Abstract This article aims to evaluate the factors associated with a skin-to-skin contact time <180 min/day in newborns weighing up to 1,800 g during neonatal hospitalization. Prospective observational cohort study conducted in neonatal units of reference for the Kangaroo Method in Brazil. Data from 405 dyads (mother/child) were analyzed from May 2018 to March 2020. Maternal and neonatal explanatory variables were collected from medical records and interviews. Skin-to-skin contact was recorded in forms posted at the bedside, filled out by parents and staff. The outcome variable was the mean time of skin-to-skin contact < 180 min/day. Hierarchical modeling was performed by Poisson regression with robust variance. The variables associated with the outcome were “without easy access to the hospital”, “without previous knowledge of the kangaroo method” and “having had morbidities during pregnancy”. Mothers without easy access to the hospital and who are unaware of the kangaroo method should be priority targets for health policies to develop strategies that promote greater exposure to skin-to-skin contact during the hospitalization period of their children.

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar os fatores associados ao tempo de contato pele a pele < 180 min/dia em recém-nascidos com peso até 1.800 g durante a internação neonatal. Estudo observacional tipo coorte prospectivo conduzido em unidades neonatais de referência no Brasil. Foram analisados dados de 405 díades (mãe/filho), no período de maio de 2018 a março de 2020. As características da mãe e do recém-nascido foram coletadas em prontuários e entrevistas, a realização do contato pele-a-pele era registrada em fichas anexadas ao leito, preenchidas pela equipe e pelos pais. A variável desfecho foi o tempo médio diário de contato pele-a-pele inferior a 180 minutos. Foi realizada modelagem hierarquizada utilizando a regressão de Poisson com variância robusta para cálculo das razões de prevalência. As variáveis que permaneceram independentemente associadas foram: “não ter fácil acesso ao hospital” (morar longe ou ter dificuldade de transporte), “não possuir conhecimento prévio sobre o método canguru” e “ter apresentado morbidades durante a gestação”. Mães sem fácil acesso ao hospital e que desconhecem o método canguru devem ser alvos prioritários das políticas de saúde para desenvolver estratégias que promovam maior exposição ao contato pele a pele durante o período de internação de seus filhos.

Abstract This article aims to evaluate the factors associated with a skin-to-skin contact time <180 min/day in newborns weighing up to 1,800 g during neonatal hospitalization. Prospective observational cohort study conducted in neonatal units of reference for the Kangaroo Method in Brazil. Data from 405 dyads (mother/child) were analyzed from May 2018 to March 2020. Maternal and neonatal explanatory variables were collected from medical records and interviews. Skin-to-skin contact was recorded in forms posted at the bedside, filled out by parents and staff. The outcome variable was the mean time of skin-to-skin contact < 180 min/day. Hierarchical modeling was performed by Poisson regression with robust variance. The variables associated with the outcome were “without easy access to the hospital”, “without previous knowledge of the kangaroo method” and “having had morbidities during pregnancy”. Mothers without easy access to the hospital and who are unaware of the kangaroo method should be priority targets for health policies to develop strategies that promote greater exposure to skin-to-skin contact during the hospitalization period of their children.

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar os fatores associados ao tempo de contato pele a pele < 180 min/dia em recém-nascidos com peso até 1.800 g durante a internação neonatal. Estudo observacional tipo coorte prospectivo conduzido em unidades neonatais de referência no Brasil. Foram analisados dados de 405 díades (mãe/filho), no período de maio de 2018 a março de 2020. As características da mãe e do recém-nascido foram coletadas em prontuários e entrevistas, a realização do contato pele-a-pele era registrada em fichas anexadas ao leito, preenchidas pela equipe e pelos pais. A variável desfecho foi o tempo médio diário de contato pele-a-pele inferior a 180 minutos. Foi realizada modelagem hierarquizada utilizando a regressão de Poisson com variância robusta para cálculo das razões de prevalência. As variáveis que permaneceram independentemente associadas foram: “não ter fácil acesso ao hospital” (morar longe ou ter dificuldade de transporte), “não possuir conhecimento prévio sobre o método canguru” e “ter apresentado morbidades durante a gestação”. Mães sem fácil acesso ao hospital e que desconhecem o método canguru devem ser alvos prioritários das políticas de saúde para desenvolver estratégias que promovam maior exposição ao contato pele a pele durante o período de internação de seus filhos.

