Search

Bitumen plays an important role especially in the community in terms of infrastructure where its properties are utilized. It is a semi-solid hydrocarbon product which is produced by removing the lighter fractions such as liquid petroleum gas from heavy crude oil during the refinery processes of crude oil. It consists of a mixture of organic liquids and it has a black colour, high viscosity and it is a sticky material. The most common method for its manufacture is fractional distillation of atmospheric residue from vacuum distillation where waxy distillates are used. To reduce the expenses for its production from crude petroleum, used engine oil, coal tar and used tyres from automobiles can be used in their correct ratio to produce bitumen. The process involves heating and mixing using a high-speed shear mixer. The oil is a medium to heat and melt the crumb rubber so that it will begin to degrade (depolymerize). Several key tests as per ASTM standards were performed to check if the bitumen was up to standard, and these included: (i) viscosity, (ii) specific gravity, (iii) softening point, (iv) thin film test, (v) flash point and (vi) fire point. The best formulated bitumen had a ratio of 20% engine oil, 50% crumb rubber and 30% coal tar with a viscosity of 93 cP, a specific density of 1.089, a softening point temperature of 65°C, thin film oven test of 0.35% mass loss, a flash point temperature of 218°C and a fire point temperature of 223°C. This bitumen showed better resistance to permanent deformation but less resistance to fatigue cracking, was less susceptible to temperature change meaning it could withstand hot climates, had less volatiles to give off and was a lower fire hazard.

Two performance-grade asphalt binders, PG 64-10 and PG 76-10, and two modifiers, Acrylate Styrene Acrylonhrtilrei (ASA) polymer and nanomaterials of Al2O3, have been used to modify properties of asphalt mixes. The main function of this study is to characterize and assess materials of modified asphalt binder mixes by three important rheological properties, namely Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). For the same mixes of modified asphalt binders, physical properties were obtained previously, therefore, FTIR, SEM, and XRD results followed the results of physical properties. The data analysis clearly indicates that although the SEM images show uniform dispersion of the ASA and Al2O3, it has been concluded that the FTIR spectra of ASA polymer- and Al2O3-altered asphalt binders were similar notwithstanding highest points, which established that no adjustment in structure occurred in the altered binders associated with the original asphalt binder. The results of the properties of asphalt with the use of ASA polymer are more notable than those with the use of Al2O3nanomaterials.

Introducción: La vía oral es la forma de administrar medicación más cómoda, pero puede no ser segura. La disfagia es uno de los factores que dificulta la correcta alimentación y administración de la medicación. Objetivos: La mejora de la administración de la medicación oral en pacientes con disfagia, a través de la adecuación de la forma farmacéutica de los principios prescritos a las texturas toleradas. Métodos: Proyecto piloto de aplicación de un protocolo de disfagia, donde se incluyeron los pacientes ingresados en el Servicio de Medicina Interna-Los Montalvos durante 4 meses. Tras detectarse la sospecha de disfagia, se aplicaba un test de disfagia-viscosidad para conocer las texturas toleradas. Posteriormente se adecuaban las formas farmacéuticas y se indicaban las normas de manipulación de los fármacos para su correcta administración. Resultados: De los 627 pacientes ingresados se incluyeron 23 pacientes, con edad media de 85 años (σ ± 7,4). Las patologías implicadas en la disfagia fueron: demencia (65,2%); enfermedad cerebrovascular (30,4%) y enfermedad de Parkinson (4,4%). La textura óptima para la ingesta fue "pudin" en el 48,0%. Se revisaron 43 principios activos y se realizaron 134 intervenciones: En el 41% de ellas se facilitó la deglución mezclando el fármaco con los alimentos y en el 59% se utilizó la adición de agua y espesante. El 94% de las recomendaciones se consideraron adecuadas. Conclusión: La adecuación de las formas farmacéuticas al grado de disfagia repercute en la mejora de la calidad asistencial implementando la seguridad en los procesos de prescripción y administración de fármacos.Introduction: The oral route is the most convenient way of administering medication, although it may not be safe. Dysphagia is one of the factors rendering difficult a proper feeding and administration of medication. Objectives: to improve the administration of oral medication in patients with dysphagia by changing the pharmaceutical formulation of the principles prescribed to tolerable textures. Methods: Pilot project for the application of a dysphagia protocol that included the patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Unit at Los Montalvos Center for 4 months. After detecting the suspicion of dysphagia, a dysphagia-viscosity test was applied to know the tolerated textures. Then, the pharmaceutical formulations were adapted and the manipulation instructions for the drugs were indicated for their proper administration. Results: 23 out of 627 admitted patients were included, with a mean age of 85 years (σ ± 7.4). The pathologies implicated in dysphagia were: dementia (65.2%); cerebrovascular disease (30.4%), and Parkinson´s disease (4.4%). The best texture for drug intake was a "pudding" in 48.0%. 43 active ingredients were reviewed and 134 interventions were performed: in 41% of the cases, swallowing was made easier by mixing the drug with the food and in 59% water and a thickener were used. 94% of the recommendations were considered to be appropriate. Conclusion: the adaptation of the pharmaceutical formulations to the degree of dysphagia impacts on the improvement of healthcare quality by implementing safety in drug prescription and administration processes.

