Opportunities and Challenges in the Application of Bioplastics: Perspectives from Formulation, Processing, and Performance.

Tremendously negative effects have been generated in recent decades by the continuously increasing production of conventional plastics and the inadequate management of their waste products. This demands the production of materials within a circular economy, easy to recycle and to biodegrade, minimizing the environmental impact and increasing cost competitiveness. Bioplastics represent a sustainable alternative in this scenario.

Adsorptive-Photocatalytic Composites of α-Ferrous Oxalate Supported on Activated Carbon for the Removal of Phenol under Visible Irradiation.

Adsorptive-photocatalytic composites based on activated carbon (AC) and α-ferrous oxalate dihydrate (α-FOD) were synthesized by an original two-step method and subsequently used for the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions. To obtain the composites, ferrotitaniferous black mineral sands (0.6FeTiO·0.

Biomass Valorization through Catalytic Pyrolysis Using Metal-Impregnated Natural Zeolites: From Waste to Resources.

Catalytic biomass pyrolysis is one of the most promising routes for obtaining bio-sustainable products that replace petroleum derivatives. This study evaluates the production of aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX)) from the catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass ( (PR) and (EG)). Chilean natural zeolite (NZ) was used as a catalyst for pyrolysis reactions, which was modified by double ion exchange (H2NZ) and transition metals impregnation (Cu5H2NZ and Ni5H2NZ).

Characterization and Performance of Peanut Shells in Caffeine and Triclosan Removal in Batch and Fixed-Bed Column Tests.

Peanut shells' adsorption performance in caffeine and triclosan removal was studied. Peanut shells were analyzed for their chemical composition, morphology, and surface functional groups. Batch adsorption and fixed-bed column experiments were carried out with solutions containing 30 mg/L of caffeine and triclosan.

Development of Porcine Accessory Sex Glands.

Accessory sex glands are recognized as targets of human disease and may have roles in reproductive success in livestock. The current experiments evaluated the influences of endogenous steroids on the development of porcine accessory sex glands, primarily in the neonatal period. When the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, was used to inhibit the production of endogenous estrogens in the postnatal interval, growth of the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands was stimulated.

Dataset on the mechanical and physical characterization of the Ecuadorian bamboo culms belonging to "Caña Mansa" biotype.

This article presents a set of experimental data on the mechanical and physical properties of the Ecuadorian endemic bamboo species (), specifically the "Caña Mansa" biotype. The data on compressive, shear, tensile and bending strength, as well as the moisture content and density, were obtained by carrying out the corresponding tests following the ISO 22157:2019 standard. For this purpose, each bamboo culm examined was divided along its height into three sections that were thoroughly characterized.

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) to determine cut-off points of clinical and biomolecular markers to discriminate mortality in severe COVID-19 living at high altitude.

Background: In 2020, Ecuador had one of the highest death rates because of COVID-19. The role of clinical and biomolecular markers in COVID disease prognosis, is still not well supported by available data. In order for these markers to have practical application in clinical decision-making regarding patient treatment and prognosis, it is necessary to know an optimal cut-off point, taking into consideration ethnic differences and geographic conditions.

Analytical Pyrolysis of and : Effects of Microwave Pretreatment on Pyrolytic Vapours Composition.

(PR) and (EG) are the most planted species in Chile. This research aims to evaluate the pyrolysis behaviour of PR and EG from the Bío Bío region in Chile. Biomass samples were subjected to microwave pretreatment considering power (259, 462, 595, and 700 W) and time (1, 2, 3, and 5 min).

Is ultrasonography accurate for the diagnosis of gallbladder polyps? A review of cholecystectomy specimens from patients diagnosed with gallbladder polyps over a 14-years period.

Introduction: Incidence of gallbladder polyps is 0,3-12%. It is important to differentiate pseudopolyps (cholesterol polyps, adenomyomatosis, inflammatory polyps), which do not have the capacity to become malignant, from true polyps (adenomas and adenocarcinomas). The main risk factors for malignancy are >6-10 mm, growth, sessile morphology, Indian ethnicity and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

A Case Report of Iliopsoas Abscess Secondary to Small Bowel Fistula.