Abstract Objective To describe the beginning, duration, location and who makes skin-to-skin contact in Brazilian neonatal units. Methods This is a descriptive, longitudinal multicenter study, carried out from May 2018 to March 2020, in five reference neonatal units for Kangaroo Mother Care in Brazil, which included newborns weighing up to 1,800 grams. Maternal and newborn characteristics were collected from medical records and interviews. Skin-to-skin contact was recorded on cards attached to the bed, filled in by the team and fathers. Analysis occurred through descriptive statistics. Results We included 405 newborns, 51.4% male, median gestational age of 31.4 weeks and birth weight of 1,412 grams. Regarding skin-to-skin contact time, the median daily contact frequency was 1.5 times (IQR: 1.2 - 2.4), the time/day was 147 min/day (IQR: 106.7 - 263.0) and the first contact at five days of life (IQR:4.0-8.0). The longest contact time/day was performed by mothers, with a median of 137.8 minutes per day (IQR:95.6-232.1), and the second stage of kangaroo Mother Care, kangaroo Intermediate Care Unit, was the place where contact was performed for the longest time, with a median of 184.4 minutes per day (IQR:124.7-455.4). Conclusion In the units assessed, skin-to-skin contact is practiced intermittently, a few times a day, predominantly by mothers and with longer exposure time in the second stage. It is necessary to seek ways that allow more encounters between mother/father-child and that gives conditions of greater permanence of fathers in the hospital.

Resumen Objetivo Describir el inicio, duración, lugar y quién realiza el contacto piel con piel en unidades neonatales brasileñas. Métodos Estudio multicéntrico descriptivo, longitudinal, realizado de mayo de 2018 a marzo de 2020, en cinco unidades neonatales de referencia del Método Canguro en Brasil, que incluyó recién nacidos de hasta 1800 g de peso. Las características maternas y de los recién nacidos fueron recopiladas en historias clínicas y entrevistas. La práctica del contacto piel con piel fue registrada en tarjetas anexadas a la cama, completadas por el equipo y por los padres. El análisis se realizó mediante estadística descriptiva. Resultados Se incluyeron 405 recién nacidos, 51,4 % de sexo masculino, mediana de 31,4 semanas de edad gestacional y de 1412 g de peso al nacer. Con relación al tiempo de realización del contacto piel con piel, la mediana de la frecuencia del contacto diario fue 1,5 veces (IIQ: 1,2 - 2,4), el tiempo/día fue de 147 min/día (IIQ: 106,7 - 263,0) y la realización del primer contacto a los cinco días de vida (IIQ:4,0-8,0). El mayor tiempo de contacto/día fue realizado por las madres, con una mediana de 137,8 min/día (IIQ:95,6-232,1) y la segunda etapa del Método Canguro, la Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios Canguro, fue el lugar donde se realizó el contacto por mayor tiempo, con una mediana de 184,4 min/día (IIQ:124,7-455,4). Conclusión En las unidades analizadas, el contacto piel con piel se practica de forma intermitente, pocas veces por día, predominantemente por las madres y con mayor tiempo de exposición en la segunda etapa. Es necesario buscar medios que permitan más encuentros entre madre/padre-hijo y que ofrezcan condiciones de mayor permanencia de los progenitores en el hospital.

Resumo Objetivo Descrever o início, duração, local e quem realiza o contato pele a pele em unidades neonatais brasileiras. Métodos Estudo multicêntrico descritivo, longitudinal, realizado de maio de 2018 a março de 2020, em cinco unidades neonatais referência para o Método Canguru no Brasil, que incluiu recém-nascidos com peso até 1800g. As características maternas e dos recém-nascidos foram coletadas em prontuários e entrevistas. A prática do contato pele a pele era registrada em cartões anexados ao leito, preenchidos pela equipe e pelos pais. A análise ocorreu por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultados Foram incluídos 405 recém-nascidos, 51,4% do sexo masculino, mediana de idade gestacional de 31,4 semanas e de peso ao nascimento de 1.412g. Em relação ao tempo de realização do contato pele a pele, a mediana da frequência do contato diário foi de 1,5 vezes (IIQ: 1,2 - 2,4), o tempo/dia de 147 min/dia (IIQ: 106,7 - 263,0) e a realização do primeiro contato aos cinco dias de vida (IIQ:4,0-8,0). O maior tempo de contato/dia foi realizado pelas mães, com mediana de 137,8 min/dia (IIQ:95,6-232,1) e a segunda etapa do Método Canguru, Unidade de Cuidados Intermediários Canguru, foi o local onde se realizou por maior tempo o contato, com mediana de 184,4 min/dia (IIQ:124,7-455,4). Conclusão Nas unidades avaliadas, o contato pele a pele é praticado de forma intermitente, poucas vezes por dia, predominantemente pelas mães e com maior tempo de exposição na segunda etapa. É necessário buscar meios que possibilitem mais encontros entre mãe/pai-filho e que dê condições de maior permanência dos genitores no hospital.

ABSTRACT OBJETIVE To understand the role of exposure to skin-to-skin contact and its minimum duration in determining exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge in infants weighing up to 1,800g at birth. METHODS A multicenter cohort study was carried out in five Brazilian neonatal units. Infants weighing ≤ 1,800g at birth were eligible. Skin-to-skin contact time was recorded by the health care team and parents on an individual chart. Maternal and infant data was obtained from maternal questionnaires and medical records. The Classification Tree, a machine learning method, was used for data analysis; the tree growth algorithm, using statistical tests, partitions the dataset into mutually exclusive subsets that best describe the response variable and calculates appropriate cut-off points for continuous variables, thus generating an efficient explanatory model for the outcome under study. RESULTS A total of 388 infants participated in the study, with a median of 31.6 (IQR = 29–31.8) weeks of gestation age and birth weight of 1,429g (IQR = 1,202–1,610). The exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge was 61.6%. For infant’s weighting between 1,125g and 1,655g, exposed to skin-to-skin contact was strongly associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Moreover, infants who made an average > 149.6 min/day of skin-to-skin contact had higher chances in this outcome (74% versus 46%). In this group, those who received a severity score (SNAPPE-II) equal to zero increased their chances of breastfeeding (83% versus 63%). CONCLUSION Skin-to-skin contact proved to be of great relevance in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge for preterm infants weighing 1,125g–1,655g at birth, especially in those with lower severity scores.

ABSTRACT OBJETIVE To understand the role of exposure to skin-to-skin contact and its minimum duration in determining exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge in infants weighing up to 1,800g at birth. METHODS A multicenter cohort study was carried out in five Brazilian neonatal units. Infants weighing ≤ 1,800g at birth were eligible. Skin-to-skin contact time was recorded by the health care team and parents on an individual chart. Maternal and infant data was obtained from maternal questionnaires and medical records. The Classification Tree, a machine learning method, was used for data analysis; the tree growth algorithm, using statistical tests, partitions the dataset into mutually exclusive subsets that best describe the response variable and calculates appropriate cut-off points for continuous variables, thus generating an efficient explanatory model for the outcome under study. RESULTS A total of 388 infants participated in the study, with a median of 31.6 (IQR = 29–31.8) weeks of gestation age and birth weight of 1,429g (IQR = 1,202–1,610). The exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge was 61.6%. For infant’s weighting between 1,125g and 1,655g, exposed to skin-to-skin contact was strongly associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Moreover, infants who made an average > 149.6 min/day of skin-to-skin contact had higher chances in this outcome (74% versus 46%). In this group, those who received a severity score (SNAPPE-II) equal to zero increased their chances of breastfeeding (83% versus 63%). CONCLUSION Skin-to-skin contact proved to be of great relevance in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge for preterm infants weighing 1,125g–1,655g at birth, especially in those with lower severity scores.

