Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

About: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina is a education organization based out in Florianópolis, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 28408 authors who have published 55433 publications receiving 714461 citations.

Optimized δ expansion for relativistic nuclear models

Abstract: The optimized δ-expansion is a nonperturbative approach for field theoretic models which combines the techniques of perturbation theory and the variational principle This technique is discussed in the λφ4 model and then implemented in the Walecka model for the equation of state of nuclear matter The results obtained with the δ expansion are compared with those obtained with the traditional mean field, relativistic Hartree and Hartree-Fock approximations

A summary of the new GINA strategy: a roadmap to asthma control.

Abstract: Over the past 20 years, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has regularly published and annually updated a global strategy for asthma management and prevention that has formed the basis for many national guidelines. However, uptake of existing guidelines is poor. A major revision of the GINA report was published in 2014, and updated in 2015, reflecting an evolving understanding of heterogeneous airways disease, a broader evidence base, increasing interest in targeted treatment, and evidence about effective implementation approaches. During development of the report, the clinical utility of recommendations and strategies for their practical implementation were considered in parallel with the scientific evidence.This article provides a summary of key changes in the GINA report, and their rationale. The changes include a revised asthma definition; tools for assessing symptom control and risk factors for adverse outcomes; expanded indications for inhaled corticosteroid therapy; a framework for targeted treatment based on phenotype, modifiable risk factors, patient preference, and practical issues; optimisation of medication effectiveness by addressing inhaler technique and adherence; revised recommendations about written asthma action plans; diagnosis and initial treatment of the asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome; diagnosis in wheezing pre-school children; and updated strategies for adaptation and implementation of GINA recommendations.

Removal of methylene blue from colored effluents by adsorption on montmorillonite clay

Abstract: In this study, montmorillonite clay (MC) has been utilized as the adsorbent for the removal of a cationic dye, methylene blue (MB), from aqueous solution by the batch adsorption technique under different conditions of initial dye concentration, adsorbent concentration, contact time, solution pH, and temperature. Attempts were made to fit the isothermal data using Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The experimental results have demonstrated that the equilibrium data are fitted well by a Langmuir isotherm equation. Thermodynamic parameters such as the changes in enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs' free energy were determined, showing adsorption to be an endothermic yet spontaneous process. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models were considered to evaluate the rate parameters. The experimental data fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with an activation energy of +28.5 kJ mol(-1). The results indicate that MC adsorbs MB efficiently and could be employed as a low-cost alternative in wastewater treatment for the removal of cationic dyes.