Daniel Innerarity in “Politics for the Perplexed” continues the reflection begun in the aftermath... more Daniel Innerarity in “Politics for the Perplexed” continues the reflection begun in the aftermath of the Great Recession (Innerarity, 2016) on the current challenges facing contemporary democracies, examining the ethical and cultural foundations for the possibility of a new social contract. This social contract is to be based on trust between citizens, but also between them and the various institutions that support liberal democracy. To this end, we are proposed to replace a majority democracy with a negotiation democracy, continuing an “old” theoretical opportunity of the author (Innerarity, 2012). As a desideratum of contemporary societies, negotiation democracy corresponds, in the first place, to an objective and correct diagnosis of the pathologies and dysfunctions of today's western democracies.
Biodesulfurization processes remove toxic and corrosive hydrogen sulfide from gas streams (e.g., ... more Biodesulfurization processes remove toxic and corrosive hydrogen sulfide from gas streams (e.g., natural gas, biogas, or syngas). To improve the efficiency of these processes under haloalkaline conditions, a sulfate and thiosulfate reduction step can be included. The use of H2/CO mixtures (as in syngas) instead of pure H2 was tested to investigate the potential cost reduction of the electron donor required. Syngas is produced in the gas-reforming process and consists mainly of H2, carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Purification of syngas to obtain pure H2 implies higher costs because of additional post-treatment. Therefore, the use of syngas has merit in the biodesulfurization process. Initially, CO inhibited hydrogen-dependent sulfate reduction. However, after 30 days the biomass was adapted and both H2 and CO were used as electron donors. First, formate was produced, followed by sulfate and thiosulfate reduction, and later in the reactor run acetate and methane were d...
After the first commercial applications of a new biological process for the removal of hydrogen s... more After the first commercial applications of a new biological process for the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from low pressure biogas, the need arose to broaden the operating window to also enable the removal of organosulfur compounds from high pressure sour gases. In this study we have selected microorganisms from a full-scale biodesulfurization system that are capable of withstanding the presence of thiols. This full-scale unit has been in stable operation for more than 10 years. We investigated the microbial community by using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons which showed that methanethiol gave a competitive advantage to bacteria belonging to the genera Thioalkalibacter (Halothiobacillaceae family) and Alkalilimnicola (Ectothiorhosdospiraceae family). The sulfide-oxidizing potential of the acclimatized population was investigated under elevated thiol loading rates (4.5-9.1 mM d(-1)), consisting of a mix of methanethiol, ethanethiol, and propanethiol. With th...
In industrial gas biodesulfurization systems, where haloalkaline conditions prevail, a thiosulfat... more In industrial gas biodesulfurization systems, where haloalkaline conditions prevail, a thiosulfate containing bleed stream is produced. This bleed stream can be treated in a separate bioreactor by reducing thiosulfate to sulfide and recycling it. By performing treatment and recycling of the bleed stream, its disposal decreases and less caustics are required to maintain the high pH. In this study, anaerobic microbial thiosulfate conversion to sulfide in a H2/CO2 fed bioreactor operated at haloalkaline conditions was investigated. Thiosulfate was converted by reduction to sulfide as well as disproportionation to sulfide and sulfate. Formate production from H2/CO2 was observed as an important reaction in the bioreactor. Formate, rather than H2, might have been used as the main electron donor by thiosulfate/sulfate-reducing bacteria. The microbial community was dominated by bacteria belonging to the family Clostridiaceae most closely related to Tindallia texcoconensis. Bacteria phylogen...
Applied microbiology and biotechnology, Jan 10, 2015
Haloalkaliphilic microorganisms that grow optimally at high-pH and high-salinity conditions can b... more Haloalkaliphilic microorganisms that grow optimally at high-pH and high-salinity conditions can be found in natural environments such as soda lakes. These globally spread lakes harbour interesting anaerobic microorganisms that have the potential of being applied in existing technologies or create new opportunities. In this review, we discuss the potential application of haloalkaliphilic anaerobic microbial communities in the fermentation of lignocellulosic feedstocks material subjected to an alkaline pre-treatment, methane production and sulfur removal technology. Also, the general advantages of operation at haloalkaline conditions, such as low volatile fatty acid and sulfide toxicity, are addressed. Finally, an outlook into the main challenges like ammonia toxicity and lack of aggregation is provided.
AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, 2010
A team of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with limited communication ranges, communication delays... more A team of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with limited communication ranges, communication delays and limited resources are deployed to search and prosecute static and maneuvering targets in a region. When a UAV detects a target, depending on the target resource requirement, it has to form a coalition for prosecution. Forming a feasible coalition over a time varying network formed by the UAVs in constant flight and prosecuting a maneuvering target are difficult tasks. In this paper, we develop a mechanism to find potential coalition members over a dynamic UAV network and propose a prosecution method where the UAVs cooperate with each other and strike the target at different time instants until the target is destroyed. Simulation results are presented to show how coalitions are formed over a dynamic network with moving targets. We also carry out Monte-Carlo simulations to study the effects of communication ranges and delays. The results show that, when communication delay is less, finding potential coalition members in the network is beneficial, but when the communication delay is significant, determining coalition members from immediate neighborhood is sufficient.
The problem of leader-follower control of two under- water vehicles communicating via acoustic mo... more The problem of leader-follower control of two under- water vehicles communicating via acoustic modems is formulated and solved in the framework of sliding mode control techniques. In this problem the path of the leader is not known in advance by the follower. The problem is formulated and solved using non- linear control techniques and non-linear models of underwater vehicles evolving
In this case report, we present the utility of transesophageal echocardiography in the detection ... more In this case report, we present the utility of transesophageal echocardiography in the detection of two uncommon complications of left ventricular assist devices: regurgitation of the bioprosthetic valve in the inflow conduit and a tear of a Dacron conduit with hematoma formation and compression of the right ventricular free wall.
Fisioterapeuta. Mestre em Ciências da Fisioterapia. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana Universidad... more Fisioterapeuta. Mestre em Ciências da Fisioterapia. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica de Lisboa1 Correspondência para: jpsousa@fmh.utl.pt Fisioterapeuta. Doutorado em Fisioterapia. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica de Lisboa2 ...
Daniel Innerarity in “Politics for the Perplexed” continues the reflection begun in the aftermath... more Daniel Innerarity in “Politics for the Perplexed” continues the reflection begun in the aftermath of the Great Recession (Innerarity, 2016) on the current challenges facing contemporary democracies, examining the ethical and cultural foundations for the possibility of a new social contract. This social contract is to be based on trust between citizens, but also between them and the various institutions that support liberal democracy. To this end, we are proposed to replace a majority democracy with a negotiation democracy, continuing an “old” theoretical opportunity of the author (Innerarity, 2012). As a desideratum of contemporary societies, negotiation democracy corresponds, in the first place, to an objective and correct diagnosis of the pathologies and dysfunctions of today's western democracies.
Biodesulfurization processes remove toxic and corrosive hydrogen sulfide from gas streams (e.g., ... more Biodesulfurization processes remove toxic and corrosive hydrogen sulfide from gas streams (e.g., natural gas, biogas, or syngas). To improve the efficiency of these processes under haloalkaline conditions, a sulfate and thiosulfate reduction step can be included. The use of H2/CO mixtures (as in syngas) instead of pure H2 was tested to investigate the potential cost reduction of the electron donor required. Syngas is produced in the gas-reforming process and consists mainly of H2, carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Purification of syngas to obtain pure H2 implies higher costs because of additional post-treatment. Therefore, the use of syngas has merit in the biodesulfurization process. Initially, CO inhibited hydrogen-dependent sulfate reduction. However, after 30 days the biomass was adapted and both H2 and CO were used as electron donors. First, formate was produced, followed by sulfate and thiosulfate reduction, and later in the reactor run acetate and methane were d...
After the first commercial applications of a new biological process for the removal of hydrogen s... more After the first commercial applications of a new biological process for the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from low pressure biogas, the need arose to broaden the operating window to also enable the removal of organosulfur compounds from high pressure sour gases. In this study we have selected microorganisms from a full-scale biodesulfurization system that are capable of withstanding the presence of thiols. This full-scale unit has been in stable operation for more than 10 years. We investigated the microbial community by using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons which showed that methanethiol gave a competitive advantage to bacteria belonging to the genera Thioalkalibacter (Halothiobacillaceae family) and Alkalilimnicola (Ectothiorhosdospiraceae family). The sulfide-oxidizing potential of the acclimatized population was investigated under elevated thiol loading rates (4.5-9.1 mM d(-1)), consisting of a mix of methanethiol, ethanethiol, and propanethiol. With th...
In industrial gas biodesulfurization systems, where haloalkaline conditions prevail, a thiosulfat... more In industrial gas biodesulfurization systems, where haloalkaline conditions prevail, a thiosulfate containing bleed stream is produced. This bleed stream can be treated in a separate bioreactor by reducing thiosulfate to sulfide and recycling it. By performing treatment and recycling of the bleed stream, its disposal decreases and less caustics are required to maintain the high pH. In this study, anaerobic microbial thiosulfate conversion to sulfide in a H2/CO2 fed bioreactor operated at haloalkaline conditions was investigated. Thiosulfate was converted by reduction to sulfide as well as disproportionation to sulfide and sulfate. Formate production from H2/CO2 was observed as an important reaction in the bioreactor. Formate, rather than H2, might have been used as the main electron donor by thiosulfate/sulfate-reducing bacteria. The microbial community was dominated by bacteria belonging to the family Clostridiaceae most closely related to Tindallia texcoconensis. Bacteria phylogen...
Applied microbiology and biotechnology, Jan 10, 2015
Haloalkaliphilic microorganisms that grow optimally at high-pH and high-salinity conditions can b... more Haloalkaliphilic microorganisms that grow optimally at high-pH and high-salinity conditions can be found in natural environments such as soda lakes. These globally spread lakes harbour interesting anaerobic microorganisms that have the potential of being applied in existing technologies or create new opportunities. In this review, we discuss the potential application of haloalkaliphilic anaerobic microbial communities in the fermentation of lignocellulosic feedstocks material subjected to an alkaline pre-treatment, methane production and sulfur removal technology. Also, the general advantages of operation at haloalkaline conditions, such as low volatile fatty acid and sulfide toxicity, are addressed. Finally, an outlook into the main challenges like ammonia toxicity and lack of aggregation is provided.
AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, 2010
A team of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with limited communication ranges, communication delays... more A team of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with limited communication ranges, communication delays and limited resources are deployed to search and prosecute static and maneuvering targets in a region. When a UAV detects a target, depending on the target resource requirement, it has to form a coalition for prosecution. Forming a feasible coalition over a time varying network formed by the UAVs in constant flight and prosecuting a maneuvering target are difficult tasks. In this paper, we develop a mechanism to find potential coalition members over a dynamic UAV network and propose a prosecution method where the UAVs cooperate with each other and strike the target at different time instants until the target is destroyed. Simulation results are presented to show how coalitions are formed over a dynamic network with moving targets. We also carry out Monte-Carlo simulations to study the effects of communication ranges and delays. The results show that, when communication delay is less, finding potential coalition members in the network is beneficial, but when the communication delay is significant, determining coalition members from immediate neighborhood is sufficient.
The problem of leader-follower control of two under- water vehicles communicating via acoustic mo... more The problem of leader-follower control of two under- water vehicles communicating via acoustic modems is formulated and solved in the framework of sliding mode control techniques. In this problem the path of the leader is not known in advance by the follower. The problem is formulated and solved using non- linear control techniques and non-linear models of underwater vehicles evolving
In this case report, we present the utility of transesophageal echocardiography in the detection ... more In this case report, we present the utility of transesophageal echocardiography in the detection of two uncommon complications of left ventricular assist devices: regurgitation of the bioprosthetic valve in the inflow conduit and a tear of a Dacron conduit with hematoma formation and compression of the right ventricular free wall.
Fisioterapeuta. Mestre em Ciências da Fisioterapia. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana Universidad... more Fisioterapeuta. Mestre em Ciências da Fisioterapia. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica de Lisboa1 Correspondência para: jpsousa@fmh.utl.pt Fisioterapeuta. Doutorado em Fisioterapia. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica de Lisboa2 ...
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