O objetivo foi analisar a dinâmica que envolve a oferta de cuidados paliativos para crianças elegíveis, na perspectiva de profissionais e familiares. Foi realizado estudo exploratório qualitativo do tipo de casos múltiplos. Trata-se de um recorte dos dados de tese que avaliou o cuidado oferecido a crianças internadas, elegíveis para cuidados paliativos. Os dados foram coletados em hospital de ensino, referência para atendimento de alta complexidade, em São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil, entre outubro de 2016 e julho de 2017, interpretados por análise temática. Os participantes foram 18 familiares e 30 profissionais. As unidades de caso envolveram nove crianças, entre um e oito anos de idade, sendo cinco casos elegíveis para cuidados exclusivos e quatro para cuidados integrados. Três categorias emergiram das falas: (1) compreensão equivocada do conceito de cuidados paliativos; (2) comunicação da notícia; (3) integralidade e fragmentação no contexto dos cuidados paliativos. A compreensão equivocada dos cuidados paliativos pediátricos interferiu na abordagem criança/familiar e postergou o início dos cuidados. Sentimentos de insegurança, medo, resistência e culpa estiveram presentes entre os envolvidos nesse cuidado. O processo de comunicação e as relações apresentaram fragilidades. O cuidado perpassou por integralidade e fragmentação. O cuidado apresenta fragilidades e falta de conhecimento, demanda investimentos na formação e no preparo dos profissionais, no compartilhamento de decisões e no acolhimento dos familiares. Os cuidados paliativos mexem com valores culturais-religiosos de vida e morte, e a educação nesse sentido mostra-se como um caminho cheio de desafios, dentre vários outros necessários.

The objective was to analyze the dynamic involving the supply of palliative care for eligible children from the perspective of health professionals and families. A qualitative exploratory multiple case study was performed. This was a cross-section of data from a thesis that evaluated care for hospitalized children who were eligible for palliative care. The data were collected in a teaching hospital serving as the reference for high-complexity care in São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil, from October 2016 to July 2017, interpreted with thematic analysis. The participants were 18 family members and 30 health professionals. Cases were nine children from one to eight years of age, five of whom were eligible for exclusive care and four for integrated care. Three categories emerged from the interviews: (1) a mistaken understanding of the concept of palliative care; (2) delivering the news; and (3) comprehensiveness and fragmentation in the context of palliative care. The mistaken understanding of pediatric palliative care interfered in the approach to the child and family and delayed the start of care. Feelings of insecurity, fear, resistance, and guilt were present among those involved in this care. The communication process and relations displayed weaknesses. The care involved both comprehensiveness and fragmentation. The care shows weaknesses and lack of knowledge and requires investments in training and preparing the health professionals, shared decisions, and receptiveness to the families. Palliative care mobilizes life-and-death cultural and religious values, and education in this direction proves to be a path full of challenges.

El objetivo fue analizar la dinámica que implica la oferta de cuidados paliativos para niños elegibles, desde la perspectiva de profesionales y familiares. Se realizó un estudio exploratorio cualitativo del tipo de estudio de casos múltiples. Se trata de un fragmento de los datos procedentes de una tesis que evaluó el cuidado ofrecido a niños internados elegibles para cuidados paliativos. Los datos se recogieron en un hospital universitario de referencia para la atención de alta complejidad, en São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil, desde octubre de 2016 hasta julio de 2017, interpretados mediante análisis temático. Los participantes fueron 18 familiares y 30 profesionales. Las unidades de caso implicaron a 9 niños, entre uno y ocho años de edad, siendo 5 casos elegibles para cuidados exclusivos y 4 para cuidados integrados. Emergieron de las charlas tres categorías: (1) comprensión equivocada del concepto de cuidados paliativos; (2) comunicación de la noticia; (3) integralidad y fragmentación en el contexto de los cuidados paliativos. La comprensión equivocada de los cuidados paliativos pediátricos interfirió en el abordaje niño/familiar y postergó el inicio de los cuidados. Estuvieron presentes sentimientos de inseguridad, miedo, resistencia y culpa entre los implicados en este cuidado. El proceso de comunicación y las relaciones presentaron fragilidades. El cuidado atravesó integralidad y fragmentación. El cuidado presenta fragilidades y falta de conocimiento, y demanda inversiones en la formación y preparación de los profesionales, así como compartir decisiones, y acoger familiares. Los cuidados paliativos impulsan valores culturales-religiosos de vida y muerte y la educación, en ese sentido, se muestra como un camino lleno de desafíos, entre otros tantos necesarios.