Iliopsoas abscesses (IPAs) are rare infections in the musculature that can be difficult to diagnose due to nonspecific presentations. These abscesses are most commonly caused by either the hematogenous spread of a separate infectious source in the body or secondary to Crohn's disease and are typically treated with antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage. For cases complicated by bowel disease, multiloculated psoas abscess, or gas-forming organisms, surgical drainage may be indicated.

Optimization of Compression and Flexural Properties of Masonry Veneers with Recycled PET-1.

The study of new materials formulated using recycled polymers offers an ecological and sustainable alternative for the construction industry. In this work, we optimized the mechanical behavior of manufactured masonry veneers made from concrete reinforced with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from discarded plastic bottles. For this purpose, we used the response surface methodology to evaluate the compression and flexural properties.

How mild is mild haemophilia?

Introduction: People with mild haemophilia (PWMH) experience sporadic bleeds and are less likely to receive an early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and medical care. Arthropathy is a key determinant of health-related quality of life (QoL), producing pain, limitations in mobility and daily activities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and QoL associated with arthropathy in PWMH.

On sparse ensemble methods: An application to short-term predictions of the evolution of COVID-19.

Since the seminal paper by Bates and Granger in 1969, a vast number of ensemble methods that combine different base regressors to generate a unique one have been proposed in the literature. The so-obtained regressor method may have better accuracy than its components, but at the same time it may overfit, it may be distorted by base regressors with low accuracy, and it may be too complex to understand and explain. This paper proposes and studies a novel Mathematical Optimization model to build a sparse ensemble, which trades off the accuracy of the ensemble and the number of base regressors used.

Nanofluid Formulations Based on Two-Dimensional Nanoparticles, Their Performance, and Potential Application as Water-Based Drilling Fluids.

The development of sustainable, cost-efficient, and high-performance nanofluids is one of the current research topics within drilling applications. The inclusion of tailorable nanoparticles offers the possibility of formulating water-based fluids with enhanced properties, providing unprecedented opportunities in the energy, oil, gas, water, or infrastructure industries. In this work, the most recent and relevant findings related with the development of customizable nanofluids are discussed, focusing on those based on the incorporation of 2D (two-dimensional) nanoparticles and environmentally friendly precursors.

Effect of Health Information Exchange Plus a Care Transitions Intervention on Post-Hospital Outcomes Among VA Primary Care Patients: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Health information exchange (HIE) notifications when patients experience cross-system acute care encounters offer an opportunity to provide timely transitions interventions to improve care across systems.

Objective: To compare HIE notification followed by a post-hospital care transitions intervention (CTI) with HIE notification alone.

Design: Cluster-randomized controlled trial with group assignment by primary care team.

Magnetite Impregnated Lignocellulosic Biomass for Zn(II) Removal.

Magnetic composites obtained by impregnation of lignocellulosic biomass with magnetite nanoparticles were used for zinc(II) removal from aqueous synthetic solutions. Laurel, canelo and eucalyptus sawdust, with a particle size between 74 and 150 µm were used as support. Structural and morphological examinations of the composites confirmed the presence of magnetite nanoparticles in the lignocellulosic support.

Use of the p-values as a size-dependent function to address practical differences when analyzing large datasets.

Biomedical research has come to rely on p-values as a deterministic measure for data-driven decision-making. In the largely extended null hypothesis significance testing for identifying statistically significant differences among groups of observations, a single p-value is computed from sample data. Then, it is routinely compared with a threshold, commonly set to 0.

Impact of the solvent composition on the structural and mechanical properties of customizable electrospun poly(vinylpyrrolidone) fiber mats.

