Evaluación de las emisiones de contaminantes de centrales azucareros en Camagüey/Evaluation of pollutant emissions from sugar mills in Camagüey

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo estimar mediante factores de emisión los contaminantes atmosféricos (SO2, NOx y el material particulado) emitidos por las calderas de centrales azucareros de Camagüey, Cuba. Como resultado se obtuvieron valores de emisión inferiores a los de termoeléctricas y grupos electrógenos pero varios ordenes superior que los de los generadores de vapor convencionales que emplean hidrocarburos como combustible. La comprobación de las emisiones con las Emisiones Máximas Admisibles de la NC/TS 803: 2010, para la categoría de fuentes existentes evidenció que para el material particulado (MP) y los NOx de todas las chimeneas se superan los máximos legales. No obstante, para el SO2 ninguna de las emisiones sobrepasa el valor fijado. Por ello se propone la introducción de bioeléctricas con bagazo como combustible para contribuir a la reducción de la contaminación atmosférica.The objective of this work is to estimate, through emission factors, the atmospheric pollutants (SO2, NOx and particulate matter) emitted by the sugarcane boilers of Camagüey, Cuba. As a result, lower emission values were obtained than those of thermoelectric and generator sets but several orders higher than those of conventional steam generators that use hydrocarbons as fuel. The verification of the emissions with the Maximum Allowable Emissions of the NC / TS 803: 2010, for the category of existing sources showed that for the particulate matter (PM) and the NOx of all the chimneys the legal maximums are exceeded. However, for SO2 none of the emissions exceeds the set value. Therefore, the introduction of bioelectric plants with bagasse as a fuel is proposed to contribute to the reduction of atmospheric pollution

Huella ecológica como indicador de sostenibilidad. Perspectiva en Cuba

El trabajo investigativo analiza las principales referencias científicas relacionadas con la huella ecológica, a partir del paradigma económico que, desde la Revolución Industrial, ha marcado las pautas en la desigual relación hombre-biosfera que comenzó a evidenciar extorsiones en las décadas pasadas. Así, en los años ochenta surgió un término que trataba de equilibrar de nuevo las debilitadas relaciones hombre-medio natural: el Desarrollo Sostenible. Esta expresión fue evolucionando con el transcurso de los años y en la cual intervienen diversas dimensiones más allá de los tradicionales enfoques económico, social y ambiental. Con el propósito de lograr convertirlos en medidas concretas, tangibles para los ciudadanos y manejables para el gestor, se hizo necesario desarrollar indicadores como la huella ecológica. Las investigaciones científicas consultadas, han demostrado la evolución de esta terminología aplicada por gobiernos, organizaciones, empresas e individuos. En la presente investigación se analizó el comportamiento de la huella ecológica de Cuba la cual se mantuvo entre 1.5 y 2 hag, muy inferior a la de los países estudiados. Se reportaron, además, los resultados de las evaluaciones de varios indicadores de sostenibilidad y la correlación de estos con la huella ecológica. Se expusieron los casos de estudios de estimación de huella ecológica y huella de carbono destacándose la industria azucarera. Las experiencias obtenidas en el cálculo de este indicador, demuestran que es posible su extensión a otros sectores económicos, significando el compromiso de las empresas cubanas en el cuidado del medio ambiente y en la lucha contra el cambio climático.El trabajo investigativo analiza las principales referencias científicas relacionadas con la huella ecológica, a partir del paradigma económico que, desde la Revolución Industrial, ha marcado las pautas en la desigual relación hombre-biosfera que comenzó a evidenciar extorsiones en las décadas pasadas. Así, en los años ochenta surgió un término que trataba de equilibrar de nuevo las debilitadas relaciones hombre-medio natural: el Desarrollo Sostenible. Esta expresión fue evolucionando con el transcurso de los años y en la cual intervienen diversas dimensiones más allá de los tradicionales enfoques económico, social y ambiental. Con el propósito de lograr convertirlos en medidas concretas, tangibles para los ciudadanos y manejables para el gestor, se hizo necesario desarrollar indicadores como la huella ecológica. Las investigaciones científicas consultadas, han demostrado la evolución de esta terminología aplicada por gobiernos, organizaciones, empresas e individuos. En la presente investigación se analizó el comportamiento de la huella ecológica de Cuba la cual se mantuvo entre 1.5 y 2 hag, muy inferior a la de los países estudiados. Se reportaron, además, los resultados de las evaluaciones de varios indicadores de sostenibilidad y la correlación de estos con la huella ecológica. Se expusieron los casos de estudios de estimación de huella ecológica y huella de carbono destacándose la industria azucarera. Las experiencias obtenidas en el cálculo de este indicador, demuestran que es posible su extensión a otros sectores económicos, significando el compromiso de las empresas cubanas en el cuidado del medio ambiente y en la lucha contra el cambio climático

