An Educational international partnership responding to local needs: Process evaluation of the Brazil FAIMER Regional Institute

The Brazilian public health system requires competent professionals sensitive to the needs of the population. The Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) provides a two-year faculty development programme for health professions educators, aiming to build leadership in education to improve health. A partnership with governmental initiatives and FAIMER was established for meeting these needs. This paper describes the initial process evaluation results of the Brazilian FAIMER Institute Fellowship (FAIMER BR). Methods: Data were analysed for the classes 2007-2010 regarding: application processes; innovation project themes; retrospective post-pre self-ratings of knowledge acquisition; and professional development portfolios. Results: Seventeen of 26 Brazilian states were represented among 98 Fellows, predominantly from public medical schools (75.5%) and schools awarded Ministry of Health grants to align education with public health services (89.8%). One-third (n = 32) of Fellows' innovation projects were related to these grants. Significant increases occurred in all topic subscales on self-report of knowledge acquisition (eff ect sizes, 1.21-2.77). In the follow up questionnaire, 63% of Fellows reported that their projects were incorporated into the curriculum or institutional policies. The majority reported that the programme deepened their knowledge (98%), provided new ideas about medical education (90%) and provided skills for conflict management (63%). One-half of the Fellows reported sustained benefits from the programme listserv and other communications, including breadth of expertise, establishment of research collaboration and receiving emotional support. Conclusion: Contributors to initial programme success included alignment of curriculum with governmental initiatives, curriculum design merging educational technology, leadership and management skills and central role of an innovation educational project responding to local needs.

Evaluation of the bone healing process utilizing platelet-rich plasma activated by thrombin and calcium chloride: A histologic study in rabbit calvaria

To evaluate the bone healing of defects filled with particulate bone graft in combination with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), added with a mixture of calcium chloride and thrombin or just calcium chloride. Two 5-mm bone defects were created in the calvaria of 24 rabbits. Each defect was filled with particulate bone graft and PRP. In one defect the PRP was activated by a mixture of calcium chloride and thrombin; in the other, PRP was activated by calcium chloride only. The animals were euthanized 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the surgeries, and the calvaria was submitted to histologic processing for histomorphometric analysis. The qualitative analysis has shown that both defects presented the same histologic characteristics so that a better organized, more mature, and well-vascularized bone tissue was noticed in the eighth week. A good bone repair was achieved using either the mixture of calcium chloride and thrombin or the calcium chloride alone as a restarting agent of the coagulation process.

Response surface methodology applied to the evaluation of the SO 2 sorption process in two Brazilian limestones

This paper proposes a response surface methodology to evaluate the influence of the particle size and temperature as variables and their interaction on the sulfation process using two Brazilian limestones, a calcite (ICB) and a dolomite (DP). Experiments were performed according to an experimental design [central composite rotatable design (CCRD)] carried out on a thermogravimetric balance and a nitrogen adsorption porosimeter. In the SO 2 sorption process, DP was shown to be more efficient than ICB. The best results for both limestones in relation to conversion and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area were obtained under central point conditions (545 μm and 850 C for DP and 274 μm and 815 C for ICB). The optimal values for conversion were 52% for DP and 37% for ICB. For BET surface area, the optimal values were 35 m2 g-1 for DP and 45 m2 g-1 for ICB. A relationship between conversion and pore size distribution has been established. The experiments that showed higher conversions also exhibited more pores in the region between 20 and 150 Å and larger BET surface area, indicating that the amount of smaller pores may be an important factor in the reactivity of limestones. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

PLA and Organoclays Nanocomposites: Degradation Process and Evaluation of ecotoxicity Using Allium cepa as Test Organism

In this study, nanocomposites of PLA and organoclays Cloisite 20A and Cloisite 30B were prepared by the melt intercalation method and the obtained samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Since composting is an important proposal to the final disposal of biopolymers, the influence of clays on the hydrolytic degradation process of PLA was evaluated by visual analysis and monitoring of molecular weight after periods of 15 and 30 days of degradation in compost. After degradation of the materials in composting environment, the evaluation of cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of compost aqueous extract was carried out using a bioassay with Allium cepa as test organism. The TEM micrographs permitted the observation of different levels of dispersion, including exfoliated regions. In the evaluation of hydrolytic degradation it was noted that the presence of organoclays can decrease the rate of degradation possibly due to the barrier effect of clay layers and/or the higher degree of crystallinity in the nanocomposite samples. Nevertheless, even in the case of nanocomposites, the molecular weight reduction was significant, indicating that the composting process is favorable to the chain scission of PLA in studied materials. In the analysis performed by the bioassay using A. cepa as test organism, it was found that after degradation of the PLA and its nanocomposites the aqueous extract of compost samples induced a decreasing in the mitotic index and an increasing in the induction of chromosomal abnormalities. These results were statistically significant in relation to the negative control (distilled water). By comparing the results obtained for the nanocomposites in relative to pure polymer, there were no statistically significant differences. The types of the observed chromosomal aberrations indicated a possible genotoxic effect of the materials, which may be related to an aneugenic action of PLA degradation products. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Evaluation of mango loss (Mangifera indica L.) in the retail market of Botucatu-SP