O objetivo foi analisar a dinâmica que envolve a oferta de cuidados paliativos para crianças elegíveis, na perspectiva de profissionais e familiares. Foi realizado estudo exploratório qualitativo do tipo de casos múltiplos. Trata-se de um recorte dos dados de tese que avaliou o cuidado oferecido a crianças internadas, elegíveis para cuidados paliativos. Os dados foram coletados em hospital de ensino, referência para atendimento de alta complexidade, em São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil, entre outubro de 2016 e julho de 2017, interpretados por análise temática. Os participantes foram 18 familiares e 30 profissionais. As unidades de caso envolveram nove crianças, entre um e oito anos de idade, sendo cinco casos elegíveis para cuidados exclusivos e quatro para cuidados integrados. Três categorias emergiram das falas: (1) compreensão equivocada do conceito de cuidados paliativos; (2) comunicação da notícia; (3) integralidade e fragmentação no contexto dos cuidados paliativos. A compreensão equivocada dos cuidados paliativos pediátricos interferiu na abordagem criança/familiar e postergou o início dos cuidados. Sentimentos de insegurança, medo, resistência e culpa estiveram presentes entre os envolvidos nesse cuidado. O processo de comunicação e as relações apresentaram fragilidades. O cuidado perpassou por integralidade e fragmentação. O cuidado apresenta fragilidades e falta de conhecimento, demanda investimentos na formação e no preparo dos profissionais, no compartilhamento de decisões e no acolhimento dos familiares. Os cuidados paliativos mexem com valores culturais-religiosos de vida e morte, e a educação nesse sentido mostra-se como um caminho cheio de desafios, dentre vários outros necessários.

The objective was to analyze the dynamic involving the supply of palliative care for eligible children from the perspective of health professionals and families. A qualitative exploratory multiple case study was performed. This was a cross-section of data from a thesis that evaluated care for hospitalized children who were eligible for palliative care. The data were collected in a teaching hospital serving as the reference for high-complexity care in São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil, from October 2016 to July 2017, interpreted with thematic analysis. The participants were 18 family members and 30 health professionals. Cases were nine children from one to eight years of age, five of whom were eligible for exclusive care and four for integrated care. Three categories emerged from the interviews: (1) a mistaken understanding of the concept of palliative care; (2) delivering the news; and (3) comprehensiveness and fragmentation in the context of palliative care. The mistaken understanding of pediatric palliative care interfered in the approach to the child and family and delayed the start of care. Feelings of insecurity, fear, resistance, and guilt were present among those involved in this care. The communication process and relations displayed weaknesses. The care involved both comprehensiveness and fragmentation. The care shows weaknesses and lack of knowledge and requires investments in training and preparing the health professionals, shared decisions, and receptiveness to the families. Palliative care mobilizes life-and-death cultural and religious values, and education in this direction proves to be a path full of challenges.

El objetivo fue analizar la dinámica que implica la oferta de cuidados paliativos para niños elegibles, desde la perspectiva de profesionales y familiares. Se realizó un estudio exploratorio cualitativo del tipo de estudio de casos múltiples. Se trata de un fragmento de los datos procedentes de una tesis que evaluó el cuidado ofrecido a niños internados elegibles para cuidados paliativos. Los datos se recogieron en un hospital universitario de referencia para la atención de alta complejidad, en São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil, desde octubre de 2016 hasta julio de 2017, interpretados mediante análisis temático. Los participantes fueron 18 familiares y 30 profesionales. Las unidades de caso implicaron a 9 niños, entre uno y ocho años de edad, siendo 5 casos elegibles para cuidados exclusivos y 4 para cuidados integrados. Emergieron de las charlas tres categorías: (1) comprensión equivocada del concepto de cuidados paliativos; (2) comunicación de la noticia; (3) integralidad y fragmentación en el contexto de los cuidados paliativos. La comprensión equivocada de los cuidados paliativos pediátricos interfirió en el abordaje niño/familiar y postergó el inicio de los cuidados. Estuvieron presentes sentimientos de inseguridad, miedo, resistencia y culpa entre los implicados en este cuidado. El proceso de comunicación y las relaciones presentaron fragilidades. El cuidado atravesó integralidad y fragmentación. El cuidado presenta fragilidades y falta de conocimiento, y demanda inversiones en la formación y preparación de los profesionales, así como compartir decisiones, y acoger familiares. Los cuidados paliativos impulsan valores culturales-religiosos de vida y muerte y la educación, en ese sentido, se muestra como un camino lleno de desafíos, entre otros tantos necesarios.