Non-invasive electromechanical assessment during atrial fibrillation identifies underlying atrial myopathy alterations with early prognostic value

Electromechanical characterization during atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a significant gap in the understanding of AF-related atrial myopathy. This study reports mechanistic insights into the electromechanical remodeling process associated with AF progression and further demonstrates its prognostic value in the clinic. In pigs, sequential electromechanical assessment during AF progression shows a progressive decrease in mechanical activity and early dissociation from its electrical counterpart. Atrial tissue samples from animals with AF reveal an abnormal increase in cardiomyocytes death and alterations in calcium handling proteins. High-throughput quantitative proteomics and immunoblotting analyses at different stages of AF progression identify downregulation of contractile proteins and progressive increase in atrial fibrosis. Moreover, advanced optical mapping techniques, applied to whole heart preparations during AF, demonstrate that AF-related remodeling decreases the frequency threshold for dissociation between transmembrane voltage signals and intracellular calcium transients compared to healthy controls. Single cell simulations of human atrial cardiomyocytes also confirm the experimental results. In patients, non-invasive assessment of the atrial electromechanical relationship further demonstrate that atrial electromechanical dissociation is an early prognostic indicator for acute and long-term rhythm control. Electromechanical characterization during atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a significant gap in the understanding of AF-related atrial myopathy. Here, the authors use non-invasive atrial electromechanical assessment during AF to identify early remodeling changes associated with underlying myopathy, which in the clinic decrease the probability of acute and mid-term successful rhythm control

ESICM LIVES 2016: part two : Milan, Italy. 1-5 October 2016.

Meeting abstrac

The impact of stapling technique and surgeon specialism on anastomotic failure after right?sided colorectal resection: an international multicentre, prospective audit

Aim There is little evidence to support choice of technique and configuration for stapled anastomoses after right hemicolectomy and ileocaecal resection. This study aimed to determine the relationship between stapling technique and anastomotic failure. Method Any unit performing gastrointestinal surgery was invited to contribute data on consecutive adult patients undergoing right hemicolectomy or ileocolic resection to this prospective, observational, international, multicentre study. Patients undergoing stapled, side?to?side ileocolic anastomoses were identified and multilevel, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore factors associated with anastomotic leak. Results One thousand three hundred and forty?seven patients were included from 200 centres in 32 countries. The overall anastomotic leak rate was 8.3%. Upon multivariate analysis there was no difference in leak rate with use of a cutting stapler for apical closure compared with a noncutting stapler (8.4% vs 8.0%, OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.54–1.53, P = 0.72). Oversewing of the apical staple line, whether in the cutting group (7.9% vs 9.7%, OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.52–1.46, P = 0.60) or noncutting group (8.9% vs 5.7%, OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.46–4.23, P = 0.55) also conferred no benefit in terms of reducing leak rates. Surgeons reporting to be general surgeons had a significantly higher leak rate than those reporting to be colorectal surgeons (12.1% vs 7.3%, OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.04–2.64, P = 0.04). Conclusion This study did not identify any difference in anastomotic leak rates according to the type of stapling device used to close the apical aspect. In addition, oversewing of the anastomotic staple lines appears to confer no benefit in terms of reducing leak rates. Although general surgeons operated on patients with more high?risk characteristics than colorectal surgeons, a higher leak rate for general surgeons which remained after risk adjustment needs further exploration

