Characterisation of a composite material with polyester matrix reinforced with particles from doum palm (hyphaene thebaica) fruit

The objective of this paper is to extract the hulls of Hyphaene thebaica fruit to elaborate a composite material with polyester matrix and to characterize it physically and mechanically. The first step of the process consisted of crushing, drying and then physically characterizing the hulls. The obtained results show that the average density is 766 kg/m3, the kinetic of water absorption is 40.39% and the average kinetic of humidity is 9.23%. The second step of the process consisted of crushing and sieving the hulls in order to classify them in four different sizes, and then proceeding to the manufacture of panels according to the different sizes of particles and different dosages. Another phase of characterisation has thus been achieved and the following results have been obtained: general theoretical density is 1275.86 kg/m3; average apparent density is 0.892 g/cm3, and the average density of the shells is 0.766 g/cm3. The average porosity rate obtained is 0.3%. As for the mechanical characteristics obtained by the three-point bending, the results on the average flexural modulus of elasticity (MOE) are presented as follows: 3400 ± 511 MPa for 10%–90% and size 0.5–2.5 mm, 4100± 320 MPa for 15%–85% size less than 0.5 mm; 5730± 212 MPa for 30%–70% size 0.5–2.5 mm; 6510± 211 MPa for 15%–85% size 0.5–2.5 mm; 5880± 110 MPa for 30%–70% size less than 0.5 mm. The corresponding flexural breaking strength (MOR) are respectively: 12.8± 0.2 MPa; 13.5± 0.2 MPa; 12.0± 0.5 MPa; 10.8± 0.2 MPa and 13.8± 0.3 MPa. The methods used in this work are experimental. These results allowed to deduce that the composites elaborated are particleboard type P2 and have the advantage to be used as panels useable in furniture, thermal and acoustic insulation and as structural materials. Thus, it is also possible to use it as an abrasive aggregate for sanding. All prepared particleboards had exterior and interior quality capabilities, for both working and non-working environments. It is also possible to use it as an abrasive aggregate for sanding

A CONTRATUALIZAÇÃO DE HOSPITAIS NO ÂMBITO DO SISTEMA ÚNICO DE SAÚDE (SUS): PERSPECTIVA, DESAFIOS E SOLUÇÕES

The present study aims to analyze the current legislation regarding the contracting of hospitals within the Unified Health System (SUS). Thus, the research focus is on the existing legal institutes for formalizing the contract and the guidelines for establishing the parameters for the provision of services and the supervision by a specific evaluation committee. In this way, it was identified that the contractualization instrument would be composed of two parts, one being the contract itself, and the other, the document with the description of the qualitative and quantitative goals, which will be followed up and evaluated by a Follow-up Commission formed by the manager, the hospital, users and other related members. Still, it was possible to infer the importance of this instrument for the effectiveness of health principles, especially the right to life, because it deals with medium and high complexity services. Finally, it is concluded that special care must be taken, and the procedure should be preceded by studies for the formalization of contractualization, aiming, above all, at the principle of efficiency, legality and transparency.El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la legislación vigente en materia de contractualización de hospitales bajo el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS). Así, el norte de la investigación pende sobre los institutos jurídicos existentes para la formalización del contrato y las directrices para establecer los parámetros para la prestación de servicios y la supervisión por parte de un comité de evaluación específico. Así, se identificó que el instrumento de contractualización estaría compuesto por dos partes, una de ellas el propio contrato, y la otra, el documento con la descripción de metas cualitativas y cuantitativas, que serán monitoreadas y evaluadas por un Comité de Seguimiento conformado por el gerente, hospital, usuarios y otros miembros relacionados. Además, se pudo inferir la importancia de este instrumento para la realización de los principios de salud, especialmente el derecho a la vida, porque trata servicios de mediana y alta complejidad. Finalmente, se concluye que se debe tener especial cuidado, y el procedimiento debe ir precedido de estudios para la formalización de la contractualización, apuntando, sobre todo, al principio de eficiencia, legalidad y transparencia.O presente estudo tem o objetivo de analisar a legislação vigente no que diz respeito a contratualização de hospitais no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Assim, o norte da pesquisa paira sobre os institutos jurídicos existentes para formalização do contrato e as diretrizes norteadoras para estabelecimento dos parâmetros para a prestação dos serviços e a fiscalização por comissão específica de avaliação. Dessa forma, restou identificado que o instrumento de contratualização seria composto por duas partes, uma delas o contrato propriamente dito, e a outra, o documento com a descrição das metas qualitativas e quantitativas, que serão acompanhados e avaliados por uma Comissão de Acompanhamento formada pelo gestor, hospital, usuários e outros membros correlatos. Ainda, foi possível inferir a importância desse instrumento para efetivação dos princípios em saúde, em especial, o direito à vida, por tratar de serviços de média e alta complexidade. Por fim, conclui-se que deve haver um cuidado especial, devendo o procedimento ser precedido de estudos para a formalização da contratualização, visando, sobretudo, o princípio da eficiência, da legalidade e da transparência.O presente estudo tem o objetivo de analisar a legislação vigente no que diz respeito a contratualização de hospitais no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Assim, o norte da pesquisa paira sobre os institutos jurídicos existentes para formalização do contrato e as diretrizes norteadoras para estabelecimento dos parâmetros para a prestação dos serviços e a fiscalização por comissão específica de avaliação. Dessa forma, restou identificado que o instrumento de contratualização seria composto por duas partes, uma delas o contrato propriamente dito, e a outra, o documento com a descrição das metas qualitativas e quantitativas, que serão acompanhados e avaliados por uma Comissão de Acompanhamento formada pelo gestor, hospital, usuários e outros membros correlatos. Ainda, foi possível inferir a importância desse instrumento para efetivação dos princípios em saúde, em especial, o direito à vida, por tratar de serviços de média e alta complexidade. Por fim, conclui-se que deve haver um cuidado especial, devendo o procedimento ser precedido de estudos para a formalização da contratualização, visando, sobretudo, o princípio da eficiência, da legalidade e da transparência

