PENGARUH STRUKTUR KATION TERHADAP STABILITAS TERMAL DAN JARAK ANTAR LAPIS BENTONIT TERMODIFIKASI KATION BENZOTRIAZOLIUM

Telah dilakukan studi pengaruh struktur kation terhadap stabilitas termal dan jarak antar lapis bentonit termodifikasi kation benzotriazolium. Bentonit dimodifikasi dengan kation 1,2,3-benzotriazolium yang strukturnya divariasikan melalui tiga gugus N-alkil dengan panjang berbeda yaitu oktadesil, heksadesil dan oktil. Modifikasi bentonit dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui karakter fisikokimia (stabilitas termal) dan struktur mikro (jarak antar lapis) organobentonit sebagai fungsi struktur kation yang dapat digunakan pada pemrosesan nanokomposit polimer-silikat. Penelitian dimulai dengan melakukan pencucian bentonit alam, kemudian bentonit tersebut dibuat menjadi Na-bentonit. Pemodifikasi organik yang disintesis adalah 1,3-metil oktadesil 1,2,3- benzotriazolium bromida 1, 1,3-metil heksadesil 1,2,3-benzotriazolium bromida 2 dan 1,3-metil oktil 1,2,3-benzotriazolium bromida 3. Bentonit termodifikasi dibuat dengan cara memasukkan garam melalui proses interkalasi. Analisis struktur menggunakan metode spektroskopi infra merah (FTIR) terhadap garam hasil sintesis menunjukkan adanya kesesuaian dengan yang diharapkan. Uji sifat fisikokimia menggunakan metode Thermogravimetry/Differential Thermal Analysis (TG/DTA) menunjukkan bahwa kestabilan termal garam hasil sintesis tertinggi dimiliki 1 (terdekomposisi pada suhu 325 oC), selanjutnya 2 (terdekomposisi pada suhu 313 oC) dan 3 (terdekomposisi pada suhu 235 oC). Kestabilan bentonit termodifikasi 1, 2, dan 3 ditunjukkan oleh titik dekomposisinya berturut-turut adalah 362 oC, 367 oC, dan 352 oC. Hasil uji jarak antar lapisan bentonit melalui metode XRD menunjukkan bahwa bentonit termodifikasi garam benzotriazolium mengalami perubahan jarak berturut-turut Na-bentonit (15,4 Angstrom), bentonit termodifikasi 2 (15,7 Angstrom), bentonit termodifikasi 1 (16,3 Angstrom) dan bentonit termodifikasi 3 (16,7 Angstrom). Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa struktur kation pada bentonit termodifikasi kation benzotriazolium akan berpengaruh pada kestabilan termal dan jarak antar lapis (d-spacing) pada bentonit

Academic Technology Center of UFRGS as a community of practice and possibility of creation of non-formal learning spaces : an ethnographic study

A promoção de autênticas experiências de aprendizagem na formação discente é um desafio para a maior parte das instituições de ensino. A busca por iniciativas já em andamento que possam contribuir para alcançar este objetivo pode revelar possibilidades de ações futuras. No presente trabalho apresentamos os resultados de um estudo etnográfico no Centro de Tecnologia Acadêmica da UFRGS. Entendemos que seu modelo de gestão de conhecimento pode servir para o cultivo de ambientes não formais de aprendizagem. Como resultado, pudemos tipificar o CTA como uma Comunidade de Prática, identificando seus elementos estruturais. Tal caracterização pode inspirar a criação de centros similares em outras instituições de ensino, auxiliando, assim, profissionais interessados em ampliar as oportunidades formativas de seus estudantes.Proporcionar auténticas experiencias de aprendizaje en la capacitación de los estudiantes es un desafío para muchas instituciones educativas. La búsqueda de iniciativas en curso que puedan contribuir a lograr este objetivo puede exponer posibilidades para acciones futuras. En este trabajo presentamos los resultados de un estudio etnográfico en el Centro de Tecnología Académica de UFRGS (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul). Suponemos que su modelo de gestión del conocimiento se puede utilizar para fomentar espacios no formales de aprendizaje. Como resultado, pudimos caracterizar el CTA como una comunidad de práctica, identificando sus elementos estructurales. Esta caracterización puede inspirar la creación de centros similares en otras instituciones de enseñanza, lo que ayudaría a los profesionales interesados en ampliar las oportunidades de capacitación para sus estudiantes.Provide authentic learning experiences in the training of students is a challenge for many educational institutions. The search for ongoing initiatives that can contribute to achieving this objective may expose possibilities for future actions. In this work we present the results of an ethnographic study in a Center of Academic Technology of a Brazilian public university. We assume that its knowledge management model can be used to foster non-formal learning spaces. As a result, we were able to typify it as a community of practice, identifying its structural elements. This characterization can inspire the creation of similar centers in other teaching institutions, assisting professionals interested in expanding the training opportunities for their students