Relationship between method of anastomosis and anastomotic failure after right hemicolectomy and ileo-caecal resection: an international snapshot audit

Aim: The anastomosis technique used following right-sided colonic resection is widely variable and may affect patient outcome. This study aimed to assess the association between leak and anastomosis technique (stapled vs handsewn). Method: This was a prospective, multicentre, international audit including patients undergoing elective or emergency right hemicolectomy or ileo-caecal resection operations over a 2-month period in early 2015. The primary outcome measure was the presence of anastomotic leak within 30\ua0days of surgery, determined using a prespecified definition. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to assess the association between leak and anastomosis method, adjusting for patient, disease and operative cofactors, with centre included as a random-effect variable. Results: This study included 3208 patients, of whom 78.4% (n\ua0=\ua02515) underwent surgery for malignancy and 11.7% (n\ua0=\ua0375) underwent surgery for Crohn's disease. An anastomosis was performed in 94.8% (n\ua0=\ua03041) of patients, which was handsewn in 38.9% (n\ua0=\ua01183) and stapled in 61.1% (n\ua0=\ua01858). Patients undergoing handsewn anastomosis were more likely to be emergency admissions (20.5% handsewn vs 12.9% stapled) and to undergo open surgery (54.7% handsewn vs 36.6% stapled). The overall anastomotic leak rate was 8.1% (245/3041), which was similar following handsewn (7.4%) and stapled (8.5%) techniques (P\ua0=\ua00.3). After adjustment for cofactors, the odds of a leak were higher for stapled anastomosis (adjusted OR\ua0=\ua01.43; 95% CI: 1.04\u20131.95; P\ua0=\ua00.03). Conclusion: Despite being used in lower-risk patients, stapled anastomosis was associated with an increased anastomotic leak rate in this observational study. Further research is needed to define patient groups in whom a stapled anastomosis is safe

The relationship between method of anastomosis and anastomotic failure after right hemicolectomy and ileo-caecal resection: an international snapshot audit.

BACKGROUND: Anastomosis technique following right sided colonic resection is widely variable and may affect patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess the association between leak and anastomosis technique (stapled versus handsewn) METHODS: This was a prospective, multicentre, international audit including patients undergoing elective or emergency right hemicolectomy or ileo-caecal resection operations over a two-month period in early 2015. The primary outcome measure was the presence of anastomotic leak within 30 days of surgery, using a pre-specified definition. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to assess the association between leak and anastomosis method, adjusting for patient, disease and operative cofactors, with centre included as a random effect variable. RESULTS: This study included 3208 patients, of whom 78.4% (n=2515) underwent surgery for malignancy and 11.7% (n=375) for Crohn's disease. An anastomosis was performed in 94.8% (n=3041) of patients, which was handsewn in 38.9% (n=1183) and stapled in 61.1% (n=1858) cases. Patients undergoing handsewn anastomosis were more likely to be emergency admissions (20.5% handsewn versus 12.9% stapled) and to undergo open surgery (54.7% versus 36.6%). The overall anastomotic leak rate was 8.1% (245/3041), which was similar following handsewn (7.4%) and stapled (8.5%) techniques (p=0.3). After adjustment for cofactors, the odds of a leak were higher for stapled anastomosis (adjusted odds ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.95, p=0.03). DISCUSSION: Despite being used in lower risk patients, stapled anastomosis was associated with an increased anastomotic leak rate in this observational study. Further research is needed to define patient groups in whom a stapled anastomosis is safe. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserve