Phase Decomposition upon Alteration of Radiation-Damaged Monazite-(Ce) from Moss, Ostfold, Norway

The internal textures of crystals of moderately radiation-damaged monazite-(Ce) from Moss, Norway, indicate heavy, secondary chemical alteration. In fact, the cm-sized specimens are no longer mono-mineral monazite but rather a composite consisting of monazite-(Ce) and apatite pervaded by several generations of fractures filled with sulphides and a phase rich in Th, Y, and Si. This composite is virtually a 'pseudomorph' after primary euhedral monazite crystals whose faces are still well preserved. The chemical alteration has resulted in major reworking and decomposition of the primary crystals, with potentially uncontrolled elemental changes, including extensive release of Th from the primary monazite and local redeposition of radionuclides in fracture fillings. This seems to question the general alteration-resistance of orthophosphate phases in a low-temperature, 'wet' environment, and hence their suitability as potential host ceramics for the long-term immobilisation of radioactive waste

Lean Healthcare applied toward turning a Pharmacy Service Patient Centered

Pharmaceutical service optimization requires a comprehensive understanding of resource usage. The aim of the study is to analyze how Lean Healthcare principles can contribute toward turning a pharmacy service patient-centered and value oriented. Understand how clinical pharmacists’ resources are effectively used by patients in an academic hospital using lean tools, such as value stream mapping and activity designation matrix, determine the amount of time each professional is involved in specific activities, and identify activities that add value. The data were mainly obtained through interviews with professionals, time-motion observational studies, chronoanalysis and meetings with the head of the unit. A process flow map is designed for clinical pharmacy services, and it considers the relationship between the activities and their added value base. An exploration of the map shows that the activity “clinical rounds” is the most time consuming (27%) and not necessarily considered value-added by both parties (pharmacists staff and head of service). It is notable the opportunity the service has to prioritize the high-risk patients and to make a good time management; furthermore, activities that are of high value to patients are being performed and monitored by interns. The role of pharmacists should evolve from now on to be congruent with the new realities of healthcare. When value is questioned, we are encouraged to reflect on the activities engaged in by professional pharmacists in a clinical/surgical unit of a hospital. Through these tools, we could infer how the system is engaged and how it can be transformed toward added value.Introduction. Pharmaceutical service optimization requires a comprehensive understanding of resource usage. The aim of the study is to analyze how Lean Healthcare principles can contribute toward turning a pharmacy service patient-centered and value oriented. Methods. Understand how clinical pharmacists’ resources are effectively used by patients in an academic hospital using lean tools, such as value stream mapping and activity designation matrix, determine the amount of time each professional is involved in specific activities, and identify activities that add value. The data were mainly obtained through interviews with professionals, time-motion observational studies, chronoanalysis and meetings with the head of the unit. Results. A process flow map is designed for clinical pharmacy services, and it considers the relationship between the activities and their added value base. An exploration of the map shows that the activity “clinical rounds” is the most time consuming (27%) and not necessarily considered value-added by both parties (pharmacists staff and head of service). It is notable the opportunity the service has to prioritize the high-risk patients and to make a good time management; furthermore, activities that are of high value to patients are being performed and monitored by interns. Conclusions. The role of pharmacists should evolve from now on to be congruent with the new realities of healthcare. When value is questioned, we are encouraged to reflect on the activities engaged in by professional pharmacists in a clinical/surgical unit of a hospital. Through these tools, we could infer how the system is engaged and how it can be transformed toward added value

The tree height estimated by non-power models on volumetric models provides reliable predictions of wood volume: The Amazon species height modelling issue.

