Lactate oxidation is linked to energy conservation and to oxygen detoxification via a putative terminal cytochrome oxidase in Methanosarcina acetivorans.

The marine archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans contains a putative NAD + -independent d-lactate dehydrogenase (D-iLDH/glycolate oxidase) encoded by the MA4631 gene, belonging to the FAD-oxidase C superfamily. Nucleotide sequences similar to MA4631 gene, were identified in other methanogens and Firmicutes with >90 and 35-40% identity, respectively. Therefore, the lactate metabolism in M. acetivorans is reported here. Cells subjected to intermittent pulses of oxygen (air-adapted; AA-Ma cells) consumed lactate only in combination with acetate, increasing methane production and biomass yield. In AA-Ma cells incubated with d-lactate plus [14C]-l-lactate, the radioactive label was found in methane, CO2 and glycogen, indicating that lactate metabolism fed both methanogenesis and gluconeogenesis. Moreover, d-lactate oxidation was coupled to O2-consumption which was sensitive to HQNO; also, AA-Ma cells showed high transcript levels of gene dld and those encoding subunits A (MA1006) and B (MA1007) of a putative cytochrome bd quinol oxidase, compared to anaerobic control cells. An E. coli mutant deficient in dld complemented with the MA4631 gene, grew with d-lactate as carbon source and showed membrane-bound d-lactate:quinone oxidoreductase activity. The product of the MA4631 gene is a FAD-containing monomer showing activity of iLDH with preference to d-lactate. The results suggested that air adapted M. acetivorans is able to co-metabolize lactate and acetate with associated oxygen consumption by triggering the transcription and synthesis of the D-iLDH and a putative cytochrome bd: methanophenazine (quinol) oxidoreductase. Biomass generation and O2 consumption, suggest a potentially new oxygen detoxification mechanism coupled to energy conservation in this methanogen.

Energy conservation, minimum steps, and adaptations when needed: A scoping review.

Background/objective: Although many therapeutic approaches use energy conservation, only a few effectively report the steps involved. Thus, it is intended to identify energy conservation practices to be organized in flexible and adaptable stages. Methods: A scoping review was carried out, whose search strategies were applied in seven databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Portal BVS, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) following guidelines by Arksey and O'Malley on the Rayyan software. Searches were carried out from January 2010 to December 2020. Inclusion of refered publications with different study designs, participation of adults with or by demands of energy conservation, joint protection, and control of fatigue and/or pain. Exclusion of productions without an occupational therapist or involving merely pharmacological or surgical therapeutic strategies. Results: 653 articles were identified, after the selection and eligibility steps, 30 articles were full review, 18 articles were included and 635 excluded. Energy conservation studies have been increasingly focusing on neurological and systemic diseases, especially regarding symptoms of fatigue and pain. The findings were arranged in six strategies whose interventions are essentially based on guidelines and setting goals for patients, client-centered approach. Merely supervised interventions are less frequent. The number of sessions is closed, but the duration of treatment is not yet. Conclusions: The signs of pain and fatigue are confirmed as indicators of energy conservation strategies, this delivery can be condensed from planning and organization, priorities, activity analysis, balance between activity and rest, outsourcing of tasks and physical/environmental adaptation. Trial Registration OSF: https://osf.io/rsyq4.

A comparative study of the energy, exergetic and thermo-economic performance of a novelty combined Brayton S-CO2-ORC configurations as bottoming cycles.

This paper presents a comparative study on the energy, exergetic and thermo-economic performance of a novelty thermal power system integrated by a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle, and a recuperative organic Rankine cycle (RORC) or a simple organic Rankine cycle (SORC). A thermodynamic model was developed applying the mass, energy and exergy balances to all the equipment, allowing to calculate the exergy destruction in the components. In addition, a sensitivity analysis allowed studying the effect of the primary turbine inlet temperature (TIT, PHIGH, rP and TC) on the net power generated, the thermal and exergy efficiency, and some thermo-economic indicators such as the payback period (PBP), the specific investment cost (SIC), and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), when cyclohexane, acetone and toluene are used as working fluids in the bottoming organic Rankine cycle. The parametric study results show that cyclohexane is the organic fluid that presents the best thermo-economic performance, and the optimization with the PSO method conclude a 2308.91 USD/kWh in the SIC, 0.22 USD/kWh in the LCOE, and 9.89 year in the PBP for the RORC system. Therefore, to obtain technical and economic viability, and increase the industrial applications of these thermal systems, thermo-economic optimizations must be proposed to obtain lower values of the evaluated performance indicators.

A comparative energy and exergy optimization of a supercritical-CO2 Brayton cycle and Organic Rankine Cycle combined system using swarm intelligence algorithms.