Losses in the mango commercialization process in Brazil has reduced its offer to the consumer. The present study aims at determining these losses in different purchase sites of the retail market, its causes and suggestions for reducing them. Twenty two retail points, including supermarkets, greengroceries and free fair were selected in Botucatu, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The total amount commercialized was 114 ton/year. The following average losses were verified for each mango variety: 'Tommy Atkins'(11, 5%), Haden (12, 4%) and 12, 7% for other varieties. The total loss in retail market reached US$ 25.231,00 corresponding to 14 tons. The average loss percentage observed is compatible with previous studies running in other cities. The results suggest the need of better management, the exposure of the fruit to the consumer, technology in the transportation of the fruits and most appropriate storage for maintaining the quality and the reduction of losses. The results show the need of higher investment in technical personnel reskilling in fruit and vegetable sector.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Canine Supraspinatus Calcifying Tendinosis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Damages of spittlebug on sugarcane quality and fermentation process

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Application of chemometric methods in the evaluation of chemical and spectroscopic data on organic matter from Oxisols in sewage sludge applications

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaluation of thermal behavior of latex membranes from genetically improved rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis)

Thermal stability, thermal decomposition process, residual mass, temperature of glass transition (T-g) and temperature dependence of storage modulus (E'), were determined for latex membranes prepared from six clones of Hevea brasiliensis: IAC 331, IAC 332, IAC 333 and IAC 334 grown at experimental plantations of Instituto Agronomico de Campinas (IAC) in Votuporanga, São Paulo State, Brazil. Latex membranes from GT1 and RRIM 600 Asian matrix clones were used as references. The thermal behavior of latex membranes from genetically improved rubber trees was characterized using thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The thermal behavior of latex from clones studied in the present work showed similar features of the clones previously reported (IAC 40, IAC 300, IAC 301, IAC 328, IAC 329 and IAC 330), with mass loss in four consecutive steps, except IAC 333, which showed an additional mass loss step. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Deposition and characterization of BiVO4 thin films and evaluation as photoanodes for methylene blue degradation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synthesis and Characterization of Ordered Intermetallic Nanostructured PtSn/C and PtSb/C and Evaluation as Electrodes for Alcohol Oxidation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of Electrical Properties of Lap Joints for BSCCO and YBCO Tapes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of WC-17Co and WC-10Co-4Cr thermal spray coatings by HVOF on the fatigue and corrosion strength of AISI 4340 steel

It is known that chromium electroplating is related to the reduction in the fatigue strength of base metal. However, chromium results in protection against wear and corrosion combined with chemical resistance and good lubricity. Environmental requirements are an important point to be considered in the search for possible alternatives to hard chrome plating. Aircraft landing gear manufactures are considering WC thermal spray coating applied by the high-velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) process an alternative candidate, which shows performance at least comparable to results, obtained for hard chrome plating. The aim of this study is to compare the influence of WC-17Co and WC-10Co-4Cr coatings applied by HVOF process and hard chromium electroplating on the fatigue strength of AISI 4340 steel, with and without shot peening. S-N curves were obtained in axial fatigue test for base material, chromium plated and tungsten carbide coated specimens. Tungsten carbide thermal spray coating results in higher fatigue strength when compared to hard chromium electroplated. Shot peening prior to thermal spraying showed to be an excellent alternative to increase fatigue strength of AISI 4340 steel. Experimental data showed higher axial fatigue and corrosion resistance in salt fog exposure for samples WC-10Co-4Cr HVOF coated when compared with WC-17Co. Fracture surface analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated the existence of a uniform coverage of nearly all substrates. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural Evaluation of Mechanically Alloyed and Heat-Treated Ti-25at-%Si Powders

This work discusses on the structural evaluation of mechanically alloyed and heat-treated Ti-25at%Si powders. The milling process was conducted in a planetary ball mill using stainless steel balls/vials, 200 rpm and ball-to-powder weight ratio of 5:1, whereas the heat treatment was conducted under Ar atmosphere at 1100 C for 4 h. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. The Si peaks disappeared after milling for 30h, indicating that the Si atoms were dissolved into the Ti lattice in order to form an extended solid solution. The Ti peaks were broadened and their intensities reduced for longer milling times whereas a halo was formed in Ti-25Si powders milled for 200h suggesting that an amorphous structure was achieved. The crystallite size was decreased with increasing milling times. A large Ti3Si amount was found in mechanically alloyed Ti-25at%Si powders after heating at 1100 degrees C for 4h.

Evaluation on fatigue strength of AISI 4340 steel aluminum coated by electroplating and IVD processes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)