Laser ablation is superior to TACE in large-sized hepatocellular carcinoma: A pilot case-control study

Background:Limited therapies are available for large ( 6540 mm) unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, the standard treatment with transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is unsatisfactory with high recurrence rate and limited effect on survival. Laser Ablation (LA) has emerged as a relatively new technique characterized by high efficacy and good safety. This study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LA in comparison to TACE in patients with large HCC. Methods: Eighty-two patients with a single HCC nodule 6540 mm (BCLC stage A or B) were enrolled in this case-control study. Forty-one patients were treated with LA and 41 patients were treated with TACE. Response to therapy was evaluated according to the mRECIST criteria. Survival was calculated with Kaplan-Meier from the time of cancer diagnosis to death with values censored at the date of the last follow-up. Results: Twenty-six (63.4%) and 8 (19.5%) patients had a complete response after LA and TACE, respectively (p < 0.001). Subsequently we stratified the HCCs in 3 categories according to the nodule size: 40-50 mm, 51-60 mm, and > 60 mm. LA resulted superior to TACE especially in nodules ranging between 51 and 60 mm in diameter, with a complete response rate post-LA and post-TACE of 75% and 14.3%, respectively (p = 0.0133). The 36 months cumulative survival rate in patients treated with LA and TACE was 55.4% and 48.8%, respectively. The disease recurrence rates after LA and TACE were 19.5% and 75.0%, respectively. Conclusions: LA is a more effective therapeutic option than TACE in patients with solitary large HCC

Rancangan Sistem Rekomendasi Terapis Berbasis Form Rating di Mariaty’s Spa

The growth rate of spa industry in Bandung is getting higher each year which can be proven by the level of development recorded in BPS 2015 approximately 7.63%. It is make Mariaty's Spa need to think of new ways to mantain their sales. Therefore, the aim of this research is to proposed system of therapist recommendations based on the therapist's highest rating for maintaining sales.This research used an exploratory method. All data were obtained from interview with receptionist Mariaty's Spa and analyzed using the MIT 90's Framework that describes the state of internal and external Mariaty's Spa. Moreover, the author’s using BPMN to analyze the actual business process and describe the design of the proposed new business processes

Rancangan Sistem Rekomendasi Terapis Berbasis Form Rating di Mariaty's Spa

The growth rate of spa industry in Bandung is getting higher each year which can be proven by the level of development recorded in BPS 2015 approximately 7.63%. It is make Mariaty's Spa need to think of new ways to mantain their sales. Therefore, the aim of this research is to proposed system of therapist recommendations based on the therapist's highest rating for maintaining sales.This research used an exploratory method. All data were obtained from interview with receptionist Mariaty's Spa and analyzed using the MIT 90's Framework that describes the state of internal and external Mariaty's Spa. Moreover, the author's using BPMN to analyze the actual business process and describe the design of the proposed new business processes

Observational retrospective study of vascular modulator changes during treatment in essential thrombocythemia

