Modeling the Influences of Electrostatic Discharge in Materials on a Failures of Onboard Electronic Equipment in under Microgcrogravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grichshenko, Valentina; Zhantayev, Zhumabek; Mukushev, Acemhan

2016-07-01

It is known, that during SV exploitation failures of automated systems happens as the result of complex influence of Space leading to SV's shorter life span, sometimes to their lose. All of the SV, functioning in the near-Earth Space (NES), subjected to influence of different Space factors. Causes and character of failure onboard equipment are different. Many researchers think that failures of onboard electronics connected to changing solar activity level. However, by the numerous onboard experiments established that even in the absence of solar burst in magnetostatic days there are registered failures of onboard electronics. In this paper discussed the results of modeling the impact of electrostatic discharge (ESD), occurring in the materials, on a failures of electronic onboard equipment in microgravity. The paper discusses the conditions of formation and influence of electrostatic discharge in microgravity on the elements of the onboard electronics in Space. Developed technique using circuit simulation in ISIS Proteus environment is discussed. Developed the recommendations for noise immunity of on-board equipment from ESD in Space. The results are used to predict the failure rate on-board electronics with the long term of space mission. Key words: microgravity, materials, failures, onboard electronics, Space

30 CFR 285.815 - What must I do if I have facility damage or an equipment failure?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Environmental and Safety Management, Inspections, and Facility Assessments for Activities Conducted Under SAPs..., MMS may require you to revise your SAP, COP, or GAP to describe how you will address the facility damage or failure as required by § 285.634 (COP), § 285.617 (SAP), § 285.655 (GAP). You must submit a...

Gap Junction Inhibition Prevents Drug-induced Liver Toxicity and Fulminant Hepatic Failure

PubMed Central

Patel, Suraj J; Milwid, Jack M; King, Kevin R; Bohr, Stefan; Iracheta, Arvin; Li, Matthew; Vitalo, Antonia; Parekkadan, Biju; Jindal, Rohit; Yarmush, Martin L

2013-01-01

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) limits the development and utilization of numerous therapeutic compounds, and consequently presents major challenges to the pharmaceutical industry and clinical medicine1, 2. Acetaminophen (APAP) containing compounds are among the most frequently prescribed drugs, and also the most common cause of DILI3. Here we describe a pharmacological strategy that targets gap junction communication to prevent amplification of fulminant hepatic failure and APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. We report that connexin 32 (Cx32), a key hepatic gap junction protein, is an essential mediator of DILI by showing that mice deficient in Cx32 are protected against liver damage, acute inflammation, and death. We identified a small molecule inhibitor of Cx32 as a novel hepatoprotectant that achieves the same result in wildtype mice when coadministered with known hepatotoxic drugs. These findings demonstrate that gap junction inhibition is an effective therapy for limiting DILI, and suggest a novel pharmaceutical strategy to improve drug safety. PMID:22252509

Improving online risk assessment with equipment prognostics and health monitoring

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coble, Jamie B.; Liu, Xiaotong; Briere, Chris

The current approach to evaluating the risk of nuclear power plant (NPP) operation relies on static probabilities of component failure, which are based on industry experience with the existing fleet of nominally similar light water reactors (LWRs). As the nuclear industry looks to advanced reactor designs that feature non-light water coolants (e.g., liquid metal, high temperature gas, molten salt), this operating history is not available. Many advanced reactor designs use advanced components, such as electromagnetic pumps, that have not been used in the US commercial nuclear fleet. Given the lack of rich operating experience, we cannot accurately estimate the evolvingmore » probability of failure for basic components to populate the fault trees and event trees that typically comprise probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) models. Online equipment prognostics and health management (PHM) technologies can bridge this gap to estimate the failure probabilities for components under operation. The enhanced risk monitor (ERM) incorporates equipment condition assessment into the existing PRA and risk monitor framework to provide accurate and timely estimates of operational risk.« less

Development of KSC program for investigating and generating field failure rates. Reliability handbook for ground support equipment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bloomquist, C. E.; Kallmeyer, R. H.

1972-01-01

Field failure rates and confidence factors are presented for 88 identifiable components of the ground support equipment at the John F. Kennedy Space Center. For most of these, supplementary information regarding failure mode and cause is tabulated. Complete reliability assessments are included for three systems, eight subsystems, and nine generic piece-part classifications. Procedures for updating or augmenting the reliability results are also included.

The role of minimum supply and social vulnerability assessment for governing critical infrastructure failure: current gaps and future agenda

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garschagen, Matthias; Sandholz, Simone

2018-04-01

Increased attention has lately been given to the resilience of critical infrastructure in the context of natural hazards and disasters. The major focus therein is on the sensitivity of critical infrastructure technologies and their management contingencies. However, strikingly little attention has been given to assessing and mitigating social vulnerabilities towards the failure of critical infrastructure and to the development, design and implementation of minimum supply standards in situations of major infrastructure failure. Addressing this gap and contributing to a more integrative perspective on critical infrastructure resilience is the objective of this paper. It asks which role social vulnerability assessments and minimum supply considerations can, should and do - or do not - play for the management and governance of critical infrastructure failure. In its first part, the paper provides a structured review on achievements and remaining gaps in the management of critical infrastructure and the understanding of social vulnerabilities towards disaster-related infrastructure failures. Special attention is given to the current state of minimum supply concepts with a regional focus on policies in Germany and the EU. In its second part, the paper then responds to the identified gaps by developing a heuristic model on the linkages of critical infrastructure management, social vulnerability and minimum supply. This framework helps to inform a vision of a future research agenda, which is presented in the paper's third part. Overall, the analysis suggests that the assessment of socially differentiated vulnerabilities towards critical infrastructure failure needs to be undertaken more stringently to inform the scientifically and politically difficult debate about minimum supply standards and the shared responsibilities for securing them.

75 FR 49870 - Effects on Broadband Communications Networks of Damage to or Failure of Network Equipment or...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-16

... FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Chapter I [PS Docket No. 10-92; DA 10-1357] Effects on Broadband Communications Networks of Damage to or Failure of Network Equipment or Severe Overload AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of reply comment date. SUMMARY: This...

Multi-detector thoracic CT findings in cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome: rib gaps and failure of costo-vertebral separation.

PubMed

Watson, Tom Anthony; Arthurs, Owen John; Muthialu, Nagarajan; Calder, Alistair Duncan

2014-02-01

Cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome (CCMS) describes a triad of mandibular hypoplasia, brain dysfunction and posterior rib defects ("rib gaps"). We present the CT imaging for a 2-year-old girl with CCMS that highlights the rib gap defects and shows absent transverse processes with abnormal fusion of the ribs directly to the vertebral bodies. We argue that this is likely to relate to abnormal lateral sclerotome development in embryology, with the failure of normal costo-vertebral junctions compounding impaired thoracic function. The case also highlights the use of CT for specific indications in skeletal dysplasia.

Nonoperating Failure Rates for Avionics Study.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-04-01

Missile, 1 August 1973. Temperature Readings at Three Indicated Locations ............................ 3-10 3-7 Operating vs . Nonoperating Failure...Failures vs . Mission Duration for Jet Aircraft Equipment ... ...................... ... 4-39 4-17 Cumulative Total Failures vs . Mission Duration for Jet...AVIONIC EQUIPMENT FIELD CHARACTERISTICS To better understand the type of service exposure avionic equipment must withstand , several aspects of the

40 CFR 63.140 - Process wastewater provisions-delay of repair.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... or a gap, crack, tear, or hole has been identified, is allowed if the repair is technically.... (b) Delay of repair of equipment for which a control equipment failure or a gap, crack, tear, or hole... equipment for which a control equipment failure or a gap, crack, tear, or hole has been identified is also...

Medical equipment management strategies.

PubMed

Wang, Binseng; Furst, Emanuel; Cohen, Ted; Keil, Ode R; Ridgway, Malcolm; Stiefel, Robert

2006-01-01

Clinical engineering professionals need to continually review and improve their management strategies in order to keep up with improvements in equipment technology, as well as with increasing expectations of health care organizations. In the last 20 years, management strategies have evolved from the initial obsession with electrical safety to flexible criteria that fit the individual institution's needs. Few hospitals, however, are taking full advantage of the paradigm shift offered by the evolution of joint Commission standards. The focus should be on risks caused by equipment failure, rather than on equipment with highest maintenance demands. Furthermore, it is not enough to consider risks posed by individual pieces of equipment to individual patients. It is critical to anticipate the impact of an equipment failure on larger groups of patients, especially when dealing with one of a kind, sophisticated pieces of equipment that are required to provide timely and accurate diagnoses for immediate therapeutic decisions or surgical interventions. A strategy for incorporating multiple criteria to formulate appropriate management strategies is provided in this article.

Development of KSC program for investigating and generating field failure rates. Volume 2: Recommended format for reliability handbook for ground support equipment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bloomquist, C. E.; Kallmeyer, R. H.

1972-01-01

Field failure rates and confidence factors are presented for 88 identifiable components of the ground support equipment at the John F. Kennedy Space Center. For most of these, supplementary information regarding failure mode and cause is tabulated. Complete reliability assessments are included for three systems, eight subsystems, and nine generic piece-part classifications. Procedures for updating or augmenting the reliability results presented in this handbook are also included.

Case Study of the Failure of two 13.8kV Control & Metering Transformers that caused significant Equipment Damage

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dreifuerst, G R; Chew, D B; Mangonon, H L

The degradation and failure of cast-coil epoxy windings within 13.8kV control power transformers and metering potential transformers has been shown to be dangerous to both equipment and personnel, even though best industrial design practices were followed. Accident scenes will be examined for two events at a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory. Failure modes will be explained and current design practices discussed with changes suggested to prevent a recurrence and to minimize future risk. New maintenance philosophies utilizing partial discharge testing of the transformers as a prediction of end-of-life will be examined.

Research on Application of FMECA in Missile Equipment Maintenance Decision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kun, Wang

2018-03-01

Fault mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) is a method widely used in engineering. Studying the application of FMEA technology in military equipment maintenance decision-making, can help us build a better equipment maintenance support system, and increase the using efficiency of weapons and equipment. Through Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) of equipment, known and potential failure modes and their causes are found out, and the influence on the equipment performance, operation success, personnel security are determined. Furthermore, according to the synthetical effects of the severity of effects and the failure probability, possible measures for prevention and correction are put forward. Through replacing or adjusting the corresponding parts, corresponding maintenance strategy is decided for preventive maintenance of equipment, which helps improve the equipment reliability.

Packaging-induced failure of semiconductor lasers and optical telecommunications components

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sharps, J.A.

