Browsing by Author "Rodriguez, J"

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    Emissions of industrial sources converted to natural gas
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC, 2001) Rivera, JD; Rodriguez, J
    Fifty-five fixed sources from industry were tested for CO and NOx emissions, before and after being converted to natural gas. Measured emissions in terms of ppm corrected to 20% excess air and the standard deviation of the sample are summarized. From this darn, emission factors are calculated and compared to the ones reported by EPA AP-42 compilation. In general there is good agreement between both sets of data. Additionally, emission factors in terms of kg of pollutant per MJ of net heat released is calculated in order to compare emissions with different fuels. In general, NOx emissions are reduced with conversion to natural gas, except in high temperature processes. Changes in CO emissions are not clear dire to high dispersion on the data. However it seems there is a potential to improve CO emissions with simple measures.
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    Lignin biodegradation by the ascomycete Chrysonilia sitophila
    (1997) Rodriguez, J; Ferraz, A; Nogueira, RFP; Ferrer, I; Esposito, E; Duran, N
    The lignin biodegradation process has an important role in the carbon cycle of the biosphere. The study of this natural process has developed mainly with the use of basidiomycetes in laboratory investigations. This has been a logical approach since most of the microorganisms involved in lignocellulosic degradation belong to this class of fungi. However, other microorganisms such as ascomycetes and also some bacteria, are involved in the lignin decaying process. This work focuses on lignin biodegradation by a microorganism belonging to the ascomycete class, Chrysonilia sitophila. Lignin peroxidase production and characterization, mechanisms of lignin degradation (lignin model compounds and lignin in wood matrix) and biosynthesis of veratryl alcohol are outstanding. Applications of C. sitophila for effluent treatment, wood biodegradation and single-cell protein production are also discussed.
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    Oral alendronate induces progressive increases in bone mass of the spine, hip, and total body over 3 years in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
    (1996) Devogelaer, JP; Broll, H; CorreaRotter, R; Cumming, DC; DeDeuxchaisnes, CN; Geusens, P; Hosking, D; Jaeger, P; Kaufman, JM; Leite, M; Leon, J; Liberman, U; Menkes, CJ; Meunier, PJ; Reid, I; Rodriguez, J; Romanowicz, A; Seeman, E; Vermeulen, A; Hirsch, LJ; Lombardi, A; Plezia, K; Santora, AC; Yates, AJ; Yuan, W
    To determine the effects of long-term daily oral alendronate sodium (ALN) on bone mass in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 19 centers enrolled 516 postmenopausal women aged 45-80 gears with spine bone mineral density (BMD) at least 2.5 SD below the mean for young premenopausal women in a 3-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Subjects were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: placebo; alendronate, 5 or 10 mg/day for 3 years; or alendronate, 20 mg/day for 2 years followed by 5 mg/day for the 3rd year, All patients received 500 mg/day of supplemental calcium to ensure adequate calcium intake. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at several skeletal sites, Nonsignificant mean decreases in BMD of the spine, femoral neck, and trochanter of 0.6, 0.7, and 0.4%, respectively, occurred in the placebo group at 3 gears, Relative to placebo-treated patients, spine BMD increased by 5.4%, 7.4%, and 8.4% in the 5, 10, and 20/5 mg ALN groups, respectively, Increases at the femoral neck were 3.5%, 5.5%, and 4.3%, and those at the trochanter were 5.1%, 7.2%, and 7.2%, respectively, Thus, efficacy of 10 and 20/5 mg ALN was similar, whereas the 5 mg dose was less effective, BMD continued to increase over the entire 3-year study duration in the ALN-treated groups and, compared with the other dosage groups, 10 mg ALN produced the largest gains in BMD during the 3rd year, Changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover and mineral homeostasis confirmed the effect of ALN to decrease bone turnover to a new steady-state level, The safety and tolerability of ALN were comparable with those of placebo, In summary, 10 mg daily oral ALN given for 3 years significantly and progressively increases bone mass and is a generally well-tolerated treatment for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.