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients are at risk of developing thrombotic events. Qualitative platelet (PLT) abnormalities and activation of endothelial cells (ECs) and PLTs are thought to be involved. Microparticles (MPs) can originate from PLTs (PMPs), ECs (EMPs), or red cells (RMPs). Previous studies have indicated that MPs contribute to ET pathophysiology. Endothelial modulators (eg, nitric oxide [NO], adrenomedullin [ADM], and endothelin-1 [ET-1]) are also involved in the pathophysiology of this condition. We hypothesized that treatments for reducing PLT count might also indirectly affect MP generation and endothelial activity by altering endothelial modulator production. The rationale of this study was that hydroxyurea (HU), a cytostatic drug largely used in ET, induces the production of a potent vasoactive agent NO in ECs. An observational retrospective study was designed to investigate the relationship between MPs, NO, ADM, and ET-1 in ET patients on treatment with HU, anagrelide (ANA), aspirin (ASA), and a group of patients before treatment. A total of 63 patients with ET diagnosis: 18 on HU + ASA, 15 on ANA + ASA, 19 on ASA only, and 11 untreated patients, and 18 healthy controls were included in this study. Blood samples were analyzed for MP (absolute total values) and functional markers (percentage values) by flow cytometry. PLT-derived MPs were studied using CD61, CD62P, CD36, and CD63, whereas endothelial-derived MPs were studied using CD105, CD62E, and CD144. Endothelial modulator markers (NO, ADM, and ET-1) were measured by ELISA. Total MP count was higher in the group treated with ANA + ASA (P < 0.01). MP markers modified in ET patients returned to levels of healthy controls following treatment, in particular, in patients on ANA treatment. NO and ADM values were higher in the HU group (P < 0.001). HU and ANA treatment also affected MP production in a cell origin-specific manner. HU and ANA, although acting via different pathways, have similar final effects. For instance, HU causes vasodilatation by increasing NO and ADM levels, whereas ANA impairs vasoconstriction by reducing ET-1. In conclusion, therapy with HU cytostatic drugs and ANA can reduce PLT count in ET, and also affect endothelial modulatory agents, with HU sustaining vasodilation and prothrombotic MP concentration, whereas ANA decreases vasoconstriction

New insights into sinusoidal obstruction syndrome

Entry criteria included patients who developed sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) at a single centre from January 2000 to December 2011. Patients who underwent haemopoietic stem cell transplantation or actinomicyn-based chemotherapy for nephroblastoma were selected. The study group comprised five patients with SOS who were compared with a control group of seven patients without SOS

Monofocal hepatocellular carcinoma: How much does size matter?

Background & aims: According to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, monofocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is classified as early (BCLC A) irrespective of its size, even though controversies still exist regarding staging and treatment of large tumours. We aimed at evaluating the appropriate staging and treatment for large (>5 cm) monofocal (HCC). Methods: From the Italian Liver Cancer database, we selected 924 patients with small early monofocal HCC (2-5 cm; SEM-HCC), 163 patients with larger tumours (>5 cm; LEM-HCC) and 1048 intermediate stage patients (BCLC B). Results: LEM-HCC patients had a worse overall survival (OS) than SEM-HCC (31.0 vs 49.0 months; P < .0001), and this was confirmed at multivariate analysis (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.29-2.05; P < .0001). The small difference in OS between LEM-HCC and BCLC B patients (31.0 vs 27.0 months; P = .03) disappeared in the multivariate model (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.77-1.25; P = .89). In all monofocal tumours, treatment was the strongest independent predictor of survival, with a progressively decreasing survival benefit moving from "curative" to "palliative" therapies. The survival of resected patients with LEM-HCC was significantly shorter than that of SEM-HCC (44.0 vs 78.0 months; P = .002), but liver resection provided the highest survival benefit in both groups compared to other treatments. Conclusions: Monofocal HCC larger than 5 cm should not be staged as BCLC A and either a different staging system or a different subgrouping of patients (e.g. BCLC AB) should be used. Liver resection, if feasible, remains the recommended treatment for all these patients