Cellulosic materials as biopolymers and supercritical CO2as a green process: chemistry and applications

In this review, we describe the use of supercritical CO2 (scCO2) in several cellulose applications. The focus is on different technologies that either exist or are expected to emerge in the near future. The applications are wide from the extraction of hazardous wastes to the cleaning and reuse of paper or production of glucose. To put this topic in context, cellulose chemistry and its interactions with scCO2 are described. The aim of this study was to discuss the new emerging technologies and trends concerning cellulosic materials processed in scCO2 such as cellulose drying to obtain aerogels, foams and other microporous materials, impregnation of cellulose, extraction of highly valuable compounds from plants and metallic residues from treated wood. Especially, in the bio-fuel production field, we address the pre-treatment of cellulose in scCO2 to improve fermentation to ethanol by cellulase enzymes. Other reactions of cellulosic materials such as organic inorganic composites fabrication and de-polymerisation have been considered. Cellulose treatment by scCO2 has been discussed as well. Finally, other applications like deacidification of paper and cellulosic membranes fabrication in scCO2 have been reviewed. Examples of the discussed technologies are included as well

Phase equilibrium of the CO2/glycerol system: Experimental data by in situ FT-IR spectroscopy and thermodynamic modeling

Phase equilibrium experimental data for the CO2/glycerol system are reported in this paper. The measurements were performed using an in situ FT-IR method for temperatures ranging from 40 ◦C to 200 ◦C and pressures up to 35.0 MPa, allowing determination of the mutual solubility of both compounds. Concerning the CO2 rich phase, it was observed that the glycerol solubility in CO2 was extremely low (in the range of 10−5 in mole fraction) in the pressure and temperature domains investigated here. Conversely, the glycerol rich phase dissolved CO2 at mole fractions up to 0.13. Negligible swelling of the glycerol rich phase has been observed. Modeling of the phase equilibrium has been performed using the Peng–Robinson equation of state (PR EoS) with classical van der Waals one fluid and EoS/GE based mixing rules (PSRK and MHV2). Satisfactory agreement was observed between modeling results and experimental measurements when PSRK mixing rules are used in combination with UNIQUAC model, although UNIFAC predictive approach gives unsatisfactory representation of experimental behavior

La participacion de los stakeholders en las iniciativas de branding del hospital en las redes sociales: una propuesta de modelo para construir marcas colectivas

Introduction: All health organizations face many managerial and economic challenges such as the consolidation of private and international hospitals, the increasingly interest of society for health education issues or the development of telemedicine. In this framework, many organizations prioritize social media as the main corporate communication tool for building a reputed brand in a collective way along with stakeholders. Objectives: This paper aims to identify a communication model allowing hospitals to efficiently apply branding initiatives on social media in order to build a brand in a collective way with stakeholders. Methodology: We carried out a literature review about corporate communication, health communication, branding and social media; and, then, we proposed the PET Model for Branding Hospitals on Social Media. Results and Conclusion: We conclude that hospitals should create a multidisciplinar corporate communication department, implement management initiatives for allowing health professionals have more time for using social media and integrate health education and patient’s empowerment in every communication initiative.Introducción: Las organizaciones sanitarias hacen frente a muchos desafíos económicos y de gestión, como son la consolidación de los hospitales privados e internacionales, el creciente interés de la gente por la educación sanitaria o el desarrollo de la telemedicina. En este contexto, muchas organizaciones priorizan las redes sociales como principal herramienta de comunicación corporativa para construir una marca reputada de manera colectiva junto con los stakeholders (accionistas). Objetivos: Este artículo tiene como objetivo identificar un modelo de comunicación que permita a los hospitales aplicar de manera eficiente las iniciativas branding (entiquetar) en las redes sociales para construir así una marca colectiva junto con los stakeholders. Metodología: Llevamos a cabo una revisión bibliográfica sobre comunicación corporativa, comunicación de salud, branding y redes sociales; y, posteriormente, proponemos el Modelo PET para la promoción de la marca hospitalaria en redes sociales. Resultados y Conclusión: Los hospitales deben crear un departamento de comunicación corporativa multidisciplinar, implementar iniciativas de gestión para permitir que los profesionales de la salud tengan más tiempo para usar las redes sociales e integrar la educación sanitaria y el empoderamiento del paciente en cada iniciativa de comunicación

La promoción de la educación en salud a través de las mobile apps: Un estudio cuantitativo sobre los mejores hospitales del mundo

Introduction: Promoting health education through different platforms (patient portals, social media, websites) has become a common practice in many countries. Recently, many hospitals have prioritized mobile apps as a health education tool. Objectives: This paper aims to analyze how hospitals should use mobile apps to promote health education efficiently and this way improve their relations with patients. Methodology: To answer this question, we carried out a literature review about health education, mobile apps, patients’ empowerment, and noncommunicable diseases; and then, we resorted to 38 indicators to analyze how the top 150 hospitals in the world manage these platforms to promote health education. Conclusion: We concluded that the three main criteria that hospitals should consider when using mobile apps for health education purposes are: 1) respecting patients’ needs in terms of information and emotional support; 2) evaluating health professionals’ and patients’ skills in mobile literacy; and 3) considering public health priorities.Introducción: Promover la educación en salud a través de diferentes plataformas (portal del paciente, redes sociales, sitios web) se ha convertido en una práctica común en muchos países. Estos últimos años, muchos hospitales se han centrado en las aplicaciones móviles como herramienta de educación sanitaria. Objetivo: Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar cómo deberían utilizar los hospitales las mobile apps para fomentar la educación en salud y así mejorar sus relaciones con los pacientes. Metodología: Para responder a esta pregunta, realizamos una revisión de literatura sobre educación en salud, aplicaciones móviles, empoderamiento de los pacientes y enfermedades no transmisibles; y posteriormente, recurrimos a 38 indicadores para analizar cómo los 150 mejores hospitales del mundo gestionan estas plataformas para promover la educación en salud. Conclusión: Concluimos que los tres criterios principales que los hospitales deben respetar cuando usan aplicaciones móviles con fines educativos son: 1) respetar las necesidades informativas y emocionales de los pacientes; 2) evaluar las habilidades de los profesionales de la salud y los pacientes en alfabetización móvil; y 3) considerar las prioridades de salud pública

Hygrothermal Performance of Worship Spaces: Preservation, Comfort and Energy Consumption

The energy problem, one the most important on a global scale, greatly affects the environment. Much of the current energy consumption occurs in existing buildings, including heritage buildings with varying protected status. Energy intervention and heritage conservation conflict to some extent, as research focuses more on the search for improved energy efficiency solutions for materials and systems than on their application to heritage buildings. This study describes experimental research on environmental conditioning techniques in spaces of worship in a temperate climate in southern Spain. Buildings were monitored and assessed in the implementation of different environmental techniques—active and combined (passive and active)—with the aim of improving the thermal comfort conditions of the faithful while preserving the cultural heritage of these buildings. The need for a control system of RH and the air system was concluded, as well as radiant floors and radiators, which, in the considered case studies, would barely affect the artworks. 24- and 12-h operation are better suited to heritage preservation than occasional use. All operation schedules are valid for thermal comfort.Universidad de Malaga Universidad de Sevill

Impact on soil degradation factors of changes in rain intensity patterns in southern Spain

In southern of Spain, the torrential nature of the rainfalls alters the soil water availability for vegetation and, consequently, its spatially and temporally pattern. This fact, combined with the current global warming, raises a modification of the eco-geomorphological processes dynamics in Mediterranean areas

Desamortización y conflictos por tierras comunales en chalco, 1848-1900

Después del contexto estatal y local analicé los conflictos territoriales en diversos pueblos de la zona Chalco en los últimos años del decenio de 1840. La aparición de los conflictos en la zona de estudio antes de la aparición de la Ley Lerdo, fue causada por el cambio en el uso de los principales recursos productivos, la tierra y el agua. Asimismo presento algunos litigios que logré rastrear de 1800 a 1840 para contextualizar la problemática de la propiedad de la tierra en la zona de estudio.Una de estas zonas rurales fue Chalco. Diversos son los trabajos realizados sobre Chalco, en los que se abordan su herencia histórica, los cambios e innovaciones tecnológicos en materia agrícola e industrial, sus haciendas y pueblos, hasta las rebeliones y revoluciones acaecidas dentro de su territorio.2 Es una zona que por su cercanía a la ciudad de México y por la riqueza de sus tierras, presentó las condiciones propicias para la proliferación de conflictos territoriales causados, entre otras cosas, por la redefinición de los derechos de propiedad de los terrenos comunales de los pueblos durante el siglo decimonónico