1996-12-31

Telecommunications equipment for field deployment generally have specified lifetimes of > 100,000 hr. To achieve this high reliability, it is common practice to package sensitive components in hermetic, inert gas environments. The intent is to protect components from particulate and organic contamination, oxidation, and moisture. However, for high power density 980 nm diode lasers used in optical amplifiers, the authors found that hermetic, inert gas packaging induced a failure mode not observed in similar, unpackaged lasers. They refer to this failure mode as packaging-induced failure, or PIF. PIF is caused by nanomole amounts of organic contamination which interact with highmore » intensity 980 nm light to form solid deposits over the emitting regions of the lasers. These deposits absorb 980 nm light, causing heating of the laser, narrowing of the band gap, and eventual thermal runaway. The authors have found PIF is averted by packaging with free O{sub 2} and/or a getter material that sequesters organics.« less

Ontology-Based Gap Analysis for Technology Selection: A Knowledge Management Framework for the Support of Equipment Purchasing Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macris, Aristomenis M.; Georgakellos, Dimitrios A.

Technology selection decisions such as equipment purchasing and supplier selection are decisions of strategic importance to companies. The nature of these decisions usually is complex, unstructured and thus, difficult to be captured in a way that will be efficiently reusable. Knowledge reusability is of paramount importance since it enables users participate actively in process design/redesign activities stimulated by the changing technology selection environment. This paper addresses the technology selection problem through an ontology-based approach that captures and makes reusable the equipment purchasing process and assists in identifying (a) the specifications requested by the users' organization, (b) those offered by various candidate vendors' organizations and (c) in performing specifications gap analysis as a prerequisite for effective and efficient technology selection. This approach has practical appeal, operational simplicity, and the potential for both immediate and long-term strategic impact. An example from the iron and steel industry is also presented to illustrate the approach.

PBX 9502 air-gap tests

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dickson, Peter; Novak, Alan M.; Foley, Timothy J.

A small number of simple air-gap tests were performed on 1-inch diameter PBX 9502 cylinders to determine an approximate threshold for detonation failure. The primary diagnostics were streak imaging and dent measurements in a steel witness plate. Relight was found to occur, with negligible excess transit time, for air gaps up to 1 mm. Relight did not occur with a 3-mm air gap.

Renewal of radiological equipment.

PubMed

2014-10-01

In this century, medical imaging is at the heart of medical practice. Besides providing fast and accurate diagnosis, advances in radiology equipment offer new and previously non-existing options for treatment guidance with quite low morbidity, resulting in the improvement of health outcomes and quality of life for the patients. Although rapid technological development created new medical imaging modalities and methods, the same progress speed resulted in accelerated technical and functional obsolescence of the same medical imaging equipment, consequently creating a need for renewal. Older equipment has a high risk of failures and breakdowns, which might cause delays in diagnosis and treatment of the patient, and safety problems both for the patient and the medical staff. The European Society of Radiology is promoting the use of up-to-date equipment, especially in the context of the EuroSafe Imaging Campaign, as the use of up-to-date equipment will improve quality and safety in medical imaging. Every healthcare institution or authority should have a plan for medical imaging equipment upgrade or renewal. This plan should look forward a minimum of 5 years, with annual updates. Teaching points • Radiological equipment has a definite life cycle span, resulting in unavoidable breakdown and decrease or loss of image quality which renders equipment useless after a certain time period.• Equipment older than 10 years is no longer state-of-the art equipment and replacement is essential. Operating costs of older equipment will be high when compared with new equipment, and sometimes maintenance will be impossible if no spare parts are available.• Older equipment has a high risk of failure and breakdown, causing delays in diagnosis and treatment of the patient and safety problems both for the patient and the medical staff.• Every healthcare institution or authority should have a plan for medical imaging equipment upgrade or replacement. This plan should look forward a

Mind the Gap: Mismatches Between Clinicians and Patients in Heart Failure Medication Management.

PubMed

Chin, Ken Lee; Skiba, Marina; Reid, Christopher M; Tonkin, Andrew; Hopper, Ingrid; Mariani, Justin A; Liew, Danny

2018-02-01

Previous studies on the 'treatment gap' in patients with heart failure (HF) have focused either on prescribing or patients' adherence to prescribed treatment. This study sought to determine whether or not recent initiatives to close the gap have also minimised any mismatches between physicians' expectation of their patients' medications, medications in the patients' possession and their actual medication use. A cross-sectional observational survey was conducted from December 2015 to June 2016 in The Alfred Hospital HF clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Patients were invited to participate if they had chronic HF (NYHA class II to IV), were aged ≥ 60 years, had no history of HF related hospitalisation within the past 6 months and were prescribed at least two HF medications. Of 123 eligible patients, 102 were recruited into the study. Beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, loop diuretics and statins were associated with the highest rates of mismatches of drugs and doses, ranging from 10 to 17%. Discrepancy of total daily doses was the most common type of mismatch. Overall, only 23.5% of the patients were taking the right drugs at the right doses as expected by their cardiologists/HF specialists. Despite improved prescribers' adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy, there remain considerable mismatches between prescribers' expectation of patients' HF medications, medications in patients' possession and their actual medication use. Initiatives to improve this situation are urgently needed.

Closing the gap between research and management

Treesearch

Deborah M. Finch; Marcia Patton-Mallory

1993-01-01

In this paper, we evaluate the reasons for gaps in communication between researchers and natural resource managers and identify methods to close these gaps. Gaps originate from differing patterns of language use, disparities in organizational culture and values, generation of knowledge that is too narrowly-focused to solve complex problems, failure by managers to relay...

Designed for Workarounds: A Qualitative Study of the Causes of Operational Failures in Hospitals

PubMed Central

Tucker, Anita L; Heisler, W Scott; Janisse, Laura D

2014-01-01

Frontline care clinicians and staff in hospitals spend at least 10% of their time working around operational failures: situations in which information, supplies, or equipment needed for patient care are insufficient. However, little is known about underlying causes of operational failures and what hospitals can do to reduce their occurrence. To address this gap, we examined the internal supply chains at 2 hospitals with the aim of discovering organizational factors that contribute to operational failures. We conducted in-depth qualitative research, including observations and interviews of more than 80 individuals from 4 nursing units and the ancillary support departments that provide equipment and supplies needed for patient care. We found that a lack of interconnectedness among interdependent departments’ routines was a major source of operational failures. The low levels of interconnectedness occurred because of how the internal supply chains were designed and managed rather than because of employee error or a shortfall in training. Thus, we propose that the time that hospital staff members spend on workarounds can be reduced through deliberate efforts to increase interconnectedness among hospitals’ internal supply departments. Four dimensions of interconnectedness include: 1) hospital-level—rather than department-level—performance measures; 2) internal supply department routines that respond to specific patients’ needs rather than to predetermined stocking routines; 3) knowledge that is necessary for efficient handoffs of materials that is translated across departmental boundaries; and 4) cross-departmental collaboration mechanisms that enable improvement in the flow of materials across departmental boundaries. PMID:25102517

Designed for workarounds: a qualitative study of the causes of operational failures in hospitals.

PubMed

Tucker, Anita L; Heisler, W Scott; Janisse, Laura D

2014-01-01

Frontline care clinicians and staff in hospitals spend at least 10% of their time working around operational failures: situations in which information, supplies, or equipment needed for patient care are insufficient. However, little is known about underlying causes of operational failures and what hospitals can do to reduce their occurrence. To address this gap, we examined the internal supply chains at 2 hospitals with the aim of discovering organizational factors that contribute to operational failures. We conducted in-depth qualitative research, including observations and interviews of more than 80 individuals from 4 nursing units and the ancillary support departments that provide equipment and supplies needed for patient care. We found that a lack of interconnectedness among interdependent departments' routines was a major source of operational failures. The low levels of interconnectedness occurred because of how the internal supply chains were designed and managed rather than because of employee error or a shortfall in training. Thus, we propose that the time that hospital staff members spend on workarounds can be reduced through deliberate efforts to increase interconnectedness among hospitals' internal supply departments. Four dimensions of interconnectedness include: 1) hospital-level-rather than department-level-performance measures; 2) internal supply department routines that respond to specific patients' needs rather than to predetermined stocking routines; 3) knowledge that is necessary for efficient handoffs of materials that is translated across departmental boundaries; and 4) cross-departmental collaboration mechanisms that enable improvement in the flow of materials across departmental boundaries.

Experience reveals ways to minimize failures in rod-pumped wells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Patterson, J.C.; Bucaram, S.M.; Curfew, J.V.

From the experience gained over the past 25 years, ARCO Oil and Gas Co. has developed recommendations to reduce equipment failure in sucker-rod pumping installations. These recommendations include equipment selection and design, operating procedures, and chemical treatment. Equipment failure and its attendant costs are extremely important in today's petroleum industry. Because rod pumping is the predominant means of artificial lift, minimizing equipment failure in rod pumped wells can have a significant impact on profitability. This compilation of recommendations comes from field locations throughout the US and other countries. The goal is to address and solve problems on a well-by-well basis.

Effect of screw position on single cycle to failure in bending and torsion of a locking plate-rod construct in a synthetic feline femoral gap model.

PubMed

Niederhäuser, Simone K; Tepic, Slobodan; Weber, Urs T

2015-05-01

To evaluate the effect of screw position on strength and stiffness of a combination locking plate-rod construct in a synthetic feline femoral gap model. 30 synthetic long-bone models derived from beechwood and balsa wood. 3 constructs (2 locking plate-rod constructs and 1 locking plate construct; 10 specimens/construct) were tested in a diaphyseal bridge plating configuration by use of 4-point bending and torsion. Variables included screw position (near the fracture gap and far from the fracture gap) and application of an intramedullary pin. Constructs were tested to failure in each loading mode to determine strength and stiffness. Failure was defined as plastic deformation of the plate or breakage of the bone model or plate. Strength, yield angle, and stiffness were compared by use of a Wilcoxon test. Placement of screws near the fracture gap did not increase bending or torsional stiffness in the locking plate-rod constructs, assuming the plate was placed on the tension side of the bone. Addition of an intramedullary pin resulted in a significant increase in bending strength of the construct. Screw positioning did not have a significant effect on any torsion variables. Results of this study suggested that, in the investigated plate-rod construct, screw insertion adjacent to the fracture lacked mechanical advantages over screw insertion at the plate ends. For surgeons attempting to minimize soft tissue dissection, the decision to make additional incisions for screw placement should be considered with even more caution.

Health information systems: failure, success and improvisation.

PubMed

Heeks, Richard

2006-02-01

The generalised assumption of health information systems (HIS) success is questioned by a few commentators in the medical informatics field. They point to widespread HIS failure. The purpose of this paper was therefore to develop a better conceptual foundation for, and practical guidance on, health information systems failure (and success). Literature and case analysis plus pilot testing of developed model. Defining HIS failure and success is complex, and the current evidence base on HIS success and failure rates was found to be weak. Nonetheless, the best current estimate is that HIS failure is an important problem. The paper therefore derives and explains the "design-reality gap" conceptual model. This is shown to be robust in explaining multiple cases of HIS success and failure, yet provides a contingency that encompasses the differences which exist in different HIS contexts. The design-reality gap model is piloted to demonstrate its value as a tool for risk assessment and mitigation on HIS projects. It also throws into question traditional, structured development methodologies, highlighting the importance of emergent change and improvisation in HIS. The design-reality gap model can be used to address the problem of HIS failure, both as a post hoc evaluative tool and as a pre hoc risk assessment and mitigation tool. It also validates a set of methods, techniques, roles and competencies needed to support the dynamic improvisations that are found to underpin cases of HIS success.

