmonella reverse mutation test. The sulfates showed large differences in reactivity depending on the structure of the aromatic system and the position of the alkyl side chain whereupon the endpoints DNA adduct formation and mutagenicity correlated well. Furthermore, the Salmonella mutagenicity test was carried out with the benzylic alcohols of the alkylated PAH studied and S. typhimurium strains genetically engineered for the heterologous expression of human SULT forms. Except for the alcohols 2- and 4-HMP all benzylic alcohols studied showed clear mutagenic effects in one or more SULT-expressing strains. The studies performed in vitro demonstrated the potential of benzylic metabolites of alkylated PAH for genotoxic effects. Consecutively, the relevance of the observed effects for the more complex in vivo situation had to be clarified. After administration of different benzylic sulfuric acid esters and alcohols to male rats DNA adducts were detected in the organs studied, in case of the sulfuric acid esters showing their systemic bioavailability and in case of the benzylic alcohols demonstrating their conversion to the corresponding reactive benzylic sulfuric acid esters by SULT of the male rat. Since in contrast to man SULT expression in the rat is focused on the liver, a large part of the conversion to genotoxic sulfates must have been taken place in the liver. However, DNA adducts were also found in extrahepatic tissues which can be attributed to a hepatic export of the reactive sulfates formed and their transport to these tissues via circulation. For the continuative in vivo studies the benzylic alcohols 1-HMP and 1-HM-8-MP were chosen that demonstrated toxicodynamic differences in spite of their great structural resemblance. To investigate the importance of the SULT-mediated toxification pathway as well as competing detoxifying oxidative metabolic pathways, in vivo inhibition studies with SULT inhibitors were performed for 1-HMP and 1-HM-8-MP and with ADH/ALDH inhibitors also for 1-HM-8-MP. A pretreatment with the SULT inhibitor pentachlorophenol led to a reduction of DNA adduct levels in organs of animals treated with 1-HMP and 1-HM-8-MP. Administration of quercetin had no impact on the DNA adduct levels. However, inhibition of DNA adduct formation at administration of pentachlorophenol demonstrated that benzylic alcohols of alkylated PAH are bioactivated via sulfonation in vivo. A pretreatment with the ADH inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole and the ADH substrate ethanol led to increased DNA adduct levels in organs of animals treated with 1-HM-8-MP. The same effect but to a lesser extent was caused by a pretreatment with the ALDH inhibitor disulfiram. This indicates that oxidative modifications at the side chain of 1-HM-8-MP represent a detoxification mechanism. After administration of benzylic metabolites of alkylated PAH often high DNA adduct levels were detected in kidney. A transporter-mediated renal secretion was postulated as possible cause which was investigated using a pretreatment with probenecid before administration of 1-HMP and 1-HM-8-MP. However, the main effect of the treatment with probenecid was not observed in kidney but in liver that showed strongly increased adduct levels. A possible explanation for this effect is the inhibition of the export of reactive sulfates formed in liver via inhibition of hepatic organic anion transporters.

Due to the increasing usage of Sn in different electronics, such as solders and in touchscreens, together with Boliden Rönnskärs increased intake of electronic waste as a secondaryraw material, a Zn-containing product called Zn-clinker has increasing amounts of Sn. TheZn-clinker is shipped to Boliden Zn-smelter in Odda, where the Zn-clinker is mixed in withcalcine (roasted concentrate) and leached in several steps. Since Zn-clinker is a product froma halogen removal in a clinker-furnace, the feed material (Mixed Oxide), for this furnace, wasalso investigated since there are plans to replace clinkering with soda-washing in the future.Most of the Sn ends up in the leaching residue which then is deposited in the mountaincaverns close by the Boliden Odda smelter. Boliden is studying the possibility to recoverPb/Ag and Sn content from the leaching residue and create a valuable by-product. Bystudying how the leaching of Sn behaves, together with a characterization of the materials, thefollowing question should be answered: “During which sulphuric acid leaching conditions, ofZn-clinker and Mixed Oxide, is the leaching of Sn minimized?” The leaching results for Zn-clinker showed that 8-10% Sn will leach out, despite changingtemperature, redox potential, time and pH. A characterization of the material with SEM-EDSand XRD-analysis was also conducted to see if Sn could be identified in any phases in thematerials. The studies provided enough evidence that Zn2SnO4 could be concluded to be themain phase in the leaching residue for Zn-clinker, a form that would not leach underconditions presented in this project. However, 8-10% of the Sn will come together with Feand when Fe leach out, so does Sn. The leaching results for Mixed Oxide pointed towards that different phases from them foundin Zn-clinker was present. Sn losses varied between 10-20% but raised to 47% whentemperature was changed to 80 °C during leaching. The SEM-EDS analysis showed that theidentified Sn-phases contained more Sn than in Zn-clinker and together with the leachingresults, a conclusion that Sn would mainly be found as SnO2 or SnO in the Mixed Oxide, butthere is still uncertainty about the distributions of these forms. Unfortunately half of the As leached out during the soda-washing for Mixed Oxide, creating aleachate with Cl, F and As that need to be taken care of. This could be challenging andpresenting a costly side-project for the route different from the Zn-clinker route used today.Another observation was that PbCO3 formed during the soda-washing, a phase that willconsume more sulphuric acid during leaching.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:26:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:06:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP