Lung cancer (LC) is often diagnosed at advanced stage and as a result, survival rates are low. Recent studies describe exhaled breath and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a potential non-invasive method of sampling the airways for assessing inflammation of the respiratory system, and possibly for the early detection of LC. It was hypothesised that higher concentrations of markers and protein will be present in the EBC of LC patients compared to those of normal controls and healthy smokers, and may aid in assessing lung status. Methods: The gaseous phase of breath was investigated for volatile organic compound (VOC) patterns using an electronic nose (eNose) system, in addition to off-line measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) levels. The aqueous phase, EBC, was collected during tidal breathing through a glass collection device cooled to 4??C by ice. Nitrite/nitrate (NOx) and pH levels were determined by a fluorescent modification of the Griess method, and silicon chip sensor pH meter, respectively. Protein levels in EBC were examined with a bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, silver staining and PAGE techniques, while the levels of tumour markers, CYFRA 21-1 and CEA, were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results: The eNose machine was not able to produce characteristic VOC profiles from exhaled breath unique to each study group, while no significant difference was observed for mean NOx concentrations in the LC group when compared to other subjects (p=0.8824). Higher protein levels were found in the EBC of LC patient compared to normal controls (p=0.0204), with subsequent measurements of elevated CEA levels observed in the LC group when compared to non-smokers and smokers (p=0.023). Conclusion: This study showed that protein can be detected in the exhaled breath condensate of patients, with a significantly elevated amount in the samples from newly diagnosed LC patients. The mechanism for these differences remains to be determined but may be related to inflammatory changes within the airway, such as vascular protein leakage and release of mediators. Future work may aim to identify the upregulated proteins, and focus on proteomics and tissue microarrays to explore candidate proteins.

Neste trabalho, estudamos o efeito da turbulência quântica na expansão livre do condensado de Bose-Einstein de 87Rb. O BEC é produzido em uma armadilha magnética tipo QUIC, em seguida o condensado é perturbado através da aplicação de um campo magnético. A superposição de campos magnéticos excita os modos coletivos em condições de baixa amplitude de excitação. No entanto para altas amplitudes de excitação, foi possível observar também outros efeitos, tais como: a variação do perfil de densidade e a diminuição na taxa de expansão dos átomos. A distribuição de momento dos átomos perturbados, indica a presença de turbulência quântica no superfluido caracterizada por uma cascata de energia dentro da faixa inercial. Os resultados da expansão livre do BEC mostram a variação do perfil de distribuição de densidade dos átomos evoluindo de um perfil Gaussiano a um perfil exponencial para altas amplitudes de excitação. O mesmo efeito foi observado ao aumentar o tempo de excitação na condição de baixas amplitudes de excitação. Além da variação do perfil de distribuição de densidade, a taxa da expansão dos átomos não perturbados é maior do que os átomos perturbados, apresentando a ocorrência de uma diminuição anisotrópica, significativa, da velocidade dos átomos durante a expansão livre. A diminuição da taxa de expansão pode estar relacionado com o fenômeno de localização durante a expansão livre dos átomos. / In this work, we study the effect of quantum turbulence on the free expansion of the Bose-Einstein condensate of 87Rb. The BEC is produced in a quic magnetic trap, then the condensate is disturbed by the application of a magnetic field. Superposition of magnetic fields excites collective modes under conditions of low amplitude of excitation. However, for high amplitudes of excitation, it was possible to observe other effects, such as: the variation of the density profile and the decrease in the rate of expansion of the atoms. The momentum distribution of the perturbed atoms indicates the presence of quantum turbulence in the superfluid characterized by a cascade of energy within the inertial band. The results of the free expansion of the BEC show the variation of the density distribution profile of the atoms evolving from a Gaussian profile to an exponential profile for high excitation amplitudes. The same effect was observed by increasing the excitation time in the condition of low excitation amplitudes. In addition to the variation of the density distribution profile, the rate of expansion of the undisturbed atoms is greater than the perturbed atoms, with the occurrence of a significant anisotropic decrease in the velocity of the atoms during free expansion. The decrease in the rate of expansion may be related to the localization phenomenon during the free expansion of the atoms.

O óxido nítrico (NO) tem papel relevante nas diversas funções fisiológicas do organismo e nos mais variados sistemas que o compõe. Sabe-se que esta molécula é um constituinte normal do ar exalado na respiração de humanos e de animais. Tem como funções modular respostas inflamatórias e imunes bem como atuar na regulação do tônus vascular da musculatura lisa das vias aéreas. Esta molécula vem sendo reconhecida como importante marcador de lesão pulmonar, o que despertou a intensa investigação do NO no ar exalado. Uma metodologia não invasiva, de baixo custo e de fácil aplicação está sendo extensivamente estudada para a captação do ar exalado através do seu resfriamento e condensação, denominada Condensado do Exalado Pulmonar (CEP). É grande o interesse no estudo de doenças pulmonares inflamatórias, no entanto, observa-se uma considerável carência de evidências acerca dos níveis de concentração de mediadores inflamatórios, como o NO em amostras de indivíduos hígidos utilizando o CEP. Diante disso, decidiu-se elaborar um protótipo de aparato para coleta do condensado e empregar esta técnica para determinar valores de concentração de NO em uma amostra de voluntários hígidos. A metodologia de coleta utilizada foi baseada nas recomendações da força tarefa da American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) para procedimentos de coleta de condensado, com o intuito de evitar erros metodológicos, padronizar e trazer mais evidências para auxiliar a inserção do método na rotina clínica, além de disponibilizá-lo para novas pesquisas. Para isto foram selecionados 116 indivíduos adultos hígidos de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 20 e 70 anos. O protótipo de aparato utilizado na pesquisa foi de fabricação artesanal e desenvolvido na Divisão de Cirurgia Torácica e Cardiovascular da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo- FMRP/USP, visto que os aparatos comerciais são todos importados, de custo elevado e que ainda não forneceram evidências suficientes de que algum destes seria o padrão ouro para a coleta. O aparato foi eficiente para coletar o CEP e o NO foi detectável em todas as amostras. A média de NO foi de 13±14,4µM, e não houve correlação com o gênero (p=0,847) e idade (p=0,811). Não foi observado correlação entre o NO e o volume de CEP coletado (p=0,944). O volume de CEP coletado é dependente do volume exalado total (p<0,001). A partir destes resultados pode-se verificar que o aparato é viável e eficiente. Não foram encontradas correlações entre a concentração de NO no CEP, idade e o gênero. O presente estudo poderá contribuir com futuras pesquisas de caráter comparativo e fornecer mais uma opção de aparato para coleta do condensado do exalado pulmonar, provendo baixo custo, reprodutibilidade e reutilização do aparato / Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in various physiological functions in the body and in various systems that compose it. It is known that this molecule is a normal constituent of exhaled breath in humans and animals. Its functions modulate inflammatory and immune responses as well as act in the regulation of vascular tone of smooth muscles of the airways. This molecule has been recognized as an important marker of lung injury, which sparked intense investigation of exhaled NO. A non-invasive method, low cost and easy application has been extensively studied to collect the exhaled air through its cooling and condensation, termed exhaled breath condensate. There is great interest in the study of inflammatory lung diseases, however, there is a considerable lack of evidence about the concentration levels of inflammatory mediators such NO in samples of healthy individuals using exhaled breath condensate. Given this, it was decided to develop a prototype apparatus for collecting exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and employ this technique to determine concentration values of nitric oxide in a sample of healthy volunteers. The sampling methodology based on the recommendations of the task force of the American Thoracic Society / European Respiratory Society (ATS / ERS) for procedures using for collection of condensate, in order to avoid methodological errors, standardize and bring more evidence to support the inclusion of the method in clinical routine, and make it available for further research. We selected 116 healthy adults of both gender, aged between 20 and 70. The prototype apparatus used in the research was designed, produced and developed in the Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo-FMRP / USP. The commercial devices are all imported, expensive and not yet provided sufficient evidence that any of these would be the gold standard for collection. The apparatus was efficient to collect the EBC and NO was detectable in all samplesThe average NO was 14.4 ± 13 µM, and there was no correlation with gender (p = 0.847) and age (p = 0.811). There was no correlation between NO and the volume of collected EBC (p = 0.944). The volume of collected EBC is dependent on the total exhaled volume (p <0.001). From these results it can be seen that the apparatus is feasible and efficient. No correlation was found between the concentration of NO in the EBC, age and gender. The present study may contribute to future comparative studies of character and provide another option for apparatus for collecting condensate, providing low cost, reliability and reusability of the apparatus

Neste trabalho investigamos os efeitos das interações na expansão de um condensado de átomos de Rb. Dois problemas são abordados: o efeito de temperatura finita e as alterações introduzidas pela interação dipolar. No primeiro caso, dados experimentais não puderam ser explicados por meio da aproximação de Thomas-Fermi (TF) no regime de T = 0. Num condensado de cerca de 1 - 2 x 105 átomos condensados, o desvio da aproximação de TF ocorreu pelo fato de termos desconsiderado a interação dos átomos térmicos com os do condensado. Elaboramos um modelo teórico, baseado em modelos existentes de temperatura finita, o qual explicou relativamente bem os nossos resultados experimentais. No segundo problema atacado, foi analisada a variação na expansão do gás condensado quando a interação dipolar é incluída no sistema. Ambos os problemas mostram aspectos importantes da expansão de gases quânticos. / In this study we investigated the effects of interactions on the expansion of a condensate of Rb atoms. Two problems are addressed: the effect of finite temperature and the changes introduced by the dipolar interaction. In the first case, experimental data could not be explained by the Thomas-Fermi (TF) approach in the T = 0 regime. In a condensate of about 1 - 2 x 105 condensed atoms, the deviation of TF approach was due to the fact that we disregarded the interaction of thermal atoms those of the condensate. We developed a theoretical model, based on existing models of finite temperature, which explained relatively well our experimental results. In the second problem considered, we analyzed the variation in the expansion of the condensate gas when the dipolar interaction is included in the system. Both problems show important aspects of the expansion of quantum gases.

Neste trabalho investigamos os efeitos das interações na expansão de um condensado de átomos de Rb. Dois problemas são abordados: o efeito de temperatura finita e as alterações introduzidas pela interação dipolar. No primeiro caso, dados experimentais não puderam ser explicados por meio da aproximação de Thomas-Fermi (TF) no regime de T = 0. Num condensado de cerca de 1 - 2 x 105 átomos condensados, o desvio da aproximação de TF ocorreu pelo fato de termos desconsiderado a interação dos átomos térmicos com os do condensado. Elaboramos um modelo teórico, baseado em modelos existentes de temperatura finita, o qual explicou relativamente bem os nossos resultados experimentais. No segundo problema atacado, foi analisada a variação na expansão do gás condensado quando a interação dipolar é incluída no sistema. Ambos os problemas mostram aspectos importantes da expansão de gases quânticos. / In this study we investigated the effects of interactions on the expansion of a condensate of Rb atoms. Two problems are addressed: the effect of finite temperature and the changes introduced by the dipolar interaction. In the first case, experimental data could not be explained by the Thomas-Fermi (TF) approach in the T = 0 regime. In a condensate of about 1 - 2 x 105 condensed atoms, the deviation of TF approach was due to the fact that we disregarded the interaction of thermal atoms those of the condensate. We developed a theoretical model, based on existing models of finite temperature, which explained relatively well our experimental results. In the second problem considered, we analyzed the variation in the expansion of the condensate gas when the dipolar interaction is included in the system. Both problems show important aspects of the expansion of quantum gases.

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Yes / In oil, gas and petrochemical production complexes, steam pressure boosting technology is used to recover low-pressure steam, using both mechanical and thermal solutions to increase energy efficiency. The heat recovery from steam, especially flash steam produced in the return condensate lines, can be considered an economic and attractive solution. In an industrial case study in a gas plant located in the south-west of Iran, the LP condensate returns to the LP condenser waste with a flow rate of 96,000 kg/h and a pressure of 0.45 bar. As a result of the pressure drop, about 6800 kg/h of flash steam is generated. Therefore, in order to recover, the first the return condensate current enters a flash drum to separate the amount of steam produced by the flash operation. In this research, two strategies for increasing the pressure using a steam compressor and an ejector have been investigated. The simulation results show that flash steam recycling using steam compressors and ejectors results in energy saving for the refinery of about one million and USD100k per year, and also about 152 and 137 thousand tons equivalent to carbon dioxide emissions per year are reduced, respectively.

yes / Condensate stabilization is a process where hydrocarbon condensate recovered from natural gas reservoirs is processed to meet the required storage, transportation, and export specifications. The process involves stabilizing of hydrocarbon liquid by separation of light hydrocarbon such as methane from the heavier hydrocarbon constituents such as propane. An industrial scale back-up condensate stabilization unit was simulated using Aspen HYSYS software and validated with the plant data. The separation process consumes significant amount of energy in form of steam. The objectives of the paper are to find the minimum steam consumption of the process and conduct sensitivity and exergy analyses on the process. The minimum steam consumption was found using genetic algorithm optimization method for both winter and summer conditions. The optimization was carried out using MATLAB software coupled with Aspen HYSYS software. The optimization involves six design variables and four constraints, such that realistic results are achieved. The results of the optimization show that savings in steam consumption is 34% as compared to the baseline process while maintaining the desired specifications. The effect of natural gas feed temperature has been investigated. The results show that steam consumption is reduced by 46% when the natural gas feed temperature changes from 17.7 to 32.7°C. Exergy analysis shows that exergy destruction of the optimized process is 37% less than the baseline process.

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