High anion gap metabolic acidosis induced by cumulation of ketones, L- and D-lactate, 5-oxoproline and acute renal failure.

PubMed

Heireman, Laura; Mahieu, Boris; Helbert, Mark; Uyttenbroeck, Wim; Stroobants, Jan; Piqueur, Marian

2017-07-27

Frequent causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA) are lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis and impaired renal function. In this case report, a HAGMA caused by ketones, L- and D-lactate, acute renal failure as well as 5-oxoproline is discussed. A 69-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with lowered consciousness, hyperventilation, diarrhoea and vomiting. The patient had suffered uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus, underwent gastric bypass surgery in the past and was chronically treated with high doses of paracetamol and fosfomycin. Urosepsis was diagnosed, whilst laboratory analysis of serum bicarbonate concentration and calculation of the anion gap indicated a  HAGMA. L-lactate, D-lactate, β-hydroxybutyric acid, acetone and 5-oxoproline serum levels were markedly elevated and renal function was impaired. We concluded that this case of HAGMA was induced by a variety of underlying conditions: sepsis, hyperglycaemia, prior gastric bypass surgery, decreased renal perfusion and paracetamol intake. Risk factors for 5-oxoproline intoxication present in this case are female gender, sepsis, impaired renal function and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, chronic antibiotic treatment with fosfomycin might have played a role in the increased production of 5-oxoproline. Paracetamol-induced 5-oxoproline intoxication should be considered as a cause of HAGMA in patients with female gender, sepsis, impaired renal function or uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus, even when other more obvious causes of HAGMA such as lactate, ketones or renal failure can be identified.

Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA): Analysis of the crew equipment subsystem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sinclair, Susan; Graham, L.; Richard, Bill; Saxon, H.

1987-01-01

The results of the Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA) of the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Critical Items List (CIL) are presented. The IOA approach features a top-down analysis of the hardware to determine failure modes, criticality, and potential critical (PCIs) items. To preserve independence, this analysis was accomplished without reliance upon the results contained within the NASA FMEA/CIL documentation. The independent analysis results coresponding to the Orbiter crew equipment hardware are documented. The IOA analysis process utilized available crew equipment hardware drawings and schematics for defining hardware assemblies, components, and hardware items. Each level of hardware was evaluated and analyzed for possible failure modes and effects. Criticality was assigned based upon the severity of the effect for each failure mode. Of the 352 failure modes analyzed, 78 were determined to be PCIs.

Heart Failure Virtual Consultation: bridging the gap of heart failure care in the community - A mixed-methods evaluation.

PubMed

Gallagher, Joseph; James, Stephanie; Keane, Ciara; Fitzgerald, Annie; Travers, Bronagh; Quigley, Etain; Hecht, Christina; Zhou, Shuaiwei; Watson, Chris; Ledwidge, Mark; McDonald, Kenneth

2017-08-01

We undertook a mixed-methods evaluation of a Web-based conferencing service (virtual consult) between general practitioners (GPs) and cardiologists in managing patients with heart failure in the community to determine its effect on use of specialist heart failure services and acceptability to GPs. All cases from June 2015 to October 2016 were recorded using a standardized recording template, which recorded patient demographics, medical history, medications, and outcome of the virtual consult for each case. Quantitative surveys and qualitative interviewing of 17 participating GPs were also undertaken. During this time, 142 cases were discussed-68 relating to a new diagnosis of heart failure, 53 relating to emerging deterioration in a known heart failure patient, and 21 relating to therapeutic issues. Only 17% required review in outpatient department following the virtual consultation. GPs reported increased confidence in heart failure management, a broadening of their knowledge base, and a perception of overall better patient outcomes. These data from an initial experience with Heart Failure Virtual Consultation present a very positive impact of this strategy on the provision of heart failure care in the community and acceptability to users. Further research on the implementation and expansion of this strategy is warranted. © 2017 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.

Failure prediction using machine learning and time series in optical network.

PubMed

Wang, Zhilong; Zhang, Min; Wang, Danshi; Song, Chuang; Liu, Min; Li, Jin; Lou, Liqi; Liu, Zhuo

2017-08-07

In this paper, we propose a performance monitoring and failure prediction method in optical networks based on machine learning. The primary algorithms of this method are the support vector machine (SVM) and double exponential smoothing (DES). With a focus on risk-aware models in optical networks, the proposed protection plan primarily investigates how to predict the risk of an equipment failure. To the best of our knowledge, this important problem has not yet been fully considered. Experimental results showed that the average prediction accuracy of our method was 95% when predicting the optical equipment failure state. This finding means that our method can forecast an equipment failure risk with high accuracy. Therefore, our proposed DES-SVM method can effectively improve traditional risk-aware models to protect services from possible failures and enhance the optical network stability.

Minding the Cyber-Physical Gap: Model-Based Analysis and Mitigation of Systemic Perception-Induced Failure.

PubMed

Mordecai, Yaniv; Dori, Dov

2017-07-17

The cyber-physical gap (CPG) is the difference between the 'real' state of the world and the way the system perceives it. This discrepancy often stems from the limitations of sensing and data collection technologies and capabilities, and is inevitable at some degree in any cyber-physical system (CPS). Ignoring or misrepresenting such limitations during system modeling, specification, design, and analysis can potentially result in systemic misconceptions, disrupted functionality and performance, system failure, severe damage, and potential detrimental impacts on the system and its environment. We propose CPG-Aware Modeling & Engineering (CPGAME), a conceptual model-based approach to capturing, explaining, and mitigating the CPG. CPGAME enhances the systems engineer's ability to cope with CPGs, mitigate them by design, and prevent erroneous decisions and actions. We demonstrate CPGAME by applying it for modeling and analysis of the 1979 Three Miles Island 2 nuclear accident, and show how its meltdown could be mitigated. We use ISO-19450:2015-Object Process Methodology as our conceptual modeling framework.

Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA): Assessment of the crew equipment subsystem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saxon, H.; Richard, Bill; Sinclair, S. K.

1988-01-01

The results of the Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA) of the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Critical Items List (CIL) are presented. The IOA effort first completed an analysis of the Crew Equipment hardware, generating draft failure modes and potential critical items. To preserve independence, this analysis was accomplished without reliance upon the results contained within the NASA FMEA/CIL documentation. The IOA results were then compared to the NASA FMEA/CIL baseline with proposed Post 51-L updates included. A resolution of each discrepancy from the comparison is provided through additional analysis as required. This report documents the results of that comparison for the Orbiter Crew Equipment hardware. The IOA product for the Crew Equipment analysis consisted of 352 failure mode worksheets that resulted in 78 potential critical items being identified. Comparison was made to the NASA baseline which consisted of 351 FMEAs and 82 CIL items.

Tin Whiskers: A History of Documented Electrical System Failures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leidecker, Henning; Brusse, Jay

2006-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the history of tin and other metal whiskers, and the damage they have caused equipment. There are pictures of whiskers on various pieces of electronic equipment, and microscopic views of whiskers. There is also a chart with information on the documented failures associated with metal whiskers. There are also examples of on-orbit failures believed to be caused by whiskers.

Simulations of the modified gap experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sutherland, Gerrit T.; Benjamin, Richard; Kooker, Douglas

2017-01-01

Modified gap experiment (test) hydrocode simulations predict the trends seen in experimental excess free surface velocity versus input pressure curves for explosives with both large and modest failure diameters. Simulations were conducted for explosive "A", an explosive with a large failure diameter, and for cast TNT, which has a modest failure diameter. Using the best available reactive rate models, the simulations predicted sustained ignition thresholds similar to experiment. This is a threshold where detonation is likely given a long enough run distance. For input pressures greater than the sustained ignition threshold pressure, the simulations predicted too little velocity for explosive "A" and too much velocity for TNT. It was found that a better comparison of experiment and simulation requires additional experimental data for both explosives. It was observed that the choice of reactive rate model for cast TNT can lead to large differences in the predicted modified gap experiment result. The cause of the difference is that the same data was not used to parameterize both models; one set of data was more shock reactive than the other.

On-Board Failure-Protection Requirements for Railroad-Vehicle Equipment

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1979-03-01

An analysis of the 1975 railroad-equipment-caused accidents was made. Data reported to the FRA were the primary source of derailment information; however, data from other sources were also used. Individual cause codes were consolidated into groups wh...

LDRD report: Smoke effects on electrical equipment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

TANAKA,TINA J.; BAYNES JR.,EDWARD E.; NOWLEN,STEVEN P.

2000-03-01

Smoke is known to cause electrical equipment failure, but the likelihood of immediate failure during a fire is unknown. Traditional failure assessment techniques measure the density of ionic contaminants deposited on surfaces to determine the need for cleaning or replacement of electronic equipment exposed to smoke. Such techniques focus on long-term effects, such as corrosion, but do not address the immediate effects of the fire. This document reports the results of tests on the immediate effects of smoke on electronic equipment. Various circuits and components were exposed to smoke from different fields in a static smoke exposure chamber and weremore » monitored throughout the exposure. Electrically, the loss of insulation resistance was the most important change caused by smoke. For direct current circuits, soot collected on high-voltage surfaces sometimes formed semi-conductive soot bridges that shorted the circuit. For high voltage alternating current circuits, the smoke also tended to increase the likelihood of arcing, but did not accumulate on the surfaces. Static random access memory chips failed for high levels of smoke, but hard disk drives did not. High humidity increased the conductive properties of the smoke. The conductivity does not increase linearly with smoke density as first proposed; however, it does increase with quantity. The data can be used to give a rough estimate of the amount of smoke that will cause failures in CMOS memory chips, dc and ac circuits. Comparisons of this data to other fire tests can be made through the optical and mass density measurements of the smoke.« less

[Development of Hospital Equipment Maintenance Information System].

PubMed

Zhou, Zhixin

2015-11-01

Hospital equipment maintenance information system plays an important role in improving medical treatment quality and efficiency. By requirement analysis of hospital equipment maintenance, the system function diagram is drawed. According to analysis of input and output data, tables and reports in connection with equipment maintenance process, relationships between entity and attribute is found out, and E-R diagram is drawed and relational database table is established. Software development should meet actual process requirement of maintenance and have a friendly user interface and flexible operation. The software can analyze failure cause by statistical analysis.

Failure: A Source of Progress in Maintenance and Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaïb, R.; Taleb, M.; Benidir, M.; Verzea, I.; Bellaouar, A.

This approach, allows using the failure as a source of progress in maintenance and design to detect the most critical components in equipment, to determine the priority order maintenance actions to lead and direct the exploitation procedure towards the most penalizing links in this equipment, even define the necessary changes and recommendations for future improvement. Thus, appreciate the pathological behaviour of the material and increase its availability, even increase its lifespan and improve its future design. In this context and in the light of these points, the failures are important in managing the maintenance function. Indeed, it has become important to understand the phenomena of failure and degradation of equipments in order to establish an appropriate maintenance policy for the rational use of mechanical components and move to the practice of proactive maintenance [1], do maintenance at the design [2].

46 CFR 78.47-75 - Ventilation alarm failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Ventilation alarm failure. 78.47-75 Section 78.47-75... Fire and Emergency Equipment, Etc. § 78.47-75 Ventilation alarm failure. (a) The alarm required by § 72... FAILURE IN VEHICULAR SPACE.” (b) [Reserved] [CGFR 66-33, 31 FR 15284, Dec. 6, 1966] ...

46 CFR 78.47-75 - Ventilation alarm failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Ventilation alarm failure. 78.47-75 Section 78.47-75... Fire and Emergency Equipment, Etc. § 78.47-75 Ventilation alarm failure. (a) The alarm required by § 72... FAILURE IN VEHICULAR SPACE.” (b) [Reserved] [CGFR 66-33, 31 FR 15284, Dec. 6, 1966] ...

46 CFR 78.47-75 - Ventilation alarm failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Ventilation alarm failure. 78.47-75 Section 78.47-75... Fire and Emergency Equipment, Etc. § 78.47-75 Ventilation alarm failure. (a) The alarm required by § 72... FAILURE IN VEHICULAR SPACE.” (b) [Reserved] [CGFR 66-33, 31 FR 15284, Dec. 6, 1966] ...

46 CFR 78.47-75 - Ventilation alarm failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Ventilation alarm failure. 78.47-75 Section 78.47-75... Fire and Emergency Equipment, Etc. § 78.47-75 Ventilation alarm failure. (a) The alarm required by § 72... FAILURE IN VEHICULAR SPACE.” (b) [Reserved] [CGFR 66-33, 31 FR 15284, Dec. 6, 1966] ...

46 CFR 78.47-75 - Ventilation alarm failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Ventilation alarm failure. 78.47-75 Section 78.47-75... Fire and Emergency Equipment, Etc. § 78.47-75 Ventilation alarm failure. (a) The alarm required by § 72... FAILURE IN VEHICULAR SPACE.” (b) [Reserved] [CGFR 66-33, 31 FR 15284, Dec. 6, 1966] ...

Gap formation following primary repair of the anterior cruciate ligament: A biomechanical evaluation.

PubMed

van der List, Jelle P; DiFelice, Gregory S

2017-03-01

Historically, inconsistent and unpredictable results of open primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair were reported. Recently, however, good results of arthroscopic primary ACL repair of proximal tears have been reported. Purpose of this study was to assess the direct postoperative gap formation and maximum failure load following simulated knee motion after primary ACL repair. Six matched-paired human cadaveric knees (mean age: 52years, range: 48 to 56years) were used. After primary proximal ACL repair with either suture button fixation or suture anchor fixation, knees were cycled five, 50 and 100 times with a simulated active quadriceps force. Gap formation between the femoral wall and ligament was measured using a digital caliper and maximum failure load was tested. Gap formation after five, 50 and 100cycles of the knee were 0.30mm (±0.23), 0.75mm (±0.55) and 0.97mm (±0.70), respectively, with no significant differences between both fixation techniques. The overall maximum failure load was 243N (±143) with no difference between both techniques. Most common failure mode was slipping of suture from the fixation. Following proximal ACL repair, gap formation of approximately one millimeter was measured after repetitious knee cycling with mean maximum failure load of 243N. These findings are likely to be sufficient for careful early active range of motion (ROM) when extrapolating from other available studies. Future studies with second-look arthroscopy are necessary to assess the gap formation and healing in patients treated with primary repair. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Decreasing Failure Rate, Mixed Exponential Model Applied to Reliability.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

Trident missile systems have been observed. The mixed exponential distribu- tion has been shown to fit the life data for the electronic equipment on...these systems . This paper discusses some of the estimation problems which occur with the decreasing failure rate mixed exponential distribution when...assumption of constant or increasing failure rate seemed to be incorrect. 2. However, the design of this electronic equipment indicated that

Minding the Cyber-Physical Gap: Model-Based Analysis and Mitigation of Systemic Perception-Induced Failure

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The cyber-physical gap (CPG) is the difference between the ‘real’ state of the world and the way the system perceives it. This discrepancy often stems from the limitations of sensing and data collection technologies and capabilities, and is inevitable at some degree in any cyber-physical system (CPS). Ignoring or misrepresenting such limitations during system modeling, specification, design, and analysis can potentially result in systemic misconceptions, disrupted functionality and performance, system failure, severe damage, and potential detrimental impacts on the system and its environment. We propose CPG-Aware Modeling & Engineering (CPGAME), a conceptual model-based approach to capturing, explaining, and mitigating the CPG. CPGAME enhances the systems engineer’s ability to cope with CPGs, mitigate them by design, and prevent erroneous decisions and actions. We demonstrate CPGAME by applying it for modeling and analysis of the 1979 Three Miles Island 2 nuclear accident, and show how its meltdown could be mitigated. We use ISO-19450:2015—Object Process Methodology as our conceptual modeling framework. PMID:28714910

46 CFR 97.37-50 - Ventilation alarm failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Ventilation alarm failure. 97.37-50 Section 97.37-50... OPERATIONS Markings for Fire and Emergency Equipment, Etc. § 97.37-50 Ventilation alarm failure. (a) The...-inch letters “VENTILATION FAILURE IN VEHICULAR SPACE.” (b) [Reserved] [CGFR 66-33, 31 FR 15286, Dec. 6...

46 CFR 97.37-50 - Ventilation alarm failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Ventilation alarm failure. 97.37-50 Section 97.37-50... OPERATIONS Markings for Fire and Emergency Equipment, Etc. § 97.37-50 Ventilation alarm failure. (a) The...-inch letters “VENTILATION FAILURE IN VEHICULAR SPACE.” (b) [Reserved] [CGFR 66-33, 31 FR 15286, Dec. 6...

46 CFR 97.37-50 - Ventilation alarm failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Ventilation alarm failure. 97.37-50 Section 97.37-50... OPERATIONS Markings for Fire and Emergency Equipment, Etc. § 97.37-50 Ventilation alarm failure. (a) The...-inch letters “VENTILATION FAILURE IN VEHICULAR SPACE.” (b) [Reserved] [CGFR 66-33, 31 FR 15286, Dec. 6...

46 CFR 97.37-50 - Ventilation alarm failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Ventilation alarm failure. 97.37-50 Section 97.37-50... OPERATIONS Markings for Fire and Emergency Equipment, Etc. § 97.37-50 Ventilation alarm failure. (a) The...-inch letters “VENTILATION FAILURE IN VEHICULAR SPACE.” (b) [Reserved] [CGFR 66-33, 31 FR 15286, Dec. 6...

Novel Augmentation Technique for Patellar Tendon Repair Improves Strength and Decreases Gap Formation: A Cadaveric Study.

PubMed

Black, James C; Ricci, William M; Gardner, Michael J; McAndrew, Christopher M; Agarwalla, Avinesh; Wojahn, Robert D; Abar, Orchid; Tang, Simon Y

2016-12-01

Patellar tendon ruptures commonly are repaired using transosseous patellar drill tunnels with modified-Krackow sutures in the patellar tendon. This simple suture technique has been associated with failure rates and poor clinical outcomes in a modest proportion of patients. Failure of this repair technique can result from gap formation during loading or a single catastrophic event. Several augmentation techniques have been described to improve the integrity of the repair, but standardized biomechanical evaluation of repair strength among different techniques is lacking. The purpose of this study was to describe a novel figure-of-eight suture technique to augment traditional fixation and evaluate its biomechanical performance. We hypothesized that the augmentation technique would (1) reduce gap formation during cyclic loading and (2) increase the maximum load to failure. Ten pairs (two male, eight female) of fresh-frozen cadaveric knees free of overt disorders or patellar tendon damage were used (average donor age, 76 years; range, 65-87 years). For each pair, one specimen underwent the standard transosseous tunnel suture repair with a modified-Krackow suture technique and the second underwent the standard repair with our experimental augmentation method. Nine pairs were suitable for testing. Each specimen underwent cyclic loading while continuously measuring gap formation across the repair. At the completion of cyclic loading, load to failure testing was performed. A difference in gap formation and mean load to failure was seen in favor of the augmentation technique. At 250 cycles, a 68% increase in gap formation was seen for the control group (control: 5.96 ± 0.86 mm [95% CI, 5.30-6.62 mm]; augmentation: 3.55 ± 0.56 mm [95% CI, 3.12-3.98 mm]; p = 0.02). The mean load to failure was 13% greater in the augmentation group (control: 899.57 ± 96.94 N [95% CI, 825.06-974.09 N]; augmentation: 1030.70 ± 122.41 N [95% CI, 936.61-1124.79 N]; p = 0.01). This biomechanical

The Los Alamos Gap Stick Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Preston, Daniel; Hill, Larry; Johnson, Carl

2015-06-01

In this paper we describe a novel shock sensitivity test, the Gap Stick Test, which is a generalized variant of the ubiquitous Gap Test. Despite the popularity of the Gap Test, it has some disadvantages: multiple tests must be fired to obtain a single metric, and many tests must be fired to obtain its value to high precision and confidence. Our solution is a test wherein multiple gap tests are joined in series to form a rate stick. The complex re-initiation character of the traditional gap test is thereby retained, but the propagation speed is steady when measured at periodic intervals, and initiation delay in individual segments acts to decrement the average speed. We measure the shock arrival time before and after each inert gap, and compute the average detonation speed through the HE alone (discounting the gap thicknesses). We perform tests for a range of gap thicknesses. We then plot the aforementioned propagation speed as a function of gap thickness. The resulting curve has the same basic structure as a Diameter Effect (DE) curve, and (like the DE curve) terminates at a failure point. Comparison between experiment and hydrocode calculations using ALE3D and the Ignition and Growth reactive burn model calibrated for short duration shock inputs in PBX 9501 is discussed.

Electronic equipment vulnerability to fire released carbon fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pride, R. A.; Mchatton, A. D.; Musselman, K. A.

1980-01-01

The vulnerability of electronic equipment to damage by carbon fibers released from burning aircraft type structural composite materials was investigated. Tests were conducted on commercially available stereo power amplifiers which showed that the equipment was damaged by fire released carbon fibers but not by the composite resin residue, soot and products of combustion of the fuel associated with burning the carbon fiber composites. Results indicate that the failure rates of the equipment exposed to the fire released fiber were consistent with predictions based on tests using virgin fibers.

Mind the Gap: Current Challenges and Future State of Heart Failure Care.

PubMed

McDonald, Michael A; Ashley, Euan A; Fedak, Paul W M; Hawkins, Nathaniel; Januzzi, James L; McMurray, John J V; Parikh, Victoria N; Rao, Vivek; Svystonyuk, Daniyil; Teerlink, John R; Virani, Sean

2017-11-01

The past decade has seen many advances in the management of heart failure (HF) that have improved survival and quality of life for patients living with this condition. A number of gaps remain in our understanding of the pathophysiology of HF, and the application of emerging treatment strategies is an exciting but daunting challenge. It is possible that advances in genetic evaluation of cardiomyopathy will provide a more refined approach to characterizing HF syndromes, whereas large-scale clinical trials on the horizon should further clarify the role of novel pharmacologic agents and invasive therapies. Cardiac repair and regeneration hold great promise, but a number of pragmatic issues will limit clinical application in the near term. Replacing cardiac function with ventricular assist devices represents significant progress in the management of advanced disease; however, unacceptable rates of complications and costs need to be addressed before broader use in the general HF population is feasible. The ability to personalize care is limited, and the optimal model of disease management in the Canadian context remains uncertain. The emergence of biomarker-guided management and remote monitoring technologies might facilitate a more personalized approach to care in an effort to maintain health and stability and to prevent worsening HF. Ultimately, a greater understanding of how and when to intervene in the setting of acute HF should translate into improved outcomes for the highest-risk subgroup of patients. This review highlights key challenges in the management of HF and highlights the progress toward an ideal future state. Copyright © 2017 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Addressing the "Research Gap" in Special Education through Mixed Methods

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klingner, Janette K.; Boardman, Alison G.

2011-01-01

At least some of the challenges faced in special education, such as the disproportionate representation of culturally and linguistically diverse students, the gap between research and practice, and inequitable educational opportunities, can be explained in part by a research gap, or, in other words, a failure to conduct the different types of…

The treatment gap in patients with chronic systolic heart failure: a systematic review of evidence-based prescribing in practice.

PubMed

Chin, Ken Lee; Skiba, Marina; Tonkin, Andrew; Reid, Christopher M; Liew, Danny; Krum, Henry; Hopper, Ingrid

2016-11-01

The extent and impact of under-prescribing of evidence-based pharmacological therapies among heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF) in contemporary practice is unclear. We sought to examine the prescribing patterns of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers (BBs) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and to quantify the estimated 'treatment gap' among HFREF patients in the 'real-world' setting. The MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL databases were searched for registry- or survey-based studies which examined the prescribing rates of ACE inhibitors, ARBs, BBs and MRAs among HFREF patients. Searches were limited to those published in the years 2000-2015. A total of 23 reports, including 83,605 patients, were evaluated. Overall, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, BBs and MRAs were prescribed to 79.8, 81.4 and 36.4 % of patients, respectively. The estimated treatment gaps in the overall population were 13.1 % for ACE inhibitors/ARBs, 3.9 % for BBs and 16.8 % for MRAs. The proportion of patients who received ≥50 % of the guideline-recommended target doses was 72 % for ACE inhibitors, 51 % for ARBs, 49 % for BBs, 53 % for the combination of ACE inhibitors/ARBs and BBs and 83 % for MRAs. Prescribing these drugs according to contemporary guidelines was associated with lower mortality risk. Patients who were elderly, female and with comorbidities were less likely to receive optimal treatment as recommended by the guidelines. ACE inhibitors, ARBs, BBs and MRAs are under-prescribed in eligible HFREF patients. Efforts should be made to improve approaches to closing the treatment gap at both systems of care and individual levels.

High-throughput sequencing: a failure mode analysis.

PubMed

Yang, George S; Stott, Jeffery M; Smailus, Duane; Barber, Sarah A; Balasundaram, Miruna; Marra, Marco A; Holt, Robert A

2005-01-04

Basic manufacturing principles are becoming increasingly important in high-throughput sequencing facilities where there is a constant drive to increase quality, increase efficiency, and decrease operating costs. While high-throughput centres report failure rates typically on the order of 10%, the causes of sporadic sequencing failures are seldom analyzed in detail and have not, in the past, been formally reported. Here we report the results of a failure mode analysis of our production sequencing facility based on detailed evaluation of 9,216 ESTs generated from two cDNA libraries. Two categories of failures are described; process-related failures (failures due to equipment or sample handling) and template-related failures (failures that are revealed by close inspection of electropherograms and are likely due to properties of the template DNA sequence itself). Preventative action based on a detailed understanding of failure modes is likely to improve the performance of other production sequencing pipelines.

14 CFR 125.203 - Communication and navigation equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... very high frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. FAA-2002-14002, 72 FR 31682, June 7, 2007] ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment. 125.203 Section 125.203 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF...

14 CFR 125.203 - Communication and navigation equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... very high frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. FAA-2002-14002, 72 FR 31682, June 7, 2007] ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment. 125.203 Section 125.203 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF...

14 CFR 125.203 - Communication and navigation equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... very high frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. FAA-2002-14002, 72 FR 31682, June 7, 2007] ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment. 125.203 Section 125.203 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF...

14 CFR 125.203 - Communication and navigation equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... very high frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. FAA-2002-14002, 72 FR 31682, June 7, 2007] ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment. 125.203 Section 125.203 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF...

14 CFR 125.203 - Communication and navigation equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... very high frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. FAA-2002-14002, 72 FR 31682, June 7, 2007] ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment. 125.203 Section 125.203 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF...

Con Edison power failure of July 13 and 14, 1977. Final staff report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

1978-06-01

On July 13, 1977 the entire electric load of the Con Edison system was lost, plunging New York City and Westchester County into darkness. The collapse resulted from a combination of natural events, equipment malfunctions, questionable system-design features, and operating errors. An attempt is made in this report to answer the following: what were the specific causes of the failure; if equipment malfunctions and operator errors contributed, could they have been prevented; to what extent was Con Edison prepared to handle such an emergency; and did Con Edison plan prudently reserve generation, for reserve transmission capability, for automatic equipment tomore » protect its system, and for proper operator response to a critical situation. Following the introductory and summary section, additional sections include: the Consolidated Edison system; prevention of bulk power-supply interruptions; the sequence of failure and restoration; analysis of the July 1977 power failure; restoration sequence and equipment damage assessment; and other investigations of the blackout. (MCW)« less

On the Far Bank: The Effects of Gap Crossing on Operational Reach

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-25

operations. 15. SUBJECT TERMS United States Army; Gap crossing; River crossing; Operational reach; Operation Market -Garden; Operation Plunder...3 Case Study: Operation Market Garden...successful gap crossing. The Allied failure in Operation Market -Garden during World War II showed that successfully crossing a river such as the Waal does

Should we worry about periacetabular interference gaps in hip resurfacing?

PubMed

Gomes, Bruno; Olsen, Michael; Donnelly, Michael; Kumar, Ashesh; Schemitsch, Emil H

2013-02-01

Press-fit acetabular component seating in hip resurfacing can be challenging as a strong interference fit is required. It has not been established whether reducing the acetabular underream minimizes incomplete component seating or leads to increased acetabular loosening. We examined (1) the incidence and natural history of postoperative interference gaps in hip resurfacing and (2) whether reduction of the acetabular underream from 2 mm to 1 mm reduces the incidence of periacetabular interference gaps. Of 327 Birmingham Hip™ Resurfacings (Smith & Nephew Inc, Memphis, TN, USA) performed by a single surgeon from 2005 to 2010, we evaluated 306 hips with a minimum 1-year radiographic followup. Postoperative periacetabular interference gaps were monitored for radiographic gap resolution at latest followup. The frequency of incomplete component seating was compared between acetabula prepared with 1- and 2-mm underream techniques. Minimum followup was 1 year (mean, 2.7 years; range, 1-6 years). Fifty-one percent of the postoperative radiographs demonstrated the presence of a periacetabular interference gap. At latest followup, 96% of these gaps were no longer visible. We observed a reduction in the number of interference gaps identified when acetabular preparation changed from a 2-mm underream (63%) to a 1-mm underream (39%). There were no revisions due to acetabular failure. Periacetabular interference gaps were common in this series but not associated with acetabular component failure. The use of a 1-mm underream is sufficient for adequate short-term press-fit fixation of the acetabular component in Birmingham Hip™ Resurfacing arthroplasty. Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

NASA ground terminal communication equipment automated fault isolation expert systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tang, Y. K.; Wetzel, C. R.

1990-01-01

The prototype expert systems are described that diagnose the Distribution and Switching System I and II (DSS1 and DSS2), Statistical Multiplexers (SM), and Multiplexer and Demultiplexer systems (MDM) at the NASA Ground Terminal (NGT). A system level fault isolation expert system monitors the activities of a selected data stream, verifies that the fault exists in the NGT and identifies the faulty equipment. Equipment level fault isolation expert systems are invoked to isolate the fault to a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) level. Input and sometimes output data stream activities for the equipment are available. The system level fault isolation expert system compares the equipment input and output status for a data stream and performs loopback tests (if necessary) to isolate the faulty equipment. The equipment level fault isolation system utilizes the process of elimination and/or the maintenance personnel's fault isolation experience stored in its knowledge base. The DSS1, DSS2 and SM fault isolation systems, using the knowledge of the current equipment configuration and the equipment circuitry issues a set of test connections according to the predefined rules. The faulty component or board can be identified by the expert system by analyzing the test results. The MDM fault isolation system correlates the failure symptoms with the faulty component based on maintenance personnel experience. The faulty component can be determined by knowing the failure symptoms. The DSS1, DSS2, SM, and MDM equipment simulators are implemented in PASCAL. The DSS1 fault isolation expert system was converted to C language from VP-Expert and integrated into the NGT automation software for offline switch diagnoses. Potentially, the NGT fault isolation algorithms can be used for the DSS1, SM, amd MDM located at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).

Advanced risk assessment of the effects of graphite fibers on electronic and electric equipment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pocinki, L.; Cornell, M.; Kaplan, L.

1980-01-01

An assessment of the risk associated with accidents involving aircraft with carbon fiber composite structural components is examined. The individual fiber segments cause electrical and electronic equipment to fail under certain operating conditions. A Monte Carlo simulation model was used to computer the risk. Aircraft accidents with fire, release of carbon fiber material, entrainment of carbon fibers in a smoke plume transport of fibers downwind, transfer of some fibers/into the the interior of buildings, failures of electrical and electronic equipment, and economic impact of failures are discussed. Risk profiles were prepared for individual airports and the Nation. The vulnerability of electrical transmission equipment to carbon fiber incursion and aircraft accident total costs is investigated.

Improving FMEA risk assessment through reprioritization of failures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ungureanu, A. L.; Stan, G.

