The State of the Art of Flow-Through Solid-Phase Spectrometry

Sample pretreatment is one of the bottlenecks in analytical chemistry, especially when dealing with complex matrices like environmental samples. When performed in a batch mode, sample handling methods are tedious and time consuming. Therefore, the hyphenation of these methods with flow-injection techniques yields many advantages. The possibility of automation not only increases the determination rate, but also decreases sample and reagent consumption. As a consequence, analyte separation, enrichment, and elimination of sample matrix becomes possible with an increase in selectivity and sensitivity. This is a significant contribution for the analysis of environmental samples because the analyte is usually present at trace levels in a complex matrix. In this scenario, the state of the art of solid-phase spectrometry (SPS) with a focus on the lab-on-valve (LOV) platform is discussed. LOV facilitates the manipulation of bead suspension for SPS with lower reagents consumption and waste production.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An overview on flow methods for the chemiluminescence determination of phosphorus

A review on the flow analysis of phosphorus with chemiluminescence detection is presented. A brief discussion of the chemiluminescence principles and applications is given. Particular emphasis is devoted to coupling different flow techniques (flow injection, sequential injection, multicommutation, multisyringe flow injection, multi-pumping) to chemiluminescence detection. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods, mostly applied to environmental samples, are summarized and compared in terms of application range, detection limits, flow configuration, repeatability and sampling rate

Membrane-based separation in flow analysis for environmental and food applications

Membrane-based separation techniques have been used as an efficient process for analyte separation or enrichment and matrix removal. By coupling these techniques to flow-based analysis, sample preparation and analyte detection can be automated and miniaturized. Different membrane separation techniques are available but the most used in flow analysis are gas diffusion, dialysis, supported liquid membranes and polymer inclusion membranes. The current state of the art of membrane-based separations hyphenated with flow techniques is presented along with a discussion of the applications to environmental and food analysis. Moreover, a brief description of gas diffusion, dialysis and membrane extraction techniques is also included.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Turbidimetric and nephelometric flow analysis$econcepts and applications

A review on flow analysis with turbidimetric and nephelometric detection is presented. A brief discussion of the principles of turbidimetry and nephelometry is given. Particular emphasis is devoted to coupling different flow techniques (flow injection, sequential injection, multicommutation) to these detection techniques. Applications in environmental, pharmaceutical, biological, and food samples are summarized and compared in terms of application range, flow configuration, repeatability, and sampling rate

Patient suicide : the experience of Portuguese doctors and psychologists

RESUMO - Objetivo: Descrever o impacto do suicídio de um paciente em profissionais de saúde portugueses (psicólogos, psiquiatras e médicos de medicina geral). Método: Foi usado um questionário de autorresposta sobre características, experiência e impacto do suicídio de um paciente. Resultados: Duzentos e quarenta e dois profissionais responderam ao questionário e 64 tiveram, pelo menos, um paciente que se suicidou. Sofrimento emocional (47%), preocupações, dúvidas e medo (35%), frustração (28%), choque e surpresa (23%) foram os sentimentos mais relatados. Maior atenção, vigilância e rigor na avaliação e intervenção foram as reações mais frequentes após o suicídio do paciente (80%). Aumento da insegurança e ansiedade foram também relatados (28%). Colegas, contacto com a família do paciente e a revisão do caso foram os recursos de ajuda mais usados. Supervisor, revisão de caso e colegas foram avaliados como os mais úteis. Não foram encontradas diferenças de acordo com o género, idade ou grupo profissional na vivência deste acontecimento. Conclusão: Os resultados mostram que o suicídio de um paciente tem um impacto profissional e emocional considerável. Porém, este acontecimento difícil também pode ser uma oportunidade de aprendizagem e crescimento profissional, levando a mudanças positivas e adequadas na prática clínica, relativamente à gestão do risco de suicídio e suas consequências.ABSTRACT - Objective: To describe the impact of a patient suicide on Portuguese health professionals(psychologists, psychiatrists and general physicians). Method: A self-report questionnaire, which assessed the characteristics, experience and impact of a patient suicide, was used. Results: 242 health professionals filled the questionnaire and 64 professionals had been confronted with at least one patient suicide. Emotional suffering (47%), concerns, doubts and fear (35%), frustration (28%) and shock and surprise (23%) were the most common feelings reported by health professionals. Increased attention, vigilance and accuracy in assessment and intervention were the most frequent reaction after the patient suicide (80%). Increased insecurity and anxiety were also reported (28%). Colleagues, contact with patient’s family and case review were the sources of help more frequently used, and supervisor, team case review and colleagues were rated as the most useful. There were no differences according to gender, age or professional group in the experience of this event. Conclusion: The results show that the suicide of a patient has a considerable professional and emotional impact. However, this difficult event can also be an opportunity for learning and professional growth leading to positive and adequate changes in clinical practice with regard to the management of suicide risk and its aftermath.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ups and Downs of Trampoline Use by Children: Risks and Current Recommendations

The widespread increase in the recreational use of trampolines by children can be partially explained by the recent need to stay indoors during lockdowns due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. At the same time, there was a global increase in the number of pediatric accidents resulting from the domestic use of these devices. The resulting injuries may be severe, especially in younger age groups. Although the use of trampolines by children is discouraged in safety recommendations published by several scientific societies and some recent studies, there is still concern about the lack of knowledge about the risks of trampoline-related injuries. In this regard, this review article aimed to highlight the unique role of the pediatrician and / or family physician advising parents and caregivers as well as the general population to prevent trampoline-related accidents involving children

Polymer Nanocomposites

The development of polymer nanocomposites has advanced, especially due to their new properties after nanoparticle incorporation. Many nanocomposites composed of synthetic polymers and/or biopolymers have been studied after incorporation of a diversity of nanoparticles, which differ in form, shape, surface area and chemical organization. In this chapter, some examples of nanocomposites based on poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA); polycarbonate (PC) and matrixes of dental resins are presented. These nanocomposites could be obtained by three basic methods: in situ polymerization, solution casting and melt extrusion. The best method is determined by the relation and route to the polymer-nanoparticle pair. The dispersion and distribution of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix is the key to obtaining new materials with synergism of compounds properties. This synergism depends on how strong is the intermolecular interaction between the polymer matrix and nanoparticles. The evaluation of new nano systems can be done by different techniques, usually microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and so on. Low-field NMR relaxometry has been used to evaluate polymer nanocomposites. This technique provides valuable information related to the interaction of the nanoparticles with the polymer matrix, and it also indicates the dispersion and distribution of these nanoparticles in the matrix

Interferences minimization using solid phase extraction in a multiparametric sequential injection system

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio