Progress on Catalyst Development for the Steam Reforming of Biomass and Waste Plastics Pyrolysis Volatiles: A Review

[EN]n recent decades, the production of H-2 from biomass, waste plastics, and their mixtures has attracted increasing attention in the literature in order to overcome the environmental problems associated with global warming and CO2 emissions caused by conventional H-2 production processes. In this regard, the strategy based on pyrolysis and in-line catalytic reforming allows for obtaining high H-2 production from a wide variety of feedstocks. In addition, it provides several advantages compared to other thermochemical routes such as steam gasification, making it suitable for its further industrial implementation. This review analyzes the fundamental aspects involving the process of pyrolysis-reforming of biomass and waste plastics. However, the optimum design of transition metal based reforming catalysts is the bottleneck in the development of the process and final H-2 production. Accordingly, this review focuses especially on the influence the catalytic materials (support, promoters, and active phase), synthesis methods, and pyrolysis-reforming conditions have on the process performance. The results reported in the literature for the steam reforming of the volatiles derived from biomass, plastic wastes, and biomass/plastics mixtures on different metal based catalysts have been compared and analyzed in terms of H-2 production.This work was carried out with the financial support from Spain's Ministries of Science, Innovation and Universities (Grant RTI2018-101678-B-I00 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE) and Grant RTI2018-098283-J-I00 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE)) and Science and Innovation (Grant PID2019-107357RB-I00 (AEI/FEDER, UE)) and the Basque Government (Grants IT1218-19 and KK-2020/00107). Moreover, this project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 823745

Tuning pyrolysis temperature to improve the in-line steam reforming catalyst activity and stability

This study analyzes the two-step process of biomass pyrolysis and in-line steam reforming for the production of H2. In order to evaluate the effect of the volatile composition on the commercial Ni/Al2O3 catalyst performance and stability, biomass pyrolysis step was conducted at different temperatures (500–800 °C). The analysis of the deactivated catalysts has also allowed identifying the main bio-oil compounds responsible for catalyst decay (coke precursors). Pyrolysis temperature allows modifying the composition of the volatile stream that is subsequently reformed at 600 °C. An increase in pyrolysis temperature to 800 °C improves considerably the production of both H2 and gaseous stream at the initial reaction stages, reaching values of 12.95 wt% and 2.23 Nm3 kg−1, respectively. Catalyst stability is also considerably improved when pyrolysis temperature is increased due to the lower bio-oil yield and its different composition at high temperatures. Coke was the main cause of catalyst deactivation. Besides, the nature of the coke deposited is influenced by the composition of the pyrolysis volatiles, with encapsulating coke being formed by the adsorption and subsequent condensation of all hydrocarbons (oxygenated and non-oxygenated ones) preferably at low temperatures, whereas filamentous coke is formed when the concentrations of CO and light hydrocarbons in the volatile stream are increased at 800 °C.This work was carried out with the financial support of the grants RTI2018–101678-B-I00, RTI2018–098283-J-I00 and PID2019–107357RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF, a way of making Europe”, and the grant IT1645–22 funded by the Basque Government. Moreover, this project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 823745

Adaptación, implementación y evaluación de la efectividad de la "lista de verificación de parto seguro" en cuatro hospitales de México

La salud materna e infantil siguen siendo de los temas de mayor relevancia cuando se estudia la salud de una población. México no ha alcanzado las metas marcadas en los acuerdos internacionales en relación a la disminución de la mortalidad materna, y está todavía bastante lejos (RMM actual 32) de la meta que debe cumplir para 2030 (RMM 12.6). A pesar de tener una cobertura de parto institucional por encima del 99%, no existe una mejora proporcional en la reducción de la muerte materna ni neonatal. Existe por tanto una clara oportunidad de mejora en torno a la atención y la calidad de la misma que reciben las mujeres y sus recién nacidos dentro del sistema de salud. Este proyecto surge de la invitación de la OMS a las instituciones interesadas a colaborar con proyectos de investigación que la puedan validar la LVPS en diversos entornos y países, con el objetivo de adaptar, implementar y evaluar la implementación y los efectos de la "lista de verificación de parto seguro" de la OMS en México mejorando la actuación de los profesionales en la atención del parto institucional. METODOLOGÍA En el marco de un estudio quasi-experimental se diseñó un estudio multietápico con el objetivo de adaptar, implementar y evaluar la efectividad de la “lista de verificación de parto seguro” en cuatro hospitales de México. Se recogió y analizó información de la línea base del estudio para conocer el punto de partida de las prácticas sobre las que la LVPS persigue influir y mejorar. Posteriormente y durante 8 meses, se llevó a cabo la implementación de la LVPS en 4 hospitales de la zona centro de México y el control en otro hospital en el que no se llevó a cabo ninguna intervención. La LVPS debía ser llenada por el personal de salud en todos los nacimientos por parto o cesárea de urgencia atendidos en los hospitales de intervención durante el periodo del estudio, de modo que mejorara la adherencia a las buenas prácticas para el manejo de las complicaciones obstétricas y perinatales de la madre y el recién nacido. RESULTADOS Se obtuvo una Lista de Verificación de Parto Seguro adaptada al contexto mexicano, y se diseñaron un total de 53 indicadores (13 de estructura, 30 de proceso y 10 de resultado). El desempeño de la implementación de la LVPS fue muy desigual entre madre y recién nacidos, así como entre los hospitales de intervención y fases o etapas de la atención del parto. Se encontró una gran variabilidad en el uso de la LVPS entre hospitales, con un rango entre 16.9% y 66.2% en las madres y entre 63.3% y 83.5%en los recién nacidos. La percepción positiva sobre la LVPS varió mucho entre los perfiles profesionales. Los profesionales que se consideraban con conocimientos sobre la LVPS tenían mayor probabilidad de llenarla (OR= 10.8; 95%IC 2.6 – 44.5). Los únicos indicadores que mejoraron en los hospitales de intervención fueron los de cuidado inmediato del recién nacido (línea base= 56.2%; post-implementación= 63.9%) y lactancia materna inmediata (línea base= 19.6%; post-implementación=31.6%). El análisis de diferencias en diferencias mostró mejora significativa en cuidados inmediatos del recién nacido en uno de los hospitales de intervención (OR=1.97; 95% IC 1.4 - 2.8]. La mejora en lactancia resultó significativa en 3 de los 4 hospitales de intervención y en la comparación del agregado de los 4 hospitales contra el control (OR=1.86; 95%IC 1.3 - 2.7) CONCLUSIONES México cuenta en la actualidad con una Lista de Verificación de Parto Seguro adaptada a su normatividad y sus guías de práctica clínica nacionales. La adaptación al contexto mexicano fue un paso fundamental para su aceptación en las instituciones de salud. En este estudio hemos encontrado diferencias importantes entre el cumplimiento observado y los registros realizados por los profesionales de salud. El uso de la LVPS generalmente se asocia con una mejora en las buenas prácticas y algunos resultados inmediatos, pero se debe estar alerta de la existencia del riesgo de que la LVPS se convierta en un “papeleo” de rutina, en lugar de una herramienta para mejorar la atención. No fue posible mostrar una fuerte asociación entre los factores establecidos como posibles determinantes para la implementación de la LVPS y el llenado de la misma. INTRODUCTION Maternal and child health continue to be the most relevant issues when studying population´s health. Mexico has not reached the goals set in international agreements in relation to the reduction of maternal mortality, and it is still quite far (current MMR 32) from the goal it must meet by 2030 (MMR 12.6). Despite having a coverage of institutional childbirth above 99%, there is no proportional improvement in the reduction of maternal or neonatal death. There is therefore a clear opportunity for improvement around the care and quality of it received by women and their newborns within the health system. This project arises from the invitation of the World Health Organization to the interested institutions to collaborate with research projects that can validate the SCC in different environments and countries, with the objective of adapt, implement and evaluate the implementation and the effects of the Safe Chilbirth Checklist of the WHO in Mexico, improving the performance of professionals in institutional delivery care. METHODOLOGY Within the framework of a quasi-experimental study, a multi-stage study was designed with the aim of adapt, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the "safe childbirth checklist" in four hospitals in Mexico. Information was collected and analyzed from the baseline of the study to know the starting point of the practices on which the SCC aims to influence and improve. Subsequently and for 8 months, the implementation of the SCC was carried out in 4 hospitals in the central zone of Mexico and the control in another hospital in which no intervention was carried out. The SCC was to be completed by the health personnel in all deliveries by emergency delivery or caesarean section attended in the intervention hospitals during the study period, in order to improve the adherence to good practices for the management of obstetric complications. RESULTS A Safe childbirth checlist List adapted to the Mexican context was obtained, and a total of 53 indicators were designed (13 of structure, 30 of process and 10 of result). The performance of the implementation of SCC was very unequal between mother and newborns, as well as between intervention hospitals and phases or stages of delivery care. A great variability was found in the use of SCC among hospitals, with a range between 16.9% and 66.2% in mothers and between 63.3% and 83.5% in newborns.The positive perception of the SCC varied greatly among the professional profiles The logistic regression model showed that professionals who considered themselves to be knowledgeable about SCC were more likely to complete it (OR = 10.8, 95% CI 2.6 - 44.5). For the evaluation of the effectiveness of the SCC, 2401 clinical records, 1443 SCC of newborns and 993 SCC of mothers found in them were reviewed. In both the intervention and control hospitals, differences were found between the baseline and post-intervention stage, but without a pattern of improvement in the measured indicators.The only indicators that improved in the intervention hospitals were immediate care of the newborn (baseline = 56.2%, post-implementation = 63.9%) and immediate breastfeeding (baseline = 19.6%; post-implementation = 31.6%). The analysis of differences in differences showed significant improvement in immediate care of the newborn in one of the intervention hospitals (OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.4 - 2.8.] The improvement in lactation was significant in 3 of the 4 intervention hospitals and in the comparison of the aggregate of the 4 hospitals against control (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.3 - 2.7). CONCLUSIONS Mexico currently has a Safe Chilbirth Checklist that is adapted to its regulations and its national clinical practice guidelines. Adaptation to the Mexican context was a fundamental step for its acceptance in health institutions. In this study we have found important differences between observed compliance and the records made by health professionals. The use of SCC is generally associated with an improvement in good practices and some immediate results, but one should be alert to the existence of the risk that the SCC becomes a routine "paperwork", instead of a tool for improve attention. It was not possible to show a strong association between the established factors as possible determinants for the implementation of the SCC and the filling of i

