What influences the functional outcome of children at 6 months post-burn?

The contribution of demographic, injury, pre-morbid, and parent factors to a child's functional outcome at 6 months post-burn injury was examined. Sixty-eight children, aged 5-14 years with percent total body surface area (%TBSA) burns ranging from

Critical comparison of Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) blast fragmentation models

Blast fragmentation can have a significant impact on the profitability of a mine. An optimum run of mine (ROM) size distribution is required to maximise the performance of downstream processes. If this fragmentation size distribution can be modelled and controlled, the operation will have made a significant advancement towards improving its performance. Blast fragmentation modelling is an important step in Mine to Mill™ optimisation. It allows the estimation of blast fragmentation distributions for a number of different rock mass, blast geometry, and explosive parameters. These distributions can then be modelled in downstream mining and milling processes to determine the optimum blast design. When a blast hole is detonated rock breakage occurs in two different stress regions - compressive and tensile. In the-first region, compressive stress waves form a 'crushed zone' directly adjacent to the blast hole. The second region, termed the 'cracked zone', occurs outside the crush one. The widely used Kuz-Ram model does not recognise these two blast regions. In the Kuz-Ram model the mean fragment size from the blast is approximated and is then used to estimate the remaining size distribution. Experience has shown that this model predicts the coarse end reasonably accurately, but it can significantly underestimate the amount of fines generated. As part of the Australian Mineral Industries Research Association (AMIRA) P483A Mine to Mill™ project, the Two-Component Model (TCM) and Crush Zone Model (CZM), developed by the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC), were compared and evaluated to measured ROM fragmentation distributions. An important criteria for this comparison was the variation of model results from measured ROM in the-fine to intermediate section (1-100 mm) of the fragmentation curve. This region of the distribution is important for Mine to Mill™ optimisation. The comparison of modelled and Split ROM fragmentation distributions has been conducted in harder ores (UCS greater than 80 MPa). Further work involves modelling softer ores. The comparisons will be continued with future site surveys to increase confidence in the comparison of the CZM and TCM to Split results. Stochastic fragmentation modelling will then be conducted to take into account variation of input parameters. A window of possible fragmentation distributions can be compared to those obtained by Split . Following this work, an improved fragmentation model will be developed in response to these findings.

Immunogenicity of recombinant HBsAg/HCV particles in mice pre-immunised with hepatitis B virus-specific vaccine

Due to their spatial structure virus-like particles (VLPs) generally induce effective immune responses. VLPs derived from the small envelope protein (HBsAg-S) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) comprise the HBV vaccine. Modified HBsAs-S VLPs, carrying the immunodominant hypervariable region (HVR1) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope protein E2 within the exposed 'a'-determinant region (HBsAg/HVR1-VLPs), elicited HVR1-specific antibodies in mice. A high percentage of the human population is positive for anti-HBsAg antibodies (anti-HBs), either through vaccination or natural infection. We, therefore, determined if pre-existing anti-HBs could influence immunisation with modified VLPs. Mice were immunised with a commercial HBV vaccine, monitored to ensure an anti-HBs response, then immunised with HBsAg/HVR1-VLPs. The resulting anti-HVR1 antibody titre was similar in mice with or without pre-existing anti-HBs. This suggests that HBsAg/HVR1-VLPs induce a primary immune response to HVR1 in anti-HBs positive mice and, hence, they may be used successfully in individuals already immunised with the HBV vaccine. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimising high-intensity treadmill training using the running speed at maximal O-2 uptake and the time for which this can be maintained

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two high-intensity, treadmill interval-training programs on 3000-m and 5000-m running performance. Maximal oxygen uptake ((V) over dot O-2max), the running speed associated with (V) over dot O-2max (nu (V) over dot O-2max), the time for which nu (V) over dot O-2max can be maintained (T-max), running economy (RE), ventilatory threshold (VT) and 3000-m and 5000-m running times were determined in 27 well-trained runners. Subjects were then randomly assigned to three groups; (1) 60% T-max (2) 70% T-max and (3) control. Subjects in the control group continued their normal training and subjects in the two T-max groups undertook a 4-week treadmill interval-training program with the intensity set at nu (V) over dot O-2max and the interval duration at the assigned T-max. These subjects completed two interval-training sessions per week (60% T-max = six intervals/session, 70% T-max group = five intervals/session). Subjects were re-tested on all parameters at the completion of the training program. There was a significant improvement between pre- and post-training values in 3000-m time trial (TT) performance in the 60% T-max group compared to the 70% T,,a, and control groups [mean (SE); 60% T-max = 17.6 (3.5) s, 70% T-max = 6.3 (4.2) s, control = 0.5 (7.7) s]. There was no significant effect of the training program on 5000-m TT performance [60% T-max = 25.8 (13.8) s, 70% T-max = 3.7 (11.6) s, control = 9.9 (13.1) s]. Although there were no significant improvements in (V) over dot O-2max, nu (V) over dot (2max) and RE between groups, changes in (V) over dot O-2max and RE were significantly correlated with the improvement in the 3000-m TT. Furthermore, VT and T-max were significantly higher in the 60% Tmax group post-compared to pre-training. In conclusion, 3000-m running performance can be significantly improved in a group of well-trained runners, using a 4-week treadmill interval training program at nu (V) over dot O-2max with interval durations of 60% T-max.

Systematic review of the role of pre-oxygenation for tracheal suctioning in ventilated newborn infants

Pre-oxygenation for endotracheal suctioning for mechanically ventilated infants is routine practice in many neonatal intensive care units. In the present systematic review the evidence to support its use is discussed and the authors conclude that no confident recommendations can be made from the results of this review.

Registro de pre??os nacional

Implementa????o de modelo gerencial de compras governamentais por meio do Sistema de Registro de Pre??os (SRP), chamado Registro de Pre??os Nacional (RPN), no qual s??o elaboradas especifica????es de materiais, em atendimento ??s demandas dos alunos do sistema de educa????o b??sica brasileiro (estados e munic??pios), proporcionando adequa????o ??s reais necessidades de seus usu??rios e maior qualidade. A ferramenta ?? baseada em arranjo institucional entre entes p??blicos e privados, visando a padroniza????o, adequa????o e qualidade dos produtos adquiridos. Dessa forma, o governo federal vale-se do conhecimento dos seus diversos ??rg??os e t??cnicos para realizar um ??nico processo de compra para todo o pa??s sem, necessariamente, precisar efetivar qualquer contrato, disponibilizando apenas o registro de pre??os, obtido por meio de preg??o eletr??nico. Assim, o processo de aquisi????o se torna menos burocr??tico e oneroso, primando pelos princ??pios da legalidade, efici??ncia e economicidade

Revis??o de pre??os por meio de indicadores de mercado e par??metros da licita????o

A metodologia de revis??o de pre??os dos contratos de fornecedores, com base em indicadores de mercado e em suporte informatizado, foi desenvolvida e est?? sendo aperfei??oada, de forma a garantir a manuten????o do equil??brio econ??mico-financeiro dos 330 contratos de servi??os de transporte de terceiros. Dessa forma, buscam-se maior agilidade nos processos e informa????es confi??veis, de forma a assegurar justa remunera????o para a execu????o dos servi??os com a qualidade necess??ria e a um menor custo

BPPH: banco de pre??os praticados na ??rea hospitalar

O BPPH foi idealizado pelo Ministro Jos?? Serra no in??cio de sua gest??o em Abril de 1998, visando uma pol??tica de transpar??ncia na utiliza????o dos recursos p??blicos e, tamb??m a busca da disponibilidade de mais um instrumento regulador de mercado. A implanta????o do sistema, abrange atualmente 32 hospitais federais, estaduais, municipais e 5 secretarias estaduais de sa??de que alimentam o BPPH via INTERNET, permitindo contabilizar um benef??cio de R$ 1.373.687,00 (redu????o do custo entre 2 compras consecutivas) somente nos 5 hospitais fundadores do sistema, sendo que 50% desse valor pode-se atribuir ao uso do Banco de Pre??os. Este trabalho foi apresentado no CONIP99 - Congresso de Inform??tica P??blica 1999 - em nome do Minist??rio da Sa??de, com a autoriza????o emitida pelo Senhor Chefe de Gabinete do Ministro, Dr. Ot??vio Azevedo Mercadante. O BPPH foi desenvolvido e implantado no per??odo de Maio de 1998 a Abril de 1999 como um projeto do Grupo Executivo de A????o Estrat??gica na ??rea Hospitalar, grupo este coordenado pelo Dr. Benedito Nicotero Filho, Assessor Especial do Ministro da Sa??de. O BPPH no seu processo de institucionaliza????o foi transferido do Gabinete do Ministro para a Secretaria de Gest??o de Investimentos em Sa??de. As Portarias do Ministro da Sa??de que regulamentam o sistema s??o: Portaria 3.505 publicada em 28 de Agosto de 1998 cria a C??mara T??cnica Consultiva do BPPH; Portaria 74 publicada em 02 de Fevereiro de 1999 institui a obrigatoriedade para hospitais p??blicos de mais de 320 leitos e a Portaria 481 publicada em 19 de Abril de 1999 transfere a subordina????o da C??mara T??cnica e do Sistema para a Secretaria de Gest??o de Investimentos em Sa??de. Este trabalho foi o ganhador do Pr??mio CONIP99 de Excel??ncia em Inform??tica P??blica

M??dulo 1 - a import??ncia e a necessidade da lei de licita????es: curso legisla????o aplicada ?? log??stica de suprimentos lei 8.666/93, preg??o e registro de pre??os

Este documento trata de: aspectos conceituais da lei: finalidade, import??ncia e hierarquia da lei.; no????es gerais da lei de licita????es - Lei n?? 8.666/93; tipos de licita????o:menor pre??o, melhor t??cnica, t??cnica e pre??o e maior lance ou oferta; modalidades de licita????o: concorr??ncia, tomada de pre??os, convite, concurso e leil??o; exce????es ?? obrigatoriedade de licita????o: dispensa e inexigibilidade; regime de execu????o indireta; comiss??o de licita????o; etapas do processo licitat??rio: edital, procedimentos/documentos do certame, registro cadastral, habilita????o dos interessados, julgamento e encerramento; preg??o; registro de pre??os