This article presents a multivariable optimization of the energy and exergetic performance of a power generation system, which is integrated by a supercritical Brayton Cycle using carbon dioxide, and a Simple Organic Rankine Cycle (SORC) using toluene, with reheater ( S - C O 2 R H - S O R C ), and without reheater ( S - C O 2 N R H - S O R C ) using the PSO algorithm. A thermodynamic model of the integrated system was developed from the application of mass, energy and exergy balances to each component, which allowed the calculation of the exergy destroyed a fraction of each equipment, the power generated, the thermal and exergetic efficiency of the system. In addition, through a sensitivity analysis, the effect of the main operational and design variables on thermal efficiency and total exergy destroyed was studied, which were the objective functions selected in the proposed optimization. The results show that the greatest exergy destruction occurs at the thermal source, with a value of 97 kW for the system without Reheater (NRH), but this is reduced by 92.28% for the system with Reheater (RH). In addition, by optimizing the integrated cycle for a particle number of 25, the maximum thermal efficiency of 55.53% (NRH) was achieved, and 56.95% in the RH system. Likewise, for a particle number of 15 and 20 in the PSO algorithm, exergy destruction was minimized to 60.72 kW (NRH) and 112.06 kW (RH), respectively. Comparative analyses of some swarm intelligence optimization algorithms were conducted for the integrated S-CO2-SORC system, evaluating performance indicators, where the PSO optimization algorithm was favorable in the analyses, guaranteeing that it is the ideal algorithm to solve this case study.

Diseño innovador para remodelación arquitectónica y estudio de eficiencia energética en áreas de rehabilitación integral de la Fundación Teleón Pro Rehabilitación: en asocio con FUNTER / Innovative design for remodeling architectural and efficiency study energy in rehabilitation areas of Teletón Foundation Pro Rehabilitation: in association with FUNTER

Se desarrolló una propuesta de intervención arquitectónica y constructiva de iluminación natural, ventilación y confort térmico para el área de rehabilitación del edificio de la Fundación Teletón Pro Rehabilitación FUNTER. Se diseñó una propuesta de interiorismo para uso eficiente de espacios, mobiliario, iluminación artificial, texturas y colores apropiados para el desarrollo de terapias. Se realizó un estudio de eficiencia energética para proponer medidas de ahorro y uso eficiente de la energía en el edificio. Se diseñó una nueva distribución de espacios en la zona de terapia y se aplicaron criterios de bioclimatismo pasivo, como la ventilación cruzada, ventilación cenital y la apertura de áreas de ventilación basándose en el análisis de vientos del sitio para mejorar la sensación térmica interna. La implementación de un jardín sensorial ayudará a los pacientes de terapia de marcha a interactuar en un área más cercana a las superficies reales del ambiente.

An architectural and constructive intervention proposal for natural lighting, ventilation and thermal comfort was developed for the rehabilitation area of ​​the Teletón Pro Rehabilitation Foundation FUNTER building. An interior design proposal was designed for the efficient use of spaces, furniture, artificial lighting, textures and appropriate colors for the development of therapies. An energy efficiency study was carried out to propose measures for saving and efficient use of energy in the building. A new distribution of spaces was designed in the therapy area and passive bioclimatic criteria were applied, such as cross ventilation, overhead ventilation and the opening of update areas in the site wind analysis to improve the internal thermal sensation. Implementing a sensory garden will help gait therapy patients interact in an area closer to the actual surfaces of the environment.

A phenomenological base semi-physical thermodynamic model for the cylinder and exhaust manifold of a natural gas 2-megawatt four-stroke internal combustion engine.

This paper presents the application of a systematic methodology to obtain a semi-physical model of phenomenological base for a 2 MW internal combustion engine to generate electric power operating with natural gas, as a function of the average thermodynamic value normally measured in industrial applications. Specifically, the application of the methodology is focused on the cylinders, exhaust manifold, and turbocharger turbine sections. The proposed model was validated with actual operating data, obtaining an error rate not exceeding 5%, which allow a thermal characterization of the Jenbacher JMS 612 GS-N based on the model. A parametric analysis is conducted; considering the volumetric efficiency, the output electric power, the effective efficiency, the exhaust gas temperature, the turbine mass flow, the specific fuel consumption under the nominal operation conditions, which is 1.16 bar in the gas pressure, 65 °C in the cooling water temperature, 35 °C in the average ambient temperature, and 1500 rpm. The results of this model can be used to evaluate the thermodynamic performance parameters of waste heat recovery systems. On the other hand, new control strategies and the implementation of state observers for the detection and diagnosis of failures can be developed based on the proposed model.

Balanços energéticos agropecuários: uma importante ferramenta como indicativo de sustentabilidade de agroecossistemas

In Brazil, little attention has been given to the ways energy flows are distributed in the productive systems. In the agriculture, the main focus was directed to new sources of energy (biomass) or in alternative technology, aiming to a rational use of the fossil and electric energy. However, the modern agriculture has been based on massive machines utilization, with a consequent use of fossil fuel. A hard strangulating factor in the general energy consumption has been the intensive use of fertilizers derived from petroleum in the agricultural ecosystems. The agricultural energy system has been developed based on intensive use of fertilizers derivate from petroleum. Studies considering Energy Balance, aim to determine the weak points of those systems and establish the fundaments for energy saver technologies especially fossil source (fuel, fertilizer, pesticides, energy expended in machines, implements, etc.). In Brazil, the South Region where important programs have been developed for a more sustainable agricultural systems according to energy utilization. Under the perspective of eventual energy crisis in the future, the present work was done to analyze the state of the art of Energy Balance studies in Brazil and in the world, as an instrument of sustainability indication in agricultural systems.

No Brasil, pouca atenção se tem dado às formas e caminhos com que os fluxos energéticos se distribuem nos sistemas produtivos. Na agropecuária, a atenção tem sido voltada a novas fontes de energia (biomassa) ou em tecnologia alternativa, visando a racionalização do uso de energia fóssil ou elétrica. Entretanto, a agricultura tem se desenvolvido baseada fortemente na utilização intensiva de máquinas agrícolas, com conseqüente uso de combustíveis fósseis. Um fator de estrangulamento muito forte no consumo energético geral tem sido a utilização massiva de fertilizantes derivados do petróleo nos agroecossistemas. Estudos de Balanços Energéticos visam determinar os pontos de estrangulamento energético fundamentando a busca por tecnologias poupadoras de energia, especialmente aquelas de origem fóssil (combustível, fertilizante, agrotóxicos, energia despendida na fabricação das máquinas e implementos, etc.). No Brasil, a Região Sul, é onde se encontram vários trabalhos buscando uma agricultura mais auto-sustentável, do ponto de vista da utilização da energia. Em vista da possibilidade de eventuais futuras crises energéticas, o presente trabalho procura analisar o estado-da-arte dos estudos em Balanço Energético, no Brasil e no Mundo, como uma ferramenta de indicação da sustentabilidade dos sistemas agropecuários.

Balanços energéticos agropecuários: uma importante ferramenta como indicativo de sustentabilidade de agroecossistemas

In Brazil, little attention has been given to the ways energy flows are distributed in the productive systems. In the agriculture, the main focus was directed to new sources of energy (biomass) or in alternative technology, aiming to a rational use of the fossil and electric energy. However, the modern agriculture has been based on massive machines utilization, with a consequent use of fossil fuel. A hard strangulating factor in the general energy consumption has been the intensive use of fertilizers derived from petroleum in the agricultural ecosystems. The agricultural energy system has been developed based on intensive use of fertilizers derivate from petroleum. Studies considering Energy Balance, aim to determine the weak points of those systems and establish the fundaments for energy saver technologies especially fossil source (fuel, fertilizer, pesticides, energy expended in machines, implements, etc.). In Brazil, the South Region where important programs have been developed for a more sustainable agricultural systems according to energy utilization. Under the perspective of eventual energy crisis in the future, the present work was done to analyze the state of the art of Energy Balance studies in Brazil and in the world, as an instrument of sustainability indication in agricultural systems.

No Brasil, pouca atenção se tem dado às formas e caminhos com que os fluxos energéticos se distribuem nos sistemas produtivos. Na agropecuária, a atenção tem sido voltada a novas fontes de energia (biomassa) ou em tecnologia alternativa, visando a racionalização do uso de energia fóssil ou elétrica. Entretanto, a agricultura tem se desenvolvido baseada fortemente na utilização intensiva de máquinas agrícolas, com conseqüente uso de combustíveis fósseis. Um fator de estrangulamento muito forte no consumo energético geral tem sido a utilização massiva de fertilizantes derivados do petróleo nos agroecossistemas. Estudos de Balanços Energéticos visam determinar os pontos de estrangulamento energético fundamentando a busca por tecnologias poupadoras de energia, especialmente aquelas de origem fóssil (combustível, fertilizante, agrotóxicos, energia despendida na fabricação das máquinas e implementos, etc.). No Brasil, a Região Sul, é onde se encontram vários trabalhos buscando uma agricultura mais auto-sustentável, do ponto de vista da utilização da energia. Em vista da possibilidade de eventuais futuras crises energéticas, o presente trabalho procura analisar o estado-da-arte dos estudos em Balanço Energético, no Brasil e no Mundo, como uma ferramenta de indicação da sustentabilidade dos sistemas agropecuários.