The studies of potentiation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a traditional drug used in the treatment of several cancers, including colorectal (CRC), were carried out with zeolites Faujasite in the sodium form, with different particle sizes (NaY, 700nm and nanoNaY, 150nm) and Linde type L in the potassium form (LTL) with a particle size of 80nm. 5-FU was loaded into zeolites by liquid-phase adsorption. Characterization by spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, (1)H NMR and (13)C and (27)Al solid-state MAS NMR), chemical analysis, thermal analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption isotherms and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), demonstrated the successful loading of 5-FU into the zeolite hosts. In vitro drug release studies (PBS buffer pH 7.4, 37°C) revealed the release of 80-90% of 5-FU in the first 10min. To ascertain the drug release kinetics, the release profiles were fitted to zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, Hixson-Crowell, Korsmeyer-Peppas and Weibull kinetic models. The in vitro dissolution from the drug delivery systems (DDS) was explained by the Weibull model. The DDS efficacy was evaluated using two human colorectal carcinoma cell lines, HCT-15 and RKO. Unloaded zeolites presented no toxicity to both cancer cells, while all DDS allowed an important potentiation of the 5-FU effect on the cell viability. Immunofluorescence studies provided evidence for zeolite-cell internalization.

Sustainability has strong implications on the practice of engineering. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an appropriate methodology for assessing the sustainability of a wastewater treatment plant design. The present study used a LCA approach for comparing alternative wastewater treatment processes for small and decentralised rural communities. The assessment was focused on two energy-saving systems (constructed wetland and slow rate infiltration) and a conventional one (activated sludge process). The low environmental impact of the energy-saving wastewater treatment plants was demonstrated, the most relevant being the global warming indicator. Options for reduction of life cycle impacts were assessed including materials used in construction and operational lifetime of the systems. A 10% extension of operation lifetime of constructed wetland and slow rate infiltration systems led to a 1% decrease in CO2 emissions, in both systems. The decrease in the abiotic depletion was 5 and 7%, respectively. Also, replacing steel with HDPE in the activated sludge tank resulted in a 1% reduction in CO2 emission and 1% in the abiotic depletion indicator. In the case of the Imhoff tank a 1% reduction in CO2 emissions and 5% in the abiotic depletion indicator were observed when concrete was replaced by HDPE.

Cultural economics, Consumption, Artistic goods, CLAD method, Z11, D12,

Este trabalho investiga as alterações nos diferenciais de rendimentos entre migrantes, migrantes de retorno e não migrantes, entre 2000 e 2010, no Brasil. São utilizados dados do Censo Demográfico. Entre os principais resultados, destaca-se que ser homem, jovem e escolarizado eleva à probabilidade de migrar e retornar. Migrantes e migrantes de retorno são mais bem remunerados que não migrantes. A situação dos trabalhadores melhorou no período, pois houve elevação dos rendimentos e diminuição das desigualdades regionais de renda, tendo a migração contribuindo para tal.

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This paper describes the creative potential of Brazilian territories, including aspects pointed as cities' comparative advantages in terms of creativity: cultural facilities, labor market and public expenditures in culture. The paper uses clustering analysis, applied to secondary data from the Brazilian Demographic Census (IBGE), Survey of Basic Municipal Information (MUNIC/IBGE) and municipal expenditures in culture from National Treasury (FINBRA). Among the six clusters which were created, three are well defined and the others are quite mixed. Cluster 1 includes the two largest and most developed cities in Brazil, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Cluster 2 is composed of capitals of important states in Brazil and cities where large universities are located. We named this cluster as creative university centers. Cluster 3 comprises 99 municipalities and can be named as centers of cultural and ecological tourism.

5-FU release profiles reveled to be dependent on the host structures. 5-FU DDS led to significant potentiation of the 5-FU effect in cancer cells.

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