Incidence of particle size distribution in peanut husks bonded panels

El propósito de esta etapa de la investigación fue conocer la influencia de la variación del tamaño y de la forma de partículas cáscaras de maní en las propiedades de paneles aglomerados encolados con resina ureica. Se formularon paneles con cáscaras molidas (densidad de las partículas: de 81 Kg/m3), paneles con cáscaras enteras (densidad de las partículas: 200 Kg/m3) y dos combinaciones de las mismas. Los resultados alcanzados demostraron que los paneles compuestos por partículas de cáscaras de maní molidas (finas) mejoraron las propiedades físicas y mecánicas respecto de las placas que incorporaron partículas de mayor tamaño. Los valores de densidad en paneles con partículas molidas fueron 628,67 Kg/m3; absorción de agua 65,3% y 79,75% a 2 h y 24 h respectivamente; e hinchamiento de 9,9% y 14,35% medidos a 2 h y 24 h respectivamente. En relación a la caracterización de propiedades mecánicas de flexión, los valores registrados en muestras elaboradas con partículas finas de cáscaras de maní resultaron en MOR: 3,58 MPa, LOP 2,26 MPa y MOE 627 MPa. Con respecto a tenacidad, el mayor valor fue observado en los tableros elaborados con partículas enteras de cáscaras de maní: 1,58 MPa. Las propiedades caracterizadas se encuentran aun por debajo de las propiedades de las placas comerciales de madera de tipo MDF y aglomerados convencionales. Ajustes al proceso de elaboración de las placas de cáscaras de maní serán incorporados en futuros trabajosThe purpose of this stage was to determine the influence of particle size and shape of peanut husks on the properties of panels made with urea resin. Panels were made with milled husks200 Kg/m3 ) and unmilled husks (81 Kg/m3 ) and two combinations thereof. The results showed that the panels made with milled husks improved physical and mechanical properties with respect to the panels that incorporated unmilled particles. The density values in panels with milled particles were 628.67 Kg / m3 ; water absorption 65.3% and 79.75% at 2 and 24 hours respectively, and swelling of 9.9% and 14.35% measured at 2 and 24 hours respectively. Regarding the characterization of mechanical properties of bending, the values recorded in samples prepared with fine particles of peanut husks resulted in MOR: 3.58 MPa, LOP 2.26 MPa and MOE 627 MPa. With respect to toughness, the highest value was observed in particle boards made from unmilled peanut husks: 1.58MPa. The characterized properties are still below the properties of commercial wood panels. Adjustments to the process of preparing the peanut husks plates will be incorporated in future experiencesFil: Granero, Ana Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnológico Cordoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Economica(i); ArgentinaFil: Gatani, Mariana Pilar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnológico Cordoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Economica(i); ArgentinaFil: Medina, J. C. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Cs.forestales. Instituto de Tecnologia de la Madera; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, A.. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Cs.forestales. Instituto de Tecnologia de la Madera; ArgentinaFil: Fiorelli, J.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil. Laboratorio de Construções e Ambiência. Faculdade de Zootecnia e Enghenaria de Alimentos; BrasilFil: Kreiker, Jeronimo Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnológico Cordoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Economica(i); ArgentinaFil: Lerda, Maria Josefina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnológico Cordoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Economica(i); Argentin

Determinación de la influencia del tamaño y forma de partículas de cáscara de maní en paneles aglomerados

El propósito de esta etapa de la investigación fue conocer la influencia de la variación del tamaño y de la forma de partículas cáscaras de maní en las propiedades de paneles aglomerados encolados con resina ureica. Se formularon paneles con cáscaras molidas (densidad de las partículas: de 81 Kg/m3), paneles con cáscaras enteras (densidad de las partículas: 200 Kg/m3) y dos combinaciones de las mismas. Los resultados alcanzados demostraron que los paneles compuestos por partículas de cáscaras de maní molidas (finas) mejoraron las propiedades físicas y mecánicas respecto de las placas que incorporaron partículas de mayor tamaño. Los valores de densidad en paneles con partículas molidas fueron 628,67 Kg/m3; absorción de agua 65,3% y 79,75% a 2 h y 24 h respectivamente; e hinchamiento de 9,9% y 14,35% medidos a 2 h y 24 h respectivamente. En relación a la caracterización de propiedades mecánicas de flexión, los valores registrados en muestras elaboradas con partículas finas de cáscaras de maní resultaron en MOR: 3,58 MPa, LOP 2,26 MPa y MOE 627 MPa. Con respecto a tenacidad, el mayor valor fue observado en los tableros elaborados con partículas enteras de cáscaras de maní: 1,58 MPa. Las propiedades caracterizadas se encuentran aun por debajo de las propiedades de las placas comerciales de madera de tipo MDF y aglomerados convencionales. Ajustes al proceso de elaboración de las placas de cáscaras de maní serán incorporados en futuros trabajos.Fil: Granero, Ana Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Gatani, Mariana Pilar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Medina, Juan Carlos. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Ciencias Forestales. Instituto de Tecnología de la Madera; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, Agustin Pascual. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Ciencias Forestales. Instituto de Tecnología de la Madera; ArgentinaFil: Fiorelli, Juliano. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Kreiker, Jeronimo Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; ArgentinaFil: Lerda, Maria Josefina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica; Argentin

¡Todos somos Montero!

El trabajo obtuvo un premio de la Modalidad A de los Premios Tomás García Verdejo a las buenas prácticas educativas en la Comunidad Autónoma de Extremadura para el curso académico 2014/2015Se presenta el proyecto curricular del CEIP Montero de Espinosa (Almendralejo, Badajoz) basado en el aprendizaje en acción, en la individualización de la enseñanza y en la participación de las familias. Las actividades desarrolladas se han centrado en los siguientes ámbitos: valores y actitudes sociales (la convivencia escolar, el fomento de la igualdad, la educación ambiental, etc.), uso didáctico de las tecnologías de la información, fomento del aprendizaje de las lenguas, promoción de la biblioteca escolar (de la lectura, la escritura y el acceso a la información) y programas educativos encaminados al éxito escolar del alumnadoExtremaduraES

Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

Background: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19\ub78 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6\ub76 and 2\ub74 per cent respectively before, but 23\ub77 and 5\ub73 per cent, during the pandemic (both P < 0\ub7001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2

Global variation in postoperative mortality and complications after cancer surgery: a multicentre, prospective cohort study in 82 countries

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseBackground: 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods: This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03471494. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation: Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care