2016-08-01

Most of the current methods used to assess the failure and to identify the industrial equipment defects are based on the determination of Risk Priority Number (RPN). Although conventional RPN calculation is easy to understand and use, the methodology presents some limitations, such as the large number of duplicates and the difficulty of assessing the RPN indices. In order to eliminate the afore-mentioned shortcomings, this paper puts forward an easy and efficient computing method, called Failure Developing Mode and Criticality Analysis (FDMCA), which takes into account the failures and the defect evolution in time, from failure appearance to a breakdown.

MS-BWME: A Wireless Real-Time Monitoring System for Brine Well Mining Equipment

PubMed Central

Xiao, Xinqing; Zhu, Tianyu; Qi, Lin; Moga, Liliana Mihaela; Zhang, Xiaoshuan

2014-01-01

This paper describes a wireless real-time monitoring system (MS-BWME) to monitor the running state of pumps equipment in brine well mining and prevent potential failures that may produce unexpected interruptions with severe consequences. MS-BWME consists of two units: the ZigBee Wireless Sensors Network (WSN) unit and the real-time remote monitoring unit. MS-BWME was implemented and tested in sampled brine wells mining in Qinghai Province and four kinds of indicators were selected to evaluate the performance of the MS-BWME, i.e., sensor calibration, the system's real-time data reception, Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and sensor node lifetime. The results show that MS-BWME can accurately judge the running state of the pump equipment by acquiring and transmitting the real-time voltage and electric current data of the equipment from the spot and provide real-time decision support aid to help workers overhaul the equipment in a timely manner and resolve failures that might produce unexpected production down-time. The MS-BWME can also be extended to a wide range of equipment monitoring applications. PMID:25340455

The NOL Gap Test: Past, present, and future

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobs, S. J.; Price, D.

1980-01-01

A brief history of the development of the gap test is presented with emphasis on accumulated knowledge of how best to use it as a tool to assess relative shock sensitivity of explosives and propellants. Present information about the detonation process in build-up, steady state, and failure is used to show that failure diameter cannot give the desired shock sensitivity assessment. Suggestions are made for improving the test to an experiment. The use of spherical donors, water as attenuator, and camera instrumentation are briefly discussed.

49 CFR 234.7 - Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure... PLANS Reports and Plans § 234.7 Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure. (a) Each railroad shall report to FRA every impact between on-track railroad equipment and an automobile, bus, truck...

49 CFR 234.7 - Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure... PLANS Reports and Plans § 234.7 Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure. (a) Each railroad shall report to FRA every impact between on-track railroad equipment and an automobile, bus, truck...

Workshop on Bridging Satellite Climate Data Gaps.

PubMed

Cooksey, Catherine; Datla, Raju

2011-01-01

Detecting the small signals of climate change for the most essential climate variables requires that satellite sensors make highly accurate and consistent measurements. Data gaps in the time series (such as gaps resulting from launch delay or failure) and inconsistencies in radiometric scales between satellites undermine the credibility of fundamental climate data records, and can lead to erroneous analysis in climate change detection. To address these issues, leading experts in Earth observations from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA), United States Geological Survey (USGS), and academia assembled at the National Institute of Standards and Technology on December 10, 2009 for a workshop to prioritize strategies for bridging and mitigating data gaps in the climate record. This paper summarizes the priorities for ensuring data continuity of variables relevant to climate change in the areas of atmosphere, land, and ocean measurements and the recommendations made at the workshop for overcoming planned and unplanned gaps in the climate record.

40 CFR 141.561 - What happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 24 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false What happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails? 141.561 Section 141.561 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails? If there is a failure in the continuous...

40 CFR 141.561 - What happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails? 141.561 Section 141.561 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails? If there is a failure in the continuous...

40 CFR 141.561 - What happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 24 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false What happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails? 141.561 Section 141.561 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails? If there is a failure in the continuous...

40 CFR 141.561 - What happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false What happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails? 141.561 Section 141.561 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... happens if my system's turbidity monitoring equipment fails? If there is a failure in the continuous...

Failure Analysis at the Kennedy Space Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salazar, Victoria L.; Wright, M. Clara

2010-01-01

History has shown that failures occur in every engineering endeavor, and what we learn from those failures contributes to the knowledge base to safely complete future missions. The necessity of failure analysis is at its apex at the end of one aged program and at the beginning of a new and untested program. The information that we gain through failure analysis corrects the deficiencies in the current vehicle to make the next generation of vehicles more efficient and safe. The Failure Analysis and Materials Evaluation Branch in the Materials Science Division at the Kennedy Space Center performs metallurgical, mechanical, electrical, and non-metallic materials failure analyses and accident investigations on both flight hardware and ground support equipment for the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Constellation, and Launch Services Programs. This paper will explore a variety of failure case studies at the Kennedy Space Center and the lessons learned that can be applied in future programs.

Detonation Failure Thickness Measurement in AN Annular Geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mack, D. B.; Petel, O. E.; Higgins, A. J.

2007-12-01

The failure thickness of neat nitromethane in aluminum confinement was measured using a novel experimental technique. The thickness was approximated in an annular geometry by the gap between a concentric aluminum tube and rod. This technique was motivated by the desire to have a periodic boundary condition in the direction orthogonal to the annulus thickness, rather than a free surface occurring in typical rectangular geometry experiments. This results in a two-dimensional charge analogous to previous failure thickness setups but with infinite effective width (i.e. infinite aspect ratio). Detonation propagation or failure was determined by the observation of failure patterns engraved on the aluminum rod by the passing detonation. Analysis of these engraved patterns provides a statistical measurement of the spatial density of failure waves. Failure was observed as far as 180 thicknesses downstream. The failure thickness was measured to be 1.45 mm±0.15 mm.

Gap Analysis for Chinese Drug Control Institutes to Achieve the Standards of World Health Organization Medicine Prequalification.

PubMed

Mao, Xin; Yang, Yue

2017-02-01

The study aims to explore the challenges and the gaps faced by Chinese Drug Control Institutes in achieving the standards of World Health Organization (WHO) Medicine Prequalification. The study was undertaken with 6 Provincial Drug Control Institutes in China from November 2012 to November 2013. The study assessed key elements required to comply with WHO Good Practices for Pharmaceutical Quality Control Laboratories (GPPQCL). For GPPQCL, the study found gaps in quality management system, control of documentation, data-processing equipment, premises and equipment, contracts, reagents (water), reference substances and reference materials, calibration, verification of performance and qualification of equipment, instruments and other devices, analytical worksheet, evaluation of test results, personnel, and validation of analytical procedures. The study indicates that gaps are attributed to differences between the standards of Chinese Accreditation Standards and WHO-GPPQCL. Copyright © 2017 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Frequency Analysis of Failure Scenarios from Shale Gas Development.

PubMed

Abualfaraj, Noura; Gurian, Patrick L; Olson, Mira S

2018-04-29

This study identified and prioritized potential failure scenarios for natural gas drilling operations through an elicitation of people who work in the industry. A list of twelve failure scenarios of concern was developed focusing on specific events that may occur during the shale gas extraction process involving an operational failure or a violation of regulations. Participants prioritized the twelve scenarios based on their potential impact on the health and welfare of the general public, potential impact on worker safety, how well safety guidelines protect against their occurrence, and how frequently they occur. Illegal dumping of flowback water, while rated as the least frequently occurring scenario, was considered the scenario least protected by safety controls and the one of most concern to the general public. In terms of worker safety, the highest concern came from improper or inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). While safety guidelines appear to be highly protective regarding PPE usage, inadequate PPE is the most directly witnessed failure scenario. Spills of flowback water due to equipment failure are of concern both with regards to the welfare of the general public and worker safety as they occur more frequently than any other scenario examined in this study.

Frequency Analysis of Failure Scenarios from Shale Gas Development

PubMed Central

Abualfaraj, Noura; Olson, Mira S.

2018-01-01

This study identified and prioritized potential failure scenarios for natural gas drilling operations through an elicitation of people who work in the industry. A list of twelve failure scenarios of concern was developed focusing on specific events that may occur during the shale gas extraction process involving an operational failure or a violation of regulations. Participants prioritized the twelve scenarios based on their potential impact on the health and welfare of the general public, potential impact on worker safety, how well safety guidelines protect against their occurrence, and how frequently they occur. Illegal dumping of flowback water, while rated as the least frequently occurring scenario, was considered the scenario least protected by safety controls and the one of most concern to the general public. In terms of worker safety, the highest concern came from improper or inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). While safety guidelines appear to be highly protective regarding PPE usage, inadequate PPE is the most directly witnessed failure scenario. Spills of flowback water due to equipment failure are of concern both with regards to the welfare of the general public and worker safety as they occur more frequently than any other scenario examined in this study. PMID:29710821

Inspection criteria ensure quality control of parallel gap soldering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burka, J. A.

1968-01-01

Investigation of parallel gap soldering of electrical leads resulted in recommendation on material preparation, equipment, process control, and visual inspection criteria to ensure reliable solder joints. The recommendations will minimize problems in heat-dwell time, amount of solder, bridging conductors, and damage of circuitry.

Failure to Launch: Confronting the Male College Student Achievement Gap

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glenn, Lane A.; Van Wert, Suzanne

2010-01-01

A few years ago, Mathew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker generated big laughs and big box office sales in "Failure to Launch," an absurd comedy about a 26-year old man still living in his parents' basement, spending his days watching television and playing video games while the world passed him by. The film was closer to the truth…

Nursing research in heart failure care: a position statement of the american association of heart failure nurses (AAHFN).

PubMed

Stamp, Kelly D; Prasun, Marilyn; Lee, Christopher S; Jaarsma, Tiny; Piano, Mariann R; Albert, Nancy M

Heart Failure (HF) is a public health problem globally affecting approximately 6 million in the United States. A tailored position statement was developed by the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN) and their Research Consortium to assist researchers, funding institutions and policymakers with improving HF clinical advancements and outcomes. A comprehensive review was conducted using multiple search terms in various combinations to describe gaps in HF nursing science. Based on gaps described in the literature, the AAHFN made recommendations for future areas of research in HF. Nursing has made positive contributions through disease management interventions, however, quality, rigorous research is needed to improve the lives of patients and families while advancing nursing science. Advancing HF science is critical to managing and improving patient outcomes while promoting the nursing profession. Based on this review, the AAHFN is putting forth a call to action for research designs that promote validity, sustainability, and funding of future nursing research. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Small Portable Analyzer Diagnostic Equipment (SPADE) Program -- Diagnostic Software Validation

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-07-01

Electronic Equipment Electromagnetic Emission and Susceptibility Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Electromagnetic...ONLY. ORIENTATION OF DEFECT LOOKING HHO QIlILL: t -ed’-o· Significant efforts were expended to simulate spalling failures associated with naturally

Multi-dimension and Comprehensive Assessment on the Utilizing and Sharing of Regional Large-Scale Scientific Equipment

PubMed Central

Li, Chen; Yongbo, Lv; Chi, Chen

2015-01-01

Based on the data from 30 provincial regions in China, an assessment and empirical analysis was carried out on the utilizing and sharing of the large-scale scientific equipment with a comprehensive assessment model established on the three dimensions, namely, equipment, utilization and sharing. The assessment results were interpreted in light of relevant policies. The results showed that on the whole, the overall development level in the provincial regions in eastern and central China is higher than that in western China. This is mostly because of the large gap among the different provincial regions with respect to the equipped level. But in terms of utilizing and sharing, some of the Western provincial regions, such as Ningxia, perform well, which is worthy of our attention. Policy adjustment targeting at the differentiation, elevation of the capacity of the equipment management personnel, perfection of the sharing and cooperation platform, and the promotion of the establishment of open sharing funds, are all important measures to promote the utilization and sharing of the large-scale scientific equipment and to narrow the gap among different regions. PMID:25937850

Incorporating Equipment Condition Assessment in Risk Monitors for Advanced Small Modular Reactors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coble, Jamie B.; Coles, Garill A.; Meyer, Ryan M.

2013-10-01

Advanced small modular reactors (aSMRs) can complement the current fleet of large light-water reactors in the USA for baseload and peak demand power production and process heat applications (e.g., water desalination, shale oil extraction, hydrogen production). The day-to-day costs of aSMRs are expected to be dominated by operations and maintenance (O&M); however, the effect of diverse operating missions and unit modularity on O&M is not fully understood. These costs could potentially be reduced by optimized scheduling, with risk-informed scheduling of maintenance, repair, and replacement of equipment. Currently, most nuclear power plants have a “living” probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), which reflectsmore » the as-operated, as-modified plant and combine event probabilities with population-based probability of failure (POF) for key components. “Risk monitors” extend the PRA by incorporating the actual and dynamic plant configuration (equipment availability, operating regime, environmental conditions, etc.) into risk assessment. In fact, PRAs are more integrated into plant management in today’s nuclear power plants than at any other time in the history of nuclear power. However, population-based POF curves are still used to populate fault trees; this approach neglects the time-varying condition of equipment that is relied on during standard and non-standard configurations. Equipment condition monitoring techniques can be used to estimate the component POF. Incorporating this unit-specific estimate of POF in the risk monitor can provide a more accurate estimate of risk in different operating and maintenance configurations. This enhanced risk assessment will be especially important for aSMRs that have advanced component designs, which don’t have an available operating history to draw from, and often use passive design features, which present challenges to PRA. This paper presents the requirements and technical gaps for developing a framework to

A multi-scale segmentation approach to filling gaps in Landsat ETM+ SLC-off images

USGS Publications Warehouse

Maxwell, S.K.; Schmidt, Gail L.; Storey, James C.

2007-01-01

On 31 May 2003, the Landsat Enhanced Thematic Plus (ETM+) Scan Line Corrector (SLC) failed, causing the scanning pattern to exhibit wedge-shaped scan-to-scan gaps. We developed a method that uses coincident spectral data to fill the image gaps. This method uses a multi-scale segment model, derived from a previous Landsat SLC-on image (image acquired prior to the SLC failure), to guide the spectral interpolation across the gaps in SLC-off images (images acquired after the SLC failure). This paper describes the process used to generate the segment model, provides details of the gap-fill algorithm used in deriving the segment-based gap-fill product, and presents the results of the gap-fill process applied to grassland, cropland, and forest landscapes. Our results indicate this product will be useful for a wide variety of applications, including regional-scale studies, general land cover mapping (e.g. forest, urban, and grass), crop-specific mapping and monitoring, and visual assessments. Applications that need to be cautious when using pixels in the gap areas include any applications that require per-pixel accuracy, such as urban characterization or impervious surface mapping, applications that use texture to characterize landscape features, and applications that require accurate measurements of small or narrow landscape features such as roads, farmsteads, and riparian areas.

Operational Failures and Interruptions in Hospital Nursing

PubMed Central

Tucker, Anita L; Spear, Steven J

2006-01-01

Objective To describe the work environment of hospital nurses with particular focus on the performance of work systems supplying information, materials, and equipment for patient care. Data Sources Primary observation, semistructured interviews, and surveys of hospital nurses. Study Design We sampled a cross-sectional group of six U.S. hospitals to examine the frequency of work system failures and their impact on nurse productivity. Data Collection We collected minute-by-minute data on the activities of 11 nurses. In addition, we conducted interviews with six of these nurses using questions related to obstacles to care. Finally, we created and administered two surveys in 48 nursing units, one for nurses and one for managers, asking about the frequency of specific work system failures. Principal Findings Nurses we observed experienced an average of 8.4 work system failures per 8-hour shift. The five most frequent types of failures, accounting for 6.4 of these obstacles, involved medications, orders, supplies, staffing, and equipment. Survey questions asking nurses how frequently they experienced these five categories of obstacles yielded similar frequencies. For an average 8-hour shift, the average task time was only 3.1 minutes, and in spite of this, nurses were interrupted mid-task an average of eight times per shift. Conclusions Our findings suggest that nurse effectiveness can be increased by creating improvement processes triggered by the occurrence of work system failures, with the goal of reducing future occurrences. Second, given that nursing work is fragmented and unpredictable, designing processes that are robust to interruption can help prevent errors. PMID:16704505

Active epilepsy prevalence, the treatment gap, and treatment gap risk profile in eastern China: A population-based study.

PubMed

Ding, Xiaoyan; Zheng, Yang; Guo, Yi; Shen, Chunhong; Wang, Shan; Chen, Feng; Yan, Shengqiang; Ding, Meiping

2018-01-01

We measured the prevalence of active epilepsy and investigated the treatment gap and treatment gap risk profile in eastern China. This was a cross-sectional population-based survey conducted in Zhejiang, China, from October 2013 to March 2014. A total 54,976 people were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. A two-stage questionnaire-based process was used to identify patients with active epilepsy and to record their demographic, socioeconomic, and epilepsy-related features. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors of the treatment gap in eastern China, as adjusted for age and sex. We interviewed 50,035 people; 118 had active epilepsy (2.4‰), among which the treatment gap was 58.5%. In multivariate analysis, failure to receive appropriate antiepileptic treatment was associated with higher seizure frequency of 12-23 times per year (adjusted odds ratio=6.874; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.372-19.918), >24 times per year (adjusted odds ratio=19.623; 95% CI=4.999-77.024), and a lack of health insurance (adjusted odds ratio=7.284; 95% CI=1.321-40.154). Eastern China has relatively lower prevalence of active epilepsy and smaller treatment gap. Interventions aimed at reducing seizure frequency, improving the health insurance system should be investigated as potential targets to further bridge the treatment gap. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fundamental gaps with approximate density functionals: The derivative discontinuity revealed from ensemble considerations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kraisler, Eli; Kronik, Leeor

2014-05-14

The fundamental gap is a central quantity in the electronic structure of matter. Unfortunately, the fundamental gap is not generally equal to the Kohn-Sham gap of density functional theory (DFT), even in principle. The two gaps differ precisely by the derivative discontinuity, namely, an abrupt change in slope of the exchange-correlation energy as a function of electron number, expected across an integer-electron point. Popular approximate functionals are thought to be devoid of a derivative discontinuity, strongly compromising their performance for prediction of spectroscopic properties. Here we show that, in fact, all exchange-correlation functionals possess a derivative discontinuity, which arises naturallymore » from the application of ensemble considerations within DFT, without any empiricism. This derivative discontinuity can be expressed in closed form using only quantities obtained in the course of a standard DFT calculation of the neutral system. For small, finite systems, addition of this derivative discontinuity indeed results in a greatly improved prediction for the fundamental gap, even when based on the most simple approximate exchange-correlation density functional – the local density approximation (LDA). For solids, the same scheme is exact in principle, but when applied to LDA it results in a vanishing derivative discontinuity correction. This failure is shown to be directly related to the failure of LDA in predicting fundamental gaps from total energy differences in extended systems.« less

Implementing guideline based heart failure care in the Northern Territory: challenges and solutions.

PubMed

Iyngkaran, Pupalan; Harris, Melanie; Ilton, Marcus; Kangaharan, Nadarajan; Battersby, Malcolm; Stewart, Simon; Brown, Alex

2014-05-01

The Northern Territory of Australia is a vast area serviced by two major tertiary hospitals. It has both a unique demography and geography, which pose challenges for delivering optimal heart failure services. The prevalence of congestive heart failure continues to increase, imposing a significant burden on health infrastructure and health care costs. Specific patient groups suffer disproportionately from increased disease severity or service related issues often represented as a "health care gap". The syndrome itself is characterised by ongoing symptoms interspersed with acute decompensation requiring lifelong therapy and is rarely reversible. For the individual client the overwhelming attention to heart failure care and the impact of health care gaps can be devastating. This gap may also contribute to widening socio-economic differentials for families and communities as they seek to take on some of the care responsibilities. This review explores the challenges of heart failure best practice in the Northern Territory and the opportunities to improve on service delivery. The discussions highlighted could have implications for health service delivery throughout regional centres in Australia and health systems in other countries. Copyright © 2014 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). All rights reserved.

Equipment and Energy Usage in a Large Teaching Hospital in Norway.

PubMed

Rohde, Tarald; Martinez, Robert

2015-01-01

This article presents a study of how equipment is used in a Norwegian University hospital and suggests ways to reduce hospital energy consumption. Analysis of energy data from Norway's newest teaching hospital showed that electricity consumption was up to 50% of the whole-building energy consumption. Much of this is due to the increasing energy intensity of hospital-specific equipment. Measured power and reported usage patterns for equipment in the studied departments show daytime energy intensity of equipment at about 28.5 kBTU/ft2 per year (90 kWh/m2 per year), compared to building code standard value of only 14.9 kBTU/ft2 (47 kWh/m2 per year) for hospitals. This article intends to fill gaps in our understanding of how users and their equipment affect the energy balance in hospitals and suggests ways in which designers and equipment suppliers can help optimize energy performance while maintaining quality in the delivery of health services.

Establishment of the Dual Whole Cell Recording Patch Clamp Configuration for the Measurement of Gap Junction Conductance.

PubMed

Veenstra, Richard D

2016-01-01

The development of the patch clamp technique has enabled investigators to directly measure gap junction conductance between isolated pairs of small cells with resolution to the single channel level. The dual patch clamp recording technique requires specialized equipment and the acquired skill to reliably establish gigaohm seals and the whole cell recording configuration with high efficiency. This chapter describes the equipment needed and methods required to achieve accurate measurement of macroscopic and single gap junction channel conductances. Inherent limitations with the dual whole cell recording technique and methods to correct for series access resistance errors are defined as well as basic procedures to determine the essential electrical parameters necessary to evaluate the accuracy of gap junction conductance measurements using this approach.

