Disintegration and Recycling of Multi-layered Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites via Superheated Steam

To increase viability of recycling of robust and large-scale multi-layered glass fiber reinforced polymer composites (GFRPs), disintegration of the multi-layered GFRPs and recovery of fibers/resin-derived materials were investigated using superheated steam (SHS) under normal pressure where a very quick heat transfer to GFRP was possible. The SHS treatment of 4 different types of multi-layered GFRP products were conducted at 350 °C in an oxygen-free environment up to 3 hours. The SHS treated GFRPs were easily disintegrated into each layer. The separated layers were divided into components: glass fibers, oligomers, and inorganic fillers after subsequent thermal and ultrasonication processes. Finally, clear glass fibers were recovered, and matrix resin was also recovered as soluble oligomers consisting of phthalates, glycols, and styrene units due to partial chain cleavage of cured resin. These results clearly showed the viability for the recycling of actual large-scale multi-layered GFRP products

Organic Thin Paper of Cellulose Nanofiber/Polyaniline Doped with (±)-10-Camphorsulfonic Acid Nanohybrid and Its Application to Electromagnetic Shielding

A superior electrical conductivity of 38.5 S/cm and an electromagnetic shielding (EMS) effectiveness of −30 dB (−545 dB/mm) across a wide frequency range of 0–15 GHz, including the X-band, were achieved with thin organic paper of (55 μm) cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/polyaniline (PANI) doped with (±)-10-camphorsulfonic acid nanohybrid. Both electrical conductivity and EMS effectiveness of the PANI-coated CNF were strongly affected by the amount and type of dopant, which could be tunable after fabrication process via simple in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline. Flexible and free-standing film was obtained, since CNF provides good mechanical property without diminishing the electrical property of PANI

Isolation and fractionation of cellulose nanocrystals from kenaf core

In this study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were produced using acid hydrolysis method. Kenaf core was pretreated with 4 wt. % sodium hydroxide (NaOH), followed by bleaching using 1.7 wt. % sodium chlorite (NaClO2) in acetate buffer. The bleached fiber was acid hydrolyzed for 45 and 55 min using 64 wt. % sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The size distribution of the CNC segregated via differential centrifugation with different speed was also investigated. The CNC suspension obtained was centrifuged at 3000, 6000, 9000 and 12000 rpm. The resultant CNC suspension collected was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FTIR results showed the progressive removal of non-cellulosic constituents for each subsequent treatment. It also showed that the CNC produced after hydrolysing for 55 min has the highest degree of crystallinity (81.15%). CNC produced from acid hydrolysis process of 45 min have lengths between 50 and 270 nm while CNC produced from acid hydrolysis process of 55 min have length around 40 to 370 nm

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Mechanical and antibacterial properties of paper coated with chitosan

Recent developments have found the viability of chitosan as a new alternative additive in the pulp and paper technology. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of chitosan as a paper coating which were prepared by dissolution in acetic acid solution. The mechanical properties of coated paper were improved significantly compared with non-coated paper. The FT-IR spectra showed peak evolution at 1558 cm-1 for coated paper due to the existence of amine group. Since FT-IR spectra for the coated paper was almost identical to the chitosan spectrum, it is assumed that there is an obvious physical interaction rather than the chemical interaction. The SEM micrographs showed that some of the chitosan has occupied the pores and some of them adhered only on the surface. This may be due to the chemical similarities between cellulose and chitosan which enhanced the strength of fiber matrixes via hydrogen bonding. The antibacterial property of coated paper showed that chitosan in dried form has no significant effect but effective when applied as wet solution

Catalytic Conversion of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Fibres into Lactic Acid by Lead (II) ions

Lactic acid (LA) is a potential platform chemical that can be produced from lignocellulosic biomass. The development of a cost-competitive, catalytic-based LA production system is gaining significant attention in modern biorefineries. A series of experimental study was carried out to investigate the chemocatalytic effect of the conversion of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers into lactic acid under hydrothermal conditions. Synthesis of chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass involves complex mechanisms because of the complex composition of the biomass. Therefore, experimental parameters, i.e., temperature, Pb(II) concentration, and reaction time were studied. It was found that production of LA is highly dependent on the experimental conditions. In this study, the highest LA yield obtained from EFB fibers was > 46% (230 °C, 2 mM Pb(II) after 4 h of reaction). However, a similar yield can be achieved either using higher Pb(II) and shorter reactions time or vice versa. The selective production of chemical compounds (glucose, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF), furfural, levulinic acid, and lactic acid) from EFB fibers is highly dependent on the availability of Pb(II) ions

Characterization of nanocellulose recovery from Elaeis guineensis frond for sustainable development

As the demand towards nanocellulose increases day by day due to its excellent characteristics such as biodegradability, thermal stability and biocompatibility, Elaeis guineensis frond (oil palm frond, OPF) serves as a new promising renewable sources for sustainable nanocellulose production. Synthesis of nanocellulose from OPF was performed through three different chemical treatments including alkaline, bleaching and acid hydrolysis processes. Acid hydrolysis on commercialized Sigma cellulose was also performed in order to compare it with OPF nanocellulose. The chemical structure, crystallinity, suspension stability, particle size and morphology of the synthesized nanocellulose were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analyser with zeta potential, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). FTIR spectra after the chemical treatments showed the elimination of certain chemical groups of lignin and hemicellulose from raw OPF. XRD diffractograms revealed that OPF nanocellulose showed crystallinity improvement compared to OPF cellulose, while Sigma nanocellulose showed crystallinity deterioration against chemical treatments. From physical appearance, both nanocellulose specimens were stable in suspension form. OPF nanocellulose specimens were smaller in size compared to Sigma nanocellulose as shown in the results of particle size analyser, FESEM, TEM and AFM. All these results confirmed the production of nanocellulose, which was synthesized from OPF that have potential for sustainable development, includes ecology and economics. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in children : an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study

Introduction Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, there is a lack of data available about SSI in children worldwide, especially from low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of SSI in children and associations between SSI and morbidity across human development settings. Methods A multicentre, international, prospective, validated cohort study of children aged under 16 years undergoing clean-contaminated, contaminated or dirty gastrointestinal surgery. Any hospital in the world providing paediatric surgery was eligible to contribute data between January and July 2016. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI by 30 days. Relationships between explanatory variables and SSI were examined using multilevel logistic regression. Countries were stratified into high development, middle development and low development groups using the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Results Of 1159 children across 181 hospitals in 51 countries, 523 (45 center dot 1%) children were from high HDI, 397 (34 center dot 2%) from middle HDI and 239 (20 center dot 6%) from low HDI countries. The 30-day SSI rate was 6.3% (33/523) in high HDI, 12 center dot 8% (51/397) in middle HDI and 24 center dot 7% (59/239) in low HDI countries. SSI was associated with higher incidence of 30-day mortality, intervention, organ-space infection and other HAIs, with the highest rates seen in low HDI countries. Median length of stay in patients who had an SSI was longer (7.0 days), compared with 3.0 days in patients who did not have an SSI. Use of laparoscopy was associated with significantly lower SSI rates, even after accounting for HDI. Conclusion The odds of SSI in children is nearly four times greater in low HDI compared with high HDI countries. Policies to reduce SSI should be prioritised as part of the wider global agenda.Peer reviewe