Allometries that include height as independent variable usually provide greater accuracy on estimates of volume, biomass or individual carbon than other prediction strategies that rely only diameter at breast height as independent variable. However, when these models are applied in Amazon Forest Inventories, it is common to use estimated heights rather than measured heights to prepare volume, biomass or carbon estimates. This practice is common, but rarely discussed and the effect on predictions and precision is usually overlooked. The aim of this study was to examine hypsometric models and evaluate the effect of estimated height on merchantable volume prediction in Eastern Amazonian forests. The study area was a 3,786 ha Forest Management Unit owned by Jari Florestal S.A., in the Jari Valley Region of the State of Pará, Brazil. The data includes 16,099 trees of 25 species, measured and harvested in 2006. Ten percent of the data were reserved for validation of the hypsometric and volumetric estimates. Five hypsometric models and two modelling techniques (linear regression and mixed-effects model) were examined. The choice of best model was based on graphical analyses of residuals, distribution of residuals, heteroscedasticity of error and presence of outliers as assessed by h-values, DFFITS and Cook's distance. The hypsometric relationship and volumetric estimates using DBH and DBH with estimated height were validated with Graybill's test, Theil's error decomposition, Efficiency, Equivalence test and Tukey's test for species estimates level. Heights estimated using a semi-logarithmic mixed-effects model can improve predictions from volume equations. The results show that exploratory data analysis and validation process helped to provide estimates with greater efficiency and should be adopted in related studies. The prediction of height associated with volumetric models for six different species provided volumetric estimates with an error below 5% for the global average volume. The estimated height by the mixed-effect non-power law model should be included in double input models previously developed for volume prediction

O ensino de BIM no Brasil: onde estamos?

A modelagem da Informação da Construção (Building Information Modeling - BIM) envolve um conjunto interrelacionado de políticas, processos e tecnologias para gerenciar a essência do projeto, construção e operação de edifícios no formato digital em todo o ciclo de vida da edificação. Entender BIM apenas como tecnologia é uma distorção advinda de uma simplificação extrema do paradigma. Dessa forma, a abordagem de BIM no ensino deve ir além da capacitação instrumental contida nas disciplinas de informática aplicada. Este artigo apresenta um diagnóstico de experiências brasileiras e internacionais de ensino de BIM, o que permite avaliar a abrangência dos esforços de ensino adotados até o presente no Brasil, neste contexto. Este diagnóstico se dá por meio de revisão bibliográfica sobre relatos de experiência de ensino de BIM, discussão em workshop e experimentação no ensino. Classificam-se as experiências avaliadas identificando-se os estágios de adoção de BIM e os níveis de competência por elas fomentados. Ao utilizar uma mesma classificação aplicada no estudo do cenário internacional para as experiências nacionais, foi possível balizar o nível de desenvolvimento do ensino de BIM no Brasil. Discute-se, à luz das experiências apresentadas, o quão abrangente deve ser a formação em BIM e a quais estágios de adoção de BIM essas experiências de ensino conduzem. Modelos de inspiração que possam contribuir com o cenário brasileiro de adoção do BIM são apresentados, extraídos de boas experiências estrangeiras

Resiliência do volume de madeira de espécies comerciais em diferentes áreas experimentais na Amazônia Oriental.

O objetivo do estudo é avaliar o comportamento do volume de madeira em diferentes grupos de espécies arbóreas comercias ao longo do tempo em áreas experimentais na Amazônia Oriental Brasileira. Foram analisada a dinâmica do volume na Flona Tapajós, Floresta Monte Dourado-Jari, Floresta do Moju e Fazenda Rio Capim. Foram realizados inventários florestais de espécies arbóreas a partir de 20 cm diâmetro. Esses inventários foram realizados em diferentes anos antes e após a exploração florestal em cada área experimental. Para análise dos dados foram para as classes de diâmetro entre 20 e 49,9 cm, para caracterizar o estoque de madeira reservado para a futura exploração, e outra classe com árvores de DAP ≥ 50 cm para caracterizar o volume da presente colheita. Foram calculados os equações do volume. As categorias de grupos de espécies arbóreas comerciais foram G1, G2, G3, G4 e G5 e essa classificação foram realizadas através das espécies arbóreas comerciais encontradas nas áreas estudos comparadas com as espécies arbóreas comerciais encontradas em Pará (2016). Os volumes foram por categorias de grupos de espécies arbóreas comercias ao longo do tempo, tratamentos silviculturais e classe diamétrica. Os resultados encontrados variaram de acordo com tratamentos silviculturais, classe diamétrica e períodos. Através do estudo é possível afirmar que a floresta é capaz de ter sua resiliência volumétrica, pois se observou nessas áreas de estudos, que a maioria das espécies arbóreas comerciais nos diferentes tratamentos silviculturais aumentaram seu volume após 30, 26 e18 anos de exploração florestal de impacto reduzido