ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of operating time (t), current density (CD) and initial pH were investigated for soluble organic carbon (SOC) and total phosphorus (TP) removal from swine wastewater, pretreated in an UASB reactor, using an electrocoagulation process with aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) electrodes. For the optimal conditions, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and Al removal, sludge production and energy consumption were evaluated. The removal efficiencies for the Al electrode were 78%, 96%, 84%, 99%, 65% and 84% for SOC, TP, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe, respectively. For the Fe electrode the removal efficiencies were 57%, 96%, 81%, 99 % and 61% for SOC, TP, Cu, Zn and Mn, respectively. The sludge generated, energy consumption, and theoretical hydrogen yields were 5 g/L, 1-18 kWh/L and 0.7-8.5 kWh, respectively. The electrocoagulation process can be used for soluble organic carbon, phosphorus and metals removal from swine wastewater.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine if sex influenced abdominal fat yield, chemical composition, pH, color, fatty acid profile, and stability (by Differential Scanning Calorimetry - DSC) of Cobb chickens. Abdominal fat yields of 1.86 and 1.49% were obtained for females and males, respectively. Abdominal fat lipid contents of 70.68 and 74.36 g/100g, moisture content of 27.87 and 24.09 g/100g, protein content of 0.91 and 0.95 g/100g, ash content of 0.038 and 0.041 g/100g were obtained in males and females, respectively. Fat pH was not different between sexes, with values of 6.71 for males and 6.63 for females (p<0.05). Color L* values of 58.67 and 55.42, a* values of 4.95 and 3.44, and b* values of 7.36 and 8.18 were obtained for males and females, respectively. Female abdominal fat contained higher proportion of oleic acid (53.87%) followed by palmitic acid (30.07%), whereas 34.69% palmitic acid, 31.92% oleic acid, and 25.30% linoleic acid were determined in males. The proportions of the evaluated fatty acids were significantly different (p>0.05) between males and females, except for palmitic acid. The DSC analysis showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between sexes for melting and crystallization points. It was concluded that sex influences abdominal chicken fat yield, chemical composition, color, and DSC parameters.

Objective: To present our experience in the treatment of severe stenosis of the external urinary meatus in male children and adults with balanitis xerotic obliterans. Materials and Methods: A total of 21 patients were operated on in a 5-year period, using the meatoplasty technique of Malone. Mean patient age was 41.7 years (range 7-75). Mean postoperative follow-up was 40.8 months (range 6-54). The surgical procedure consisted in making a small ventral incision of the urethral meatus with an extensive dorsal meatotomy, correcting the esthetic defect of the gland with an inverted V-shaped relieving incision. The postoperative evaluation was performed in every patient by written questionnaire informing about the functional and cosmetic results of the surgical technique. Results: No post-surgical complications or recurrences of the urethral stenosis were recorded. A total of 18 patients (85.7%) replied to the post-surgical questionnaire. All were very satisfied with the functional result. Fifteen (83.3%) were also very satisfied with the cosmetic results of the technique. Conclusion: The meatoplasty of Malone is a good alternative for the treatment of urethral meatal stenosis. It is an easy and rapid-to-perform technique. It avoids creating a hypospadiac meatus and achieves good postoperative results.

Objetivo: Presentar nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento de estenosis severa localizada en el meato uretral en niños y adultos con balanitis xerótica obliterante. Material y métodos: Un total de 21 pacientes con una edad promedio de 41,7 (7-75) años fueron operados en un período de 5 años utilizando la técnica de meatoplastia según Malone. El seguimiento postoperatorio medio fue 40,8 (6-54) meses. El procedimiento quirúrgico consistió en una pequeña incisión ventral del meato uretral seguida por una meatotomía dorsal profunda, corrigiendo el defecto estético a nivel del glande a través de una sutura en «V» invertida. La evaluación postoperatoria fue realizada en todos los pacientes a través de encuesta escrita que informaba de los resultados funcionales y estéticos de la técnica quirúrgica. Resultados: No se registraron complicaciones postoperatorias, ni tampoco recidiva de la estenosis uretral. Dieciocho pacientes (85,7%) respondieron el cuestionario de evaluación postoperatoria, todos muy satisfechos con el resultado funcional conseguido. Quince de ellos (83,3%) refirieron estar también muy satisfechos con el resultado estético de dicha técnica. Conclusión: La meatoplastia según Malone es una buena alternativa para el tratamiento de la estenosis de meato uretral. Es una técnica fácil, que puede realizarse rápidamente. Evita llevar a cabo un meato hipospádico y consigue buenos resultados postoperatorios.

The collection efficiency of a laboratory scale plate-wire electrostatic precipitator, operating in the removal of airborne PM2.5, was carried out. The variables investigated were the applied potential (V), the gas velocity (v o), the diameter of the discharge electrodes (2rSE), the distance between electrodes (2c) and of the total precipitator length (L NE). The test particles were high grade alumina with median diameter of 0.6 micrometers and maximum diameter of 2.5 micrometers. The results showed, qualitatively, a good agreement with the theory of electrostatic precipitation. Quantitatively, the results were compared to predictions from two existing correlations from the literature and both underestimated the precipitator overall efficiency when using the assumption of pseudo-homogeneous electrical field strength. The predictions improved significantly when the field strength was calculated with the equation proposed by Kihm et al. (1985, 1987) and included a homogeneous space charge, as proposed by Riehle (1997).