Ana Ferraz

The use of flocculating brewer's yeast for Cr(III) and Pb(II) removal from residual wastewaters

Abstract The use of inexpensive biosorbents to sequester heavy metals from aqueous solutions, is one of the most promising technologies being developed to remove these toxic contaminants from wastewaters. Considering this challenge, the viability of Cr(III) and Pb(II) removal from aqueous solutions using a flocculating brewers yeast residual biomass from a Portuguese brewing industry was studied. The influence of physicochemical factors such as medium pH, biomass concentration and the presence of a co-ion was characterised. Metal uptake kinetics and equilibrium were also analysed, considering different incubation temperatures. For both metals, uptake increased with medium pH, being maximal at 5.0. Optimal biomass concentration for the biosorption process was determined to be 4.5 g dry weight/l. In chromium and lead mixture solutions, competition for yeast binding sites was observed between the two metals, this competition being pH dependent. Yeast biomass showed higher selectivity and uptake capacity to lead. Chromium uptake kinetic was characterised as having a rapid initial step, followed by a slower one. Langmuir model describes well chromium uptake equilibrium. Lead uptake kinetics suggested the presence of mechanisms other than biosorption, possibly including its precipitation.

Design of a mechatronic system for human blood typing in emergency situations

The determination of human blood type in emergency situations is particular relevant. In accordance to this and considering the development of equipment, based on image processing techniques that can determine the blood type in short time, it was designed a medical device capable of being used in emergency situations. This device is constituted mainly by an embedded system (Liliput), for monitoring and processing blood samples with LabVIEW, a CCD camera, as well as additional electronic hardware to promote mixing of the blood samples with test reagents in addition to lighting intensity control for image capture. The obtained results allow including this equipment in health care units, and in mobile vehicles of medical assistance, due to its small dimensions, high speed response, trusted results, portability, low cost and easy maintenance.

Blood type classification using computer vision and machine learning

In emergency situations, where time for blood transfusion is reduced, the O negative blood type (the universal donor) is administrated. However, sometimes even the universal donor can cause transfusion reactions that can be fatal to the patient. As commercial systems do not allow fast results and are not suitable for emergency situations, this paper presents the steps considered for the development and validation of a prototype, able to determine blood type compatibilities, even in emergency situations. Thus it is possible, using the developed system, to administer a compatible blood type, since the first blood unit transfused. In order to increase the system’s reliability, this prototype uses different approaches to classify blood types, the first of which is based on Decision Trees and the second one based on support vector machines. The features used to evaluate these classifiers are the standard deviation values, histogram, Histogram of Oriented Gradients and fast Fourier transform, computed on different regions of interest. The main characteristics of the presented prototype are small size, lightweight, easy transportation, ease of use, fast results, high reliability and low cost. These features are perfectly suited for emergency scenarios, where the prototype is expected to be used.

Automatic system for determination of blood types using image processing techniques

Determine blood type is essential before administering a blood transfusion, including in emergency situation. Currently, these tests are performed manually by technicians, which can lead to human errors. Various systems have been developed to automate these tests, but none is able to perform the analysis in time for emergency situations. This work aims to develop an automatic system to perform these tests in a short period of time, adapting to emergency situations. To do so, it uses the slide test and image processing techniques using the IMAQ Vision from National Instruments. The image captured after the slide test is processed and detects the occurrence of agglutination. Next the classification algorithm determines the blood type in analysis. Finally, all the information is stored in a database. Thus, the system allows determining the blood type in an emergency, eliminating transfusions based on the principle of universal donor and reducing transfusion reactions risks.

Prototype for determination of pre-transfusion tests based on image processing techniques

This paper presents an innovative prototype to perform pre-transfusion tests especially developed for emergency situations. This prototype is portable and automates the procedure of the plate test. The prototype is based on image processing techniques to analyze the captured images from the performed test. The image processing techniques are able to detect agglutination reactions in the samples and based on the results of occurrence or absence of agglutination the result of the test is given. This paper also presents a user-friendly interface application to be used with the prototype developed. In this study the tests were performed with the prototype for ABO and Rh blood types and the prototype was tested with donor blood samples.

Velocity and Brightness Control in Prototype for Blood Type Determination

This paper presents algorithms and methodologies used for controlling operating parameters of a prototype developed for the determination of human blood types. Being the illumination and mixing between blood and reagents keys for a secure identification of the test results (blood types), it becomes necessary to include, in the prototype, brightness and velocity control to increase the efficiency and safety of results.

An Integrated Approach for Efficient Energy Recovery Production from Livestock and Agro-Industrial Wastes

The supply and food safety needs of the growing population, particularly in (peri) urban areas, promote the intensification, concentration, and specialization of human, agricultural, livestock, and agro-industrial activities. As a result, important quantities of waste and wastewater, with significant organic and nutrient loads, are generated and need to be managed properly in order to protect the soil quality and fertility, as well as to prevent water and air pollution. Among the models, processes, treatment, and recovery technologies, anaerobic digestion can be highlighted due to the production of biogas, a renewable energy source.

Mechatronic System for ABO Human Blood Typing

In medical emergency situations, when a patient needs a blood transfusion, the universal blood type O− is administered. This procedure may lead to the depletion of stock reserves of O− blood. Nowadays, there is no commercial equipment capable of determining the patients blood type in situ, in a fast and reliable process. Human blood typing is usually performed through the manual test, which involves a macroscopic observation and interpretation of the results by an analyst. This test, despite of having a fast response time, may lead to human errors, which sometimes can be fatal to the patient. This paper presents the development of an automatic mechatronic prototype for determining human blood typing (ABO and Rh systems) through image processing techniques. The prototype design takes into account the characteristics of reliability of analysis, portability, and response time allowing the system to be used in emergency situations. The developed prototype performs blood and reagents mixture acquires the resultant image and processes the data (based on image processing techniques) to determine the sample blood type. It was tested in a laboratory, using cataloged samples of blood types, provided by the Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation. Hereafter, it is expected to test and validate the prototype in clinical environments.