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora

Maternal and neonatal outcomes after caesarean delivery in the African Surgical Outcomes Study: a 7-day prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal and neonatal mortality is high in Africa, but few large, prospective studies have been done to investigate the risk factors associated with these poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A 7-day, international, prospective, observational cohort study was done in patients having caesarean delivery in 183 hospitals across 22 countries in Africa. The inclusion criteria were all consecutive patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted to participating centres having elective and non-elective caesarean delivery during the 7-day study cohort period. To ensure a representative sample, each hospital had to provide data for 90% of the eligible patients during the recruitment week. The primary outcome was in-hospital maternal mortality and complications, which were assessed by local investigators. The study was registered on the South African National Health Research Database, number KZ_2015RP7_22, and on ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03044899. FINDINGS: Between February, 2016, and May, 2016, 3792 patients were recruited from hospitals across Africa. 3685 were included in the postoperative complications analysis (107 missing data) and 3684 were included in the maternal mortality analysis (108 missing data). These hospitals had a combined number of specialist surgeons, obstetricians, and anaesthetists totalling 0·7 per 100 000 population (IQR 0·2-2·0). Maternal mortality was 20 (0·5%) of 3684 patients (95% CI 0·3-0·8). Complications occurred in 633 (17·4%) of 3636 mothers (16·2-18·6), which were predominantly severe intraoperative and postoperative bleeding (136 [3·8%] of 3612 mothers). Maternal mortality was independently associated with a preoperative presentation of placenta praevia, placental abruption, ruptured uterus, antepartum haemorrhage (odds ratio 4·47 [95% CI 1·46-13·65]), and perioperative severe obstetric haemorrhage (5·87 [1·99-17·34]) or anaesthesia complications (11·47 (1·20-109·20]). Neonatal mortality was 153 (4·4%) of 3506 infants (95% CI 3·7-5·0). INTERPRETATION: Maternal mortality after caesarean delivery in Africa is 50 times higher than that of high-income countries and is driven by peripartum haemorrhage and anaesthesia complications. Neonatal mortality is double the global average. Early identification and appropriate management of mothers at risk of peripartum haemorrhage might improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in Africa. FUNDING: Medical Research Council of South Africa.Medical Research Council of South Africa

The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator: development and validation of a tool for identifying African surgical patients at risk of severe postoperative complications

Background: The African Surgical Outcomes Study (ASOS) showed that surgical patients in Africa have a mortality twice the global average. Existing risk assessment tools are not valid for use in this population because the pattern of risk for poor outcomes differs from high-income countries. The objective of this study was to derive and validate a simple, preoperative risk stratification tool to identify African surgical patients at risk for in-hospital postoperative mortality and severe complications. Methods: ASOS was a 7-day prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing surgery in Africa. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator was constructed with a multivariable logistic regression model for the outcome of in-hospital mortality and severe postoperative complications. The following preoperative risk factors were entered into the model; age, sex, smoking status, ASA physical status, preoperative chronic comorbid conditions, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. Results: The model was derived from 8799 patients from 168 African hospitals. The composite outcome of severe postoperative complications and death occurred in 423/8799 (4.8%) patients. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator includes the following risk factors: age, ASA physical status, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. The model showed good discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.805 and good calibration with c-statistic corrected for optimism of 0.784. Conclusions: This simple preoperative risk calculator could be used to identify high-risk surgical patients in African hospitals and facilitate increased postoperative surveillance. © 2018 British Journal of Anaesthesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Medical Research Council of South Africa gran