Introducción: La vía oral es la forma de administrar medicación más cómoda, pero puede no ser segura. La disfagia es uno de los factores que dificulta la correcta alimentación y administración de la medicación. Objetivos: La mejora de la administración de la medicación oral en pacientes con disfagia, a través de la adecuación de la forma farmacéutica de los principios prescritos a las texturas toleradas. Métodos: Proyecto piloto de aplicación de un protocolo de disfagia, donde se incluyeron los pacientes ingresados en el Servicio de Medicina Interna-Los Montalvos durante 4 meses. Tras detectarse la sospecha de disfagia, se aplicaba un test de disfagia-viscosidad para conocer las texturas toleradas. Posteriormente se adecuaban las formas farmacéuticas y se indicaban las normas de manipulación de los fármacos para su correcta administración. Resultados: De los 627 pacientes ingresados se incluyeron 23 pacientes, con edad media de 85 años (σ ± 7,4). Las patologías implicadas en la disfagia fueron: demencia (65,2%); enfermedad cerebrovascular (30,4%) y enfermedad de Parkinson (4,4%). La textura óptima para la ingesta fue "pudin" en el 48,0%. Se revisaron 43 principios activos y se realizaron 134 intervenciones: En el 41% de ellas se facilitó la deglución mezclando el fármaco con los alimentos y en el 59% se utilizó la adición de agua y espesante. El 94% de las recomendaciones se consideraron adecuadas. Conclusión: La adecuación de las formas farmacéuticas al grado de disfagia repercute en la mejora de la calidad asistencial implementando la seguridad en los procesos de prescripción y administración de fármacos. Introduction: The oral route is the most convenient way of administering medication, although it may not be safe. Dysphagia is one of the factors rendering difficult a proper feeding and administration of medication. Objectives: to improve the administration of oral medication in patients with dysphagia by changing the pharmaceutical formulation of the principles prescribed to tolerable textures. Methods: Pilot project for the application of a dysphagia protocol that included the patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Unit at Los Montalvos Center for 4 months. After detecting the suspicion of dysphagia, a dysphagia-viscosity test was applied to know the tolerated textures. Then, the pharmaceutical formulations were adapted and the manipulation instructions for the drugs were indicated for their proper administration. Results: 23 out of 627 admitted patients were included, with a mean age of 85 years (σ ± 7.4). The pathologies implicated in dysphagia were: dementia (65.2%); cerebrovascular disease (30.4%), and Parkinson´s disease (4.4%). The best texture for drug intake was a "pudding" in 48.0%. 43 active ingredients were reviewed and 134 interventions were performed: in 41% of the cases, swallowing was made easier by mixing the drug with the food and in 59% water and a thickener were used. 94% of the recommendations were considered to be appropriate. Conclusion: the adaptation of the pharmaceutical formulations to the degree of dysphagia impacts on the improvement of healthcare quality by implementing safety in drug prescription and administration processes.