10 research outputs found

    Demand response strategy applied to planning the operation of an air conditioning system: Application to a medical center

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    Large air conditioning systems, such as those used in shopping and health centers, typically demand high amounts of energy. Several air conditioning technologies and energy management strategies seek to minimize consumption to reduce billing expenses and improve system efficiency. This work proposes a demand response framework to plan the daily operation of an air conditioning system with the aim of minimizing the energy cost and guaranteeing thermal comfort. The framework includes an electrical-analogous thermal model, the formulation of the energy optimization problem with thermal and electrical constraints. The ISO 7730 standard is used to evaluate thermal comfort. The approach is applied to the air conditioning system of a radiotherapy and medical imaging center in Argentina. The optimization problem is solved through a genetic algorithm. To evaluate the strategy, two scenarios with different power demands are proposed: Case 1 (with demands lower than 300 kW) and Case 2 (with a peak demand greater than 300 kW). The results are compared with those obtained from an on-off strategy control with hysteresis. Penalties for large demands are avoided in Case 2, and therefore an economic saving of ≅ 16.8% is achieved. The thermal comfort is improved in both cases, with thermal cost reduction of 40.6% and 29.2% for Cases 1 and 2, respectively.Fil: Bragagnolo, Sergio Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Tecnologica Nacional. Facultad Regional Cordoba. Centro de Investigacion Desarrollo y Transferencia de Ingenieria En Energia Electrica.; ArgentinaFil: Schierloh, R. M.. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Vega, Jorge Ruben. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Vaschetti, Jorge Carlos. Universidad Tecnologica Nacional. Facultad Regional Cordoba. Centro de Investigacion Desarrollo y Transferencia de Ingenieria En Energia Electrica.; Argentin

    Oxidación Selectiva de Alcohol Bencílico

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    Se sintetizaron materiales nano-estructurados del tipo MCM-41 modificados con Vanadio, Hierro y Cobalto para ser empleados en la reacción de oxidación de alcohol bencílico con H2O2 como oxidante. Los catalizadores fueron caracterizados por DRX, UV-Vis-RD, ICP-OES y adsorción de N2. Todos los catalizadores presentaron buena regularidad estructural y elevadas áreas específicas; el menor valor presentado por la muestra Co-M(60) podría ser adjudicado a la mayor proporción de óxidos, determinados por UV-Vis-RD. Los mejores resultados catalíticos fueron obtenidos con el V-M(60), lo cual podría estar dando cuenta de la alta eficiencia de los cationes V dispersos en la red que serían los sitios activos. Si bien los mejores valores de TON se alcanzaron con una relación sustrato/oxidante 1/1, la selectividad disminuyó notablemente. Así, hasta el momento se considera que agregados sucesivos de oxidante favorecerían la producción selectiva de benzaldehído

    Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

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    Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

    Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

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    Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

    Oxidación Selectiva de Alcohol Bencílico: Una alternativa eficiente en procesos de química fina.

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    MCM-41 nanostructured materials modified with Vanadium, Iron and Cobalt were synthetized and tested in the benzyl alcohol oxidation using H2O2 as oxidant. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, UV-Vis-DR, ICP-OES and N2 adsorption. All the catalysts showed good structural order and high specific areas; the low value corresponding to the Co-M(60) sample could be due to the higher presence of oxide species determined by UV-Vis-DR. The V-M(60) sample showed the best catalytic activity, giving account for the high efficiency of the highly dispersed V cations in the framework which could be considered the active sites for the benzyl alcohol oxidation reaction. Although, the highest TON values were obtained when a substrate/oxidant ratio of 1/1 was used, the selectivity to the desired product decreased notably. Thus, until now, it is considered that the successive additions of oxidant would favor the selective production of benzaldehyde.Se sintetizaron materiales nano-estructurados del tipo MCM-41 modificados con Vanadio, Hierro y Cobalto para ser empleados en la reacción de oxidación de alcohol bencílico con H2O2 como oxidante. Los catalizadores fueron caracterizados por DRX, UV-Vis-RD, ICP-OES y adsorción de N2. Todos los catalizadores presentaron buena regularidad estructural y elevadas áreas específicas; el menor valor presentado por la muestra Co-M(60) podría ser adjudicado a la mayor proporción de óxidos, determinados por UV-Vis-RD. Los mejores resultados catalíticos fueron obtenidos con el V-M(60), lo cual podría estar dando cuenta de la alta eficiencia de los cationes V dispersos en la red que serían los sitios activos. Si bien los mejores valores de TON se alcanzaron con una relación sustrato/oxidante 1/1, la selectividad disminuyó notablemente. Así, hasta el momento se considera que agregados sucesivos de oxidante favorecerían la producción selectiva de benzaldehído

    The Prevalence and the Impact of Frailty in Hepato-Biliary Pancreatic Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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    Background: Frailty has been associated with increased mortality among hepatobiliary pancreatic (HBP) cancer patients. Nevertheless, estimates of frailty prevalence in HBP cancers and the precise average effect regarding mortality remains uncertain. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify: (1) the prevalence of frailty in patients with liver and pancreatic cancers and (2) the impact of frailty on mortality in patients affected by liver and pancreatic cancers. Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed database search was conducted from inception until 1 November 2021, the pooled prevalence and relative risk (RR) estimate were calculated. Results: A total of 34,276 patients were identified and the weighted prevalence of frailty was 39%; (95% [C.I.] 23–56; I2 = 99.9%, p < 0.0001). Frailty was significantly associated with increased mortality RR 1.98 (95% [C.I.] 1.49–2.63; I2 = 75.9%, p = 0.006). Conclusions: Frailty prevalence is common among HBP cancer patients and exerts a significant negative impact on survival. These findings are characterized by significant heterogeneity and caution is warranted on their interpretation. However, stratification of patients with HBP cancer by frailty status may provide prognostic information and may inform priorities for decision-making strategy

    The Prevalence and the Impact of Frailty in Hepato-Biliary Pancreatic Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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    Background: Frailty has been associated with increased mortality among hepatobiliary pancreatic (HBP) cancer patients. Nevertheless, estimates of frailty prevalence in HBP cancers and the precise average effect regarding mortality remains uncertain. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify: (1) the prevalence of frailty in patients with liver and pancreatic cancers and (2) the impact of frailty on mortality in patients affected by liver and pancreatic cancers. Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed database search was conducted from inception until 1 November 2021, the pooled prevalence and relative risk (RR) estimate were calculated. Results: A total of 34,276 patients were identified and the weighted prevalence of frailty was 39%; (95% [C.I.] 23–56; I2 = 99.9%, p < 0.0001). Frailty was significantly associated with increased mortality RR 1.98 (95% [C.I.] 1.49–2.63; I2 = 75.9%, p = 0.006). Conclusions: Frailty prevalence is common among HBP cancer patients and exerts a significant negative impact on survival. These findings are characterized by significant heterogeneity and caution is warranted on their interpretation. However, stratification of patients with HBP cancer by frailty status may provide prognostic information and may inform priorities for decision-making strategy

    Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

    No full text
    Background: Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods: This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was coprioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low-middle-income countries. Results: In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of 'single-use' consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low-middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion: This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high- and low-middle-income countries
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