A Comparison of Environmental Impact of Various Silicas Using a Green Chemistry Evaluator

To answer questions surrounding the sustainability of silica production, MilliporeSigma's DOZN 2.0 Green Chemistry Evaluator was employed as it provides quantitative values based on the 12 principles of Green Chemistry. As a first study using DOZN 2.0 to evaluate the greenness of nanomaterials, a range of silica types were considered and their greenness scores compared. These included low- and high-value silicas, both commercial and emerging, such as precipitated, gel, fumed, colloidal, mesoporous, and bioinspired silicas. When surveying these different types of silicas, it became clear that while low value silicas have excellent greenness scores, high-value silicas perform poorly on this scale. This highlighted the tension between high-value silicas that are desired for emerging markets and the sustainability of their synthesis. The calculations were able to quantify the issues pertaining to the energy-intensive reactions and subsequent removal of soft templates for the sol-gel processes. The importance of avoiding problematic solvents during processes and particularly releasing them as waste was identified. The calculations were also able to compare the amount of waste generated as well as their hazardous nature. The effects of synthesis conditions on greenness scores were also investigated in order to better understand the relationship between the production process and their sustainability.

Tomographic Study of Mesopore Formation in Ceria Nanorods

Porosity in functional oxide nanorods is a recently discovered new type of microstructure, which is not yet fully understood and still under evaluation for its impact on applications in catalysis and gas/ion storage. Here we explore the shape and distribution of pores in ceria in three dimensions using a modified algorithm of geometric tomography as a reliable tool for reconstructing defective and strained nanoobjects. The pores are confirmed as "negative-particle" or "inverse-particle" cuboctahedral shapes located exclusively beneath the flat surface of the rods separated via a sub-5 nm thin ceria wall from the outside. New findings also comprise elongated "negative-rod" defects, seen as embryonic nanotubes, and pores in cube-shaped ceria. Furthermore, we report near-sintering secondary heat treatment of nanorods and cubes, confirming persistence of pores beyond external surface rounding. We support our experiments with molecular modeling and predict that the growth history of voids is via diffusion and aggregation of atomic point defects. In addition, we use density functional theory to show that the relative stability of pore (shape) increases in the order "cuboidal" < "hexagonal-prismatic" < "octahedral". The results indicate that by engineering voids into nanorods, via a high-temperature postsynthetic heat treatment, a potential future alternative route of tuning catalytic activities might become possible.

Should the septum be included in the assessment of right ventricular longitudinal strain? An ultrasound two-dimensional speckle-tracking stress study

Right ventricular longitudinal strain (RVLS) by 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is a useful parameter for assessing systolic function. However, the exact method to perform it is not well defined as some authors evaluate only free wall (FW) segments while others include all six RV segments. To compare the assessment of RVLS at rest and during exercise by these two approaches. Echocardiography was performed on 80 healthy subjects at rest and during exercise. The analysis consisted of standard and 2D-STE assessment of RV global and segmental strain tracing only RVFW and also tracing all six RV segments. At rest, RVLS could be assessed in 78 (feasibility 97.5%) subjects by both methods. However, during exercise, RVLS by RVFW method was feasible in 67 (83.8%) as compared to 74 (92.5%) by RV6S approach. Both at rest and during exercise, RVLS values by the two methods showed excellent correlation (r =  > 0.90). However, RVLS values assessed by RV6S were lower (absolute values) than those by RVFW approach (RV6S vs. RVFW; rest: - 27.0 ± 3.9 vs. - 9.5 ± 3.9, p < 0.001 and exercise: - 30.7 ± 5.2 vs. - 33.3 ± 5.1, p < 0.001). Furthermore, basal strain was higher and apical strain lower (absolute values) by RV6S approach. At rest, reproducibility for RVLS was excellent and similar for the two methods. However, during exercise, reproducibility for RVFW method was poorer, especially at the apex. The two currently described methods for RVLS assessment by 2D-STE demonstrated excellent agreement. However, the RV6S approach seemed to be more feasible and reproducible, particularly during exercise. Moreover, global and segmental strain values are different with both methods and should not be interchanged.

Influence of gender on right ventricle adaptation to endurance exercise: an ultrasound two-dimensional speckle-tracking stress study

BACKGROUND

Characteristic right ventricle (RV) remodelling is related to endurance exercise in male athletes (MAs), but data in female athletes (FAs) are scarce. Our aim was to evaluate sex-related influence on exercise-induced RV remodelling and on RV performance during exercise.

METHODS

Forty endurance athletes (>10 training hours/week, 50% female) and 40 age-matched controls (<3 h moderate exercise/week, 50% female) were included. Echocardiography was performed at rest and at maximum cycle-ergometer effort. Both ventricles were analysed by standard and speckle-tracking echocardiography.

RESULTS

Endurance training induced similar structural and functional cardiac remodelling in MAs and FAs, characterized by bi-ventricular dilatation [~34%, left ventricle (LV); 29%, RV] and normal bi-ventricular function. However, males had larger RV size (p < 0.01), compared to females: RV end-diastolic area (cm²/m²): 15.6 ± 2.2 vs 11.6 ± 1.7 in athletes; 12.2 ± 2.7 vs 8.6 ± 1.6 in controls, respectively, and lower bi-ventricular deformation (RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) (%): -24.0 ± 3.6 vs -29.2 ± 3.1 in athletes; -24.9 ± 2.5 vs -30.0 ± 1.9 in controls, and LVGLS: -17.5 ± 1.4 vs -21.9 ± 1.9 in athletes; -18.7 ± 1.2 vs -22.5 ± 1.5 in controls, respectively, p < 0.01). During exercise, the increase in LV function was positively correlated (p < 0.01) with increased cardiac output (∆%LV ejection fraction, r = +0.46 and ∆%LVGLS, r = +0.36). Improvement in RV performance was blunted at high workloads, especially in MAs.

CONCLUSION

Long-term endurance training induced similar bi-ventricular remodelling in MAs and FAs. Independently of training load, males had larger RV size and lower bi-ventricular deformation. Improvement in RV performance during exercise was blunted at high workloads, especially in MAs. The potential mechanisms underlying these findings warrant further investigation.

Getting results used: evidence from reproductive health programmatic research in Guatemala

This article reviews 44 operations research projects aiming to improve reproductive health services in Guatemala, conducted by the Population Council from 1988 to 2001. It documents the experience of the research programme, traces the extent to which research results are identifiable in existing programmes, and analyses factors influencing utilization. Utilization of research results occurs as a gradual process of information sharing, where researchers influence decision-makers through a continual stream of information rather than a single set of findings. Utilization depends on leadership, collaborative planning and implementation, close monitoring, and feasible research designs, among other factors. To influence policy formulation, organizations should form enduring links among institutions and develop critical research skills among personnel who collaborate with or manage service programmes. To understand how operations research affects policy and programme change, one must consider not just individual projects, but rather the synergistic impact of multiple projects on a broad range of themes over time.

Providers' compliance with the balanced counseling strategy in Guatemala

The balanced counseling strategy developed in Peru improved family planning care and clients' knowledge of their contraceptive method choice, but few providers adopted it. To expand its use, an algorithm was introduced and training, job aids, and reinforcement were supplied to Ministry of Health providers, most of whom were paraprofessionals, from two areas (40 clinics) in Guatemala. Mystery clients made pretest and post-test visits to these clinics and to providers from a nonequivalent control group (40 clinics). The results showed that the strategy was used in 85 percent of the controlled consultations at the experimental clinics. Use of the strategy improved quality of care regardless of the provider's performance at baseline and regardless of ethnic or regional differences. Counseling session length increased by nine minutes, but real-client load did not change. Guatemalan clients can be expected to benefit from the strategy. The increased session length has not yet caused problems, but it may pose policy dilemmas in the future.

Improving access to services and interactions with clients in Guatemala: the value of distance learning

OBJECTIVE

To develop and test a distance-learning programme to improve the quality and efficiency of family planning services in Guatemala.

METHODS

The setting was rural family planning services in Guatemala. The study design was quasi-experimental with one intervention and one control group and with pre- and post-intervention measures. Two staff members from each of 20 randomly selected health districts were trained as leaders of the training programme. In turn, the 40 trainers trained a total of 240 service providers, under the supervision of four health area facilitators. The results were compared with 20 randomly selected control health districts. The intervention was a distance-learning programme including 40 in-class hours followed by 120 inservice practice hours spread over a 4-month period. Distinctively, the programme used a cascade approach to training, intensive supervision, and close monitoring and evaluation. Patient flow analysis was used to determine number of contacts, waiting times, and the interaction time between service providers and clients. Consultation observations were used to assess the quality and completeness of reproductive health information and services received by clients.

RESULTS

The intervention showed a positive impact on reducing the number of contacts before the consultation and client waiting times. More complete services and better quality services were provided at intervention clinics. Some, but not all, of the study objectives were attained. The long-term impact of the intervention is as yet unknown.

CONCLUSION

Distance-learning programmes are an effective methodology for training health professionals in rural areas.

Screening family planning needs: an operations research project in Guatemala

Background

Public sector health care providers in rural Guatemala have infrequently offered family planning information and services in routine visits. This operations research project tested a strategy to modify certain practices that prevent health workers from proactively screening clients' needs and meeting them.

Methods

The research design was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest-follow-up comparison group design. Health districts, which comprise health centers and posts, were purposively assigned to intervention or comparison groups to assure comparability of the two groups. The strategy was based on a job-aid designed to guide health workers in screening clients' reproductive intentions and family planning needs, help them to offer contraceptive methods if the woman expressed interest, and facilitate the provision of the method chosen at the time of the visit. The strategy was implemented at intervention sites during a period of six months. Upon completion of post-intervention measurements, the strategy was scaled up to the comparison sites, and a follow-up assessment was conducted nine months later. Results were evaluated by conducting three rounds of exit interviews with women exposed to the risk of unwanted pregnancy.

Results

Study results showed a two to five-fold increase in providers' screening of clients' reproductive intentions. The proportion of clients who received information about contraceptives increased from 8% at the baseline to 42% immediately post-intervention, and 36% at the follow-up survey. The intervention also proved successful in improving the role service providers play in offering women a chance to ask questions and assisting women in making a selection. The proportion of women who received a method, referral or appointment increased and remained high in the intervention group, although no change was seen in the comparison group after their participation in the strategy.

Conclusion

The easy-to-use job aid developed for this project proved useful for screening clients' needs and reducing providers' reluctance to discuss family planning with clients and offer contraceptive services. Such family planning screening devices can be useful in traditional settings where both providers and clients shy away from discussing family planning issues.