The performance of fibrous membrane composites fabricated electrospinning is strongly influenced by the solution's properties, process variables and ambient conditions, although a precise mechanism for controlling the properties of the resulting composite has remained elusive. In this work, we focus on the fabrication of electrospun poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) fibers, by varying both the polymer concentration and the mixture of ethanol (EtOH) and dimethylformamide (DMF) used as solvent. The impact of the solvent composition on the structural properties is assessed by a combined experimental and theoretical approach, employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheology, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and stress-strain curves obtained from tensile tests to characterize the fibrous membranes produced, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to explain the solvent's affect on PVP crystallization.

Impact of event notification services on timely follow-up and rehospitalization among primary care patients at two Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of event notification service (ENS) alerts on health care delivery processes and outcomes for older adults.

Materials And Methods: We deployed ENS alerts in 2 Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers using regional health information exchange (HIE) networks from March 2016 to December 2019. Alerts targeted VA-based primary care teams when older patients (aged 65+ years) were hospitalized or attended emergency departments (ED) outside the VA system.

Persistent organic pollutants: The trade-off between potential risks and sustainable remediation methods.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have become a very serious issue for the environment because of their toxicity, resistance to conventional degradation mechanisms, and capacity to bioconcentrate, bioaccumulate and biomagnify. In this review article, the safety, regulatory, and remediation aspects of POPs including aromatic, chlorinated, pesticides, brominated, and fluorinated compounds, are discussed. Industrial and agricultural activities are identified as the main sources of these harmful chemicals, which are released to air, soil and water, impacting on social and economic development of society at a global scale.

Caffeine adsorptive performance and compatibility characteristics (Eisenia foetida Savigny) of agro-industrial residues potentially suitable for vermifilter beds.

The caffeine adsorptive performance and compatibility characteristics (Eisenia foetida Savigny) of rice husk, peanut shell, corn cob and coconut fiber were studied, aiming to assess the suitability of these residues for vermifilter beds. For this purpose, the agro-industrial residues were characterized and the E. foetida Savigny compatibility was determined by acute and chronic toxicity tests.

Improving Patient Activation among Older Veterans: Results from a Social Worker-Led Care Transitions Intervention.

Older veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) often use both VHA and non-VHA providers for their care. This dual use, especially around an inpatient visit, can lead to fragmented care during the time of transition post-discharge. Interventions that target patient activation may be valuable ways to help veterans manage complex medication regimens and care plans from multiple providers.

Chemical Modification of Agro-Industrial Waste-Based Bioadsorbents for Enhanced Removal of Zn(II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions.

Contamination of water by heavy metals is a major environmental concern due to the potential ecological impact on human health and aquatic ecosystems. In this work, we studied the chemical modification of various fruit peels such as banana (BP), granadilla (GP), and orange ones (OP) in order to obtain novel bio-adsorbents to improve the removal of Zn(II) ions from 50 mg·L synthetic aqueous solutions. For this purpose, sodium hydroxide and calcium acetate were employed to modify the fruit peels.

Characteristics of Veterans With Non-VA Encounters Enrolled in a Trial of Standards-Based, Interoperable Event Notification and Care Coordination.

Introduction: Understanding how veterans use Veterans Affairs (VA) for primary care and non-VA for acute care can help policy makers predict future health care resource use. We aimed to describe characteristics of veterans enrolled in a multisite clinical trial of non-VA acute event notifications and care coordination and to identify patient factors associated with non-VA acute care.

Methods: Characteristics of 565 veterans enrolled in a prospective cluster randomized trial at the Bronx and Indianapolis VA Medical Centers were obtained by interview and chart review.

Improvement of organic matter and nutrient removal from domestic wastewater by using intermittent hydraulic rates on earthworm-microorganism biofilters.

Biofilters based on earthworms-microorganisms represent, particularly in developing countries, an interesting alternative for domestic wastewater treatment due to their easy operation and low cost. However, there are several operational aspects that should be better understood in order to improve their performance. This paper studies the effect of using intermittent hydraulic loading rates to improve organic matter and nutrient removal from domestic wastewater using these biofilters.