Resumo Introdução A crescente utilização de recursos de terapia intensiva neonatal para manter a vida dos recém-nascidos enfermos pode gerar estímulos dolorosos, causando sofrimento a eles. Porém, nem sempre essa dor é percebida pelos profissionais envolvidos no cuidado, embora já exista um interesse crescente por parte deles nesse sentido. Objetivo Avaliar a percepção de dor do recém-nascido por profissionais de saúde que atuam em unidade neonatal. Método Pesquisa qualitativa do tipo exploratória, realizada em um hospital de referência em cuidado neonatal de uma capital do Nordeste. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com todos os profissionais que atuavam na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal e/ou na Unidade de Cuidados Intermediários em cuidado direto com o recém-nascido. Utilizou-se da análise de conteúdo na modalidade temática, e os resultados foram agrupados em categorias. Resultados Foram realizadas 36 entrevistas. Os profissionais entrevistados reconheceram que a dor neonatal foi historicamente negligenciada e que hoje as evidências científicas comprovam sua existência. Foram identificadas carência na formação no tema e fragilidade na aplicação do conhecimento na prática. Conclusão Os profissionais têm conhecimento sobre a dor neonatal, entretanto quase não utilizam os parâmetros fisiológicos e possuem pouco conhecimento sobre a literatura científica atual. O principal desafio diz respeito à necessidade de uso sistemático de escalas que garantam a avaliação da dor.

Abstract Background The increasing use of neonatal intensive care resources to maintain the lives of sick infants can generate painful stimuli and cause distress for them. However, this pain is not always perceived by the professionals involved in the care, although there is already an increasing interest on the part of the professionals involved in care. Objective To evaluate the perception of health professionals, who works in a neonatal unit related to newborn pain. Method Qualitative research of the exploratory type was carried out in a reference hospital in neonatal care of a capital of the Northeast. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all professionals working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and / or Intermediate Care Unit in direct care of the newborn. Content Analysis was used in the thematic modality and the results were grouped into categories. Results 36 interviews were conducted. The professionals interviewed acknowledged that neonatal pain was historically neglected and that scientific evidence today confirms its existence. It was identified lack in the training in the theme and fragility in the application of the knowledge in the practice. Conclusion The professionals have knowledge about neonatal pain; however they still use little physiological parameters and have little knowledge of current scientific literature. The main challenge is the need for systematic use of scales that guarantee the evaluation of pain.

ABSTRACT An asymmetric membrane of polysulfone (PSf) was synthesized by phase inversion method. Permeation experiments were carried out between 2 to 5 bar pressure, and at temperatures 20 to 45°C. The dense-selective layer of PSf membrane presents regular thickness (about 5 µm), and was not possible to observe the formation of macrovoids in porous layer. The CO2 permeability through membrane was 18.8 Barrer at 35°C and 2 bar pressure, and this relationship between the pressure and the CO2 permeability was described adequately by Dual-mode model. The absence of CH4 permeability at 2 and 3 bar pressure, qualifies the PSf membrane for gases separation with high selectivity in this range.

ABSTRACT The membrane separation capacity allows the retention of the remaining organic matter that could not be removed by the biological process, increasing the treatment efficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microfiltration (MF) process in a tertiary treatment system for landfill leachate from the Rincão das Flores, Caxias do Sul/RS/Brazil. The microfiltration system of commercial hollow fiber membrane poly(etherimide) was tested in oder to promote leachate treatment. The tests carried out were leachate permeation, concentration factor, determination of fouling and obtention of the values of the resitance to the flux. The resistance due to fouling and flux decline were evaluated to determine the best operating conditions. The potential for fouling was 53% and was evaluated by comparing the pure water permeability before and after the leachate filtration. It was observed that the resistance due to fouling express 32% of the total resistance. The results showed that the MF process allows the elimination of up to 43% of the organic matter measured as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 63% of that measured as biological oxygen demand (BOD5).

Oil is a major pollutant of water resources, affects aquatic life, causing environmental degradation. Currently there is an increase in studies of membrane applied to separation of oil-water. Among these membranes, there are composite membranes, which show as main characteristic an association of organic and inorganic membrane properties. In a tangential flow process, the ceramic tube (support) is responsible for the mechanical strength of the membrane and the selective barrier property of the membrane is established by the polymer. The aim of this work is the application of α-alumina/polyamide 66 composite membrane in the retention of sunflower oil from oil-water emulsions and the study of resistance of such membranes in ultrafiltration processes. The α-alumina ceramic tubes were impregnated internally with a solution of polyamide 66 (PA66) (5% w/v) and tested with distilled water and sunflower oil solutions at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg·L-1. Membranes impregnated with PA66 showed a sunflower oil retention between 53.5 and 99.5% and superior membrane resistance (MR) to the permeate flux (1.92 x 1013 a 5.52 x 1013) which explains the decrease in the permeate volume.

This paper aims the morphological and structural characterization of ceramic membranes of mullite and their application in the removal of Escherichia coli. A complex irregular structure presented by the pores of the membrane was verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average pore size and distribution were determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry. The average pore size of the material presented was 0,39 µm. Microfiltration tests resulted in a protein retention of 46, 76 and 89% for trypsin (TR), egg albumin (EA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), proving the efficiency of the membrane microfiltration tests for molecular weight of 69 kDa. The application of the membranes on the retention of gram-negative bacterium E. coliresulted in a 66% efficiency at a pressure of 200 kPa and a 98% efficiency when applied a pressure of 50 kPa. Therefore, the use of mullite membranes show limited efficiency towards bacteria retention. Nevertheless, they present fluxes similar to other materials proposed in the literature.

In this study, polymer/ceramic composite membranes were prepared and characterized. The polymer used was polyamide 66 (PA66) deposited by dip coating on the inner surface of α-alumina-based (Al2O3) microporous tube. A coating on the ceramic support surface and the formation of the selective layer was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in membranes with one (PA-1) and two layers (PA-2). The results of mercury porosimetry showed that the deposition of the polyamide layers decreases the average pore size. The PA-1 presented an average pore size of 0.35 μm, while the PA-2 presented two peaks of 0.18 and 0.56 μm. Both showed a superior performance than the ceramic support (pore diameter of 0.65 μm). Although, the permeate flux was higher with an impregnation membrane, the number of layers (one or two) just introduced a slight difference in pore statistical analysis. The order of rejection coefficient values for protein molecules is BSA > egg albumin > trypsin. The permeation tests showed that the composite membrane can be applied in ultrafiltration processes with MWCO of 69 kDa.

In this work, a protocol for the formulation of an enzyme concentrated product to be applied in fruit juice treatment is described. Downstream processing conditions for the recovery and concentration of pectinases produced by the new strain Aspergillus niger LB-02-SF in solid state cultivation were assessed. The solid-liquid ratio in the extraction step of pectinases recovery from the cultivated media was evaluated and the highest activity was obtained with a solid-liquid ratio of 1:10. The crude extract was concentrated by ultrafiltration and the total pectinase (TP) activity was 73.6-fold concentrated in relation to the crude extract, and a final TP titer of 663 U mL–1 was obtained with 73.7% of recovery yield. KCl and different glycerol concentrations were added to the concentrated extract and the stability of pectinases during the storage at 5°C for 59 weeks was tested. The formulation with 50% w/w glycerol was applied to the treatment of apple and grape juices and the results of these tests were statistically comparable to those obtained with two high-quality commercial preparations.

This study aims to evaluate the influence of pro-oxidant additive and accelerated aging on the degradation of polyethylene (PE) samples in simulated soil, in accordance with ASTM G160-03. Films of polyethylene with and without pro-oxidant additive were studied, before and after 72 hours of accelerated aging. The films were initially characterized by analyses of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) (to evaluate the Carbonyl Index (CI)). The films were exposed for 30, 60 and 90 days in simulated soil, with controlled moisture and soil pH. The results showed the degradation of polyethylene films through an increase of CI in samples with additive and accelerated aging after 30 days of exposure, and a decrease, after 60 and 90 days, indicating the uptake of material oxidation by-products by microorganisms. The polyethylene films without pro-oxidant additive after accelerated aging showed greater structural and surface modifications, as compared to films with the additive.