Construction and pilot test of a set of indicators to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the who safe childbirth checklist

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the “Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) Collaboration” in 2012. The SCC is designed to contribute to quality care by providing reminders of evidence-based practices for the prevention and management of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, indicators to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the SCC have not been defined. This study aimed to produce and pilot test a set of valid, reliable and feasible indicators to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the SCC, with an emphasis on best practices. Methods As part of the WHO Collaboration, the SCC was adapted to the Mexican context, and a set of indicators was developed to assess the SCC use and adherence to SCC-related best practices. The indicators were pilot tested in three hospitals for feasibility and reliability using the prevalence- and bias-adjusted kappa index (PABAK) for multiple independent evaluators (initial sample, n = 47; second sample, n = 30 to re-test reliability). The data sources were clinical records and cognitive tests drawn from questionnaires to mothers and health professionals. Results We generated 53 indicators, and 38 of the indicators (those related to best practices and outcomes) were pilot tested. Of these, 26 relate to care for the mother (20 were measured based on clinical records and 6 via questionnaire), and 12 relate to newborn care (9 were medical record-based and 3 were from questionnaires). Feasible indicators were generally also reliable (PABAK≥0.6). Routine feasibility is affected by the frequency of assessed events. Conclusions The generated indicators allow an assessment of the implementation and effectiveness of the SCC and the monitoring of quality of care during childbirth and the immediate postpartum period

Additional file 1: of Construction and pilot test of a set of indicators to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the who safe childbirth checklist

Mexico Safe Childbirth Checklist for mother and newborn (spanish). The original WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist was refined and adapted to the Mexican context. (PDF 5695 kb

Indicators for monitoring maternal and neonatal quality care: a systematic review

Abstract Background Research and different organizations have proposed indicators to monitor the quality of maternal and child healthcare, such indicators are used for different purposes. Objective To perform a systematic review of indicators for the central phases of the maternal and child healthcare continuum of care (pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care and postpartum). Method A search conducted using international repositories, national and international indicator sets, scientific articles published between 2012 and 2016, and grey literature. The eligibility criteria was documents in Spanish or English with indicators to monitor aspects of the continuum of care phases of interest. The identified indicators were characterized as follows: formula, justification, evidence level, pilot study, indicator type, phase of the continuum, intended organizational level of application, level of care, and income level of the countries. Selection was based on the characteristics associated with scientific soundness (formula, evidence level, and reliability). Results We identified 1791 indicators. Three hundred forty-six were duplicated, which resulted in 1445 indicators for analysis. Only 6.7% indicators exhibited all requirements for scientific soundness. The distribution by the classifying variables is clearly uneven, with a predominance of indicators for childbirth, hospital care and facility level. Conclusions There is a broad choice of indicators for maternal and child healthcare. However, most indicators lack demonstrated scientific soundness and refer to particular continuum phases and levels within the healthcare system. Additional efforts are needed to identify good indicators for a comprehensive maternal and child healthcare monitoring system

Huerto e invernadero en mi cole

La experiencia lleva a cabo la repoblación de un encinar en las proximidades del centro y la creación de un invernadero y un huerto escolar. Los objetivos son: fomentar en nuestro alumnado el amor por la naturaleza y los hábitos de trabajo al aire libre, aprender a ser buenos consumidores conociendo los diferentes productos y sus propiedades alimentarias, conocer el ciclo de las estaciones, establecer relaciones entre el colegio y otras instituciones y conocer distintos tipos de plantas, su reproducción, nutrición y relación. Las actividades se centran en el acondicionamiento, plantación y cuidados de las plantas, elaborando fichas de observación con los resultados. Se evalúa el grado de consecución de los objetivos a partir de la guía de observación, la recogida de datos, cuestionarios, entrevistas y debates.Madrid (Comunidad Autónoma). Consejería de Educación y CulturaMadridMadrid (Comunidad Autónoma). Subdirección General de Formación del Profesorado. CRIF Las Acacias; General Ricardos 179 - 28025 Madrid; Tel. + 34915250893ES

Additional file 3: of Construction and pilot test of a set of indicators to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the who safe childbirth checklist

Set of SCC indicators (spanish version). The detailed definitions of the indicators in Spanish. (DOCX 116 kb

Additional file 2: of Construction and pilot test of a set of indicators to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the who safe childbirth checklist

Mexico Safe Childbirth Checklist for mother and newborn (english). The original WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist was refined and adapted to the Mexican context and translated to english language. (PDF 458 kb

Additional file 4: of Construction and pilot test of a set of indicators to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the who safe childbirth checklist

Set of SCC indicators (english version). The detailed definitions of the indicators in English. (DOCX 139 kb