14 CFR 125.205 - Equipment requirements: Airplanes under IFR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... airplane under IFR unless it has— (a) A vertical speed indicator; (b) A free-air temperature indicator; (c) A heated pitot tube for each airspeed indicator; (d) A power failure warning device or vacuum... equipment necessary for safe emergency operation of the airplane; and (g) Two independent sources of energy...

14 CFR 125.205 - Equipment requirements: Airplanes under IFR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... airplane under IFR unless it has— (a) A vertical speed indicator; (b) A free-air temperature indicator; (c) A heated pitot tube for each airspeed indicator; (d) A power failure warning device or vacuum... equipment necessary for safe emergency operation of the airplane; and (g) Two independent sources of energy...

14 CFR 125.205 - Equipment requirements: Airplanes under IFR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... airplane under IFR unless it has— (a) A vertical speed indicator; (b) A free-air temperature indicator; (c) A heated pitot tube for each airspeed indicator; (d) A power failure warning device or vacuum... equipment necessary for safe emergency operation of the airplane; and (g) Two independent sources of energy...

14 CFR 125.205 - Equipment requirements: Airplanes under IFR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... airplane under IFR unless it has— (a) A vertical speed indicator; (b) A free-air temperature indicator; (c) A heated pitot tube for each airspeed indicator; (d) A power failure warning device or vacuum... equipment necessary for safe emergency operation of the airplane; and (g) Two independent sources of energy...

14 CFR 125.205 - Equipment requirements: Airplanes under IFR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... airplane under IFR unless it has— (a) A vertical speed indicator; (b) A free-air temperature indicator; (c) A heated pitot tube for each airspeed indicator; (d) A power failure warning device or vacuum... equipment necessary for safe emergency operation of the airplane; and (g) Two independent sources of energy...

The global drug gap.

PubMed

Reich, M R

2000-03-17

Global inequities in access to pharmaceutical products exist between rich and poor countries because of market and government failures as well as huge income differences. Multiple policies are required to address this global drug gap for three categories of pharmaceutical products: essential drugs, new drugs, and yet-to-be-developed drugs. Policies should combine "push" approaches of subsidies to support targeted drug development, "pull" approaches of financial incentives such as market guarantees, and "process" approaches aimed at improved institutional capacity. Constructive solutions are needed that can both protect the incentives for research and development and reduce the inequities of access.

Using PHM to measure equipment usable life on the Air Force's next generation reusable space booster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blasdel, A.

The U.S. Air Force procures many launch vehicles and launch vehicle services to place their satellites at their desired location in space. The equipment on-board these satellite and launch vehicle often suffer from premature failures that result in the total loss of the satellite or a shortened mission life sometimes requiring the purchase of a replacement satellite and launch vehicle. The Air Force uses its EELV to launch its high priority satellites. Due to a rise in the cost of purchasing a launch using the Air Force's EELV from 72M in 1997 to as high as 475M per launch today, the Air Force is working to replace the EELV with a reusable space booster (RSB). The RSB will be similar in design and operations to the recently cancelled NASA reusable space booster known as the Space Shuttle. If the Air Force uses the same process that procures the EELV and other launch vehicles and satellites, the RSB will also suffer from premature equipment failures thus putting the payloads at a similar high risk of mission failure. The RSB is expected to lower each launch cost by 50% compared to the EELV. The development of the RSB offers the Air Force an opportunity to use a new reliability paradigm that includes a prognostic and health management program and a condition-based maintenance program. These both require using intelligent, decision making self-prognostic equipment The prognostic and health management program and its condition-based maintenance program allows increases in RSB equipment usable life, lower logistics and maintenance costs, while increasing safety and mission assurance. The PHM removes many decisions from personnel that, in the past resulted in catastrophic failures and loss of life. Adding intelligent, decision-making self-prognostic equipment to the RSB will further decrease launch costs while decreasing risk and increasing safety and mission assurance.

Air Gaps, Size Effect, and Corner-Turning in Ambient LX-17

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Souers, P C; Hernandez, A; Cabacungan, C

2008-02-05

Various ambient measurements are presented for LX-17. The size (diameter) effect has been measured with copper and Lucite confinement, where the failure radii are 4.0 and 6.5 mm, respectively. The air well corner-turn has been measured with an LX-07 booster, and the dead-zone results are comparable to the previous TATB-boosted work. Four double cylinders have been fired, and dead zones appear in all cases. The steel-backed samples are faster than the Lucite-backed samples by 0.6 {micro}s. Bare LX-07 and LX-17 of 12.7 mm-radius were fired with air gaps. Long acceptor regions were used to truly determine if detonation occurred ormore » not. The LX-07 crossed at 10 mm with a slight time delay. Steady state LX-17 crossed at 3.5 mm gap but failed to cross at 4.0 mm. LX-17 with a 12.7 mm run after the booster crossed a 1.5 mm gap but failed to cross 2.5 mm. Timing delays were measured where the detonation crossed the gaps. The Tarantula model is introduced as embedded in 0 reactive flow JWL++ and Linked Cheetah V4, mostly at 4 zones/mm. Tarantula has four pressure regions: off, initiation, failure and detonation. The physical basis of the input parameters is considered.« less

Nurse leaders and the innovation competence gap.

PubMed

White, Kenneth R; Pillay, Rubin; Huang, Xuan

2016-01-01

Nurses are well-positioned for innovation in health care delivery, although innovation is not generally learned in formal educational programs. The purpose of this study was to assess critical competencies for innovation success among nurse leaders in academia and practice, the perceived gaps on those competencies, and teaching methods that would be helpful in developing competencies related to innovation. A Web-enabled descriptive survey design was used to capture nurse leaders' perceptions of important innovation competencies and how they assess their level of competence in the particular innovation domain. Preferred approaches for innovation pedagogy were also queried. Respondents indicated significant gaps in 18 of 19 innovation competencies. Implications are for inclusion of innovation competencies in formal and continuing nursing education. The most preferred innovation pedagogical approaches are case studies of failures and successes and project- and field-based approaches. Traditional lectures are the least preferred way to address innovation competency gaps. There is a significant gap in innovation competencies among nurse leaders in practice and academia. The way we teach innovation needs to involve closer collaboration between academia and practice. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Progressive Seismic Failure, Seismic Gap, and Great Seismic Risk across the Densely Populated North China Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, A.; Yu, X.; Shen, Z.

2014-12-01

Although the seismically active North China basin has the most complete written records of pre-instrumentation earthquakes in the world, this information has not been fully utilized for assessing potential earthquake hazards of this densely populated region that hosts ~200 million people. In this study, we use the historical records to document the earthquake migration pattern and the existence of a 180-km seismic gap along the 600-km long right-slip Tangshan-Hejian-Cixian (THC) fault zone that cuts across the North China basin. The newly recognized seismic gap, which is centered at Tianjin with a population of 11 million people and ~120 km from Beijing (22 million people) and Tangshan (7 million people), has not been ruptured in the past 1000 years by M≥6 earthquakes. The seismic migration pattern in the past millennium suggests that the epicenters of major earthquakes have shifted towards this seismic gap along the THC fault, which implies that the 180- km gap could be the site of the next great earthquake with M≈7.6 if it is ruptured by a single event. Alternatively, the seismic gap may be explained by aseismic creeping or seismic strain transfer between active faults.

Right heart dysfunction and failure in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: mechanisms and management. Position statement on behalf of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

PubMed

Gorter, Thomas M; van Veldhuisen, Dirk J; Bauersachs, Johann; Borlaug, Barry A; Celutkiene, Jelena; Coats, Andrew J S; Crespo-Leiro, Marisa G; Guazzi, Marco; Harjola, Veli-Pekka; Heymans, Stephane; Hill, Loreena; Lainscak, Mitja; Lam, Carolyn S P; Lund, Lars H; Lyon, Alexander R; Mebazaa, Alexandre; Mueller, Christian; Paulus, Walter J; Pieske, Burkert; Piepoli, Massimo F; Ruschitzka, Frank; Rutten, Frans H; Seferovic, Petar M; Solomon, Scott D; Shah, Sanjiv J; Triposkiadis, Filippos; Wachter, Rolf; Tschöpe, Carsten; de Boer, Rudolf A

2018-01-01

There is an unmet need for effective treatment strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Until recently, attention in patients with HFpEF was almost exclusively focused on the left side. However, it is now increasingly recognized that right heart dysfunction is common and contributes importantly to poor prognosis in HFpEF. More insights into the development of right heart dysfunction in HFpEF may aid to our knowledge about this complex disease and may eventually lead to better treatments to improve outcomes in these patients. In this position paper from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, the Committee on Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction reviews the prevalence, diagnosis, and pathophysiology of right heart dysfunction and failure in patients with HFpEF. Finally, potential treatment strategies, important knowledge gaps and future directions regarding the right side in HFpEF are discussed. © 2017 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2017 European Society of Cardiology.

47 CFR 2.946 - Penalty for failure to provide test samples and data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Penalty for failure to provide test samples and data. 2.946 Section 2.946 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION GENERAL FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS Equipment Authorization Procedures Conditions Attendant to An Equipment Authorizatio...

Controlling stress corrosion cracking in mechanism components of ground support equipment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Majid, W. A.

1988-01-01

The selection of materials for mechanism components used in ground support equipment so that failures resulting from stress corrosion cracking will be prevented is described. A general criteria to be used in designing for resistance to stress corrosion cracking is also provided. Stress corrosion can be defined as combined action of sustained tensile stress and corrosion to cause premature failure of materials. Various aluminum, steels, nickel, titanium and copper alloys, and tempers and corrosive environment are evaluated for stress corrosion cracking.

PV System Component Fault and Failure Compilation and Analysis.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klise, Geoffrey Taylor; Lavrova, Olga; Gooding, Renee Lynne

This report describes data collection and analysis of solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment events, which consist of faults and fa ilures that occur during the normal operation of a distributed PV system or PV power plant. We present summary statistics from locations w here maintenance data is being collected at various intervals, as well as reliability statistics gathered from that da ta, consisting of fault/failure distributions and repair distributions for a wide range of PV equipment types.

Academic Wholism: Bridging the Gap between High School and College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Giuliano, Barbara; Sullivan, Judith

2007-01-01

Without adequate reading comprehension, writing proficiency, math competency, and critical thinking skills, students pursuing higher education are vulnerable to failure. An environmental Science course built around academic wholism is the focus of a summer program designed to bridge the gap between high school and college. Students self-reflect…

Porting Inition and Failure to Linked Cheetah

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vitello, P; Souers, P C

2007-07-18

Linked CHEETAH is a thermo-chemical code coupled to a 2-D hydrocode. Initially, a quadratic-pressure dependent kinetic rate was used, which worked well in modeling prompt detonation of explosives of large size, but does not work on other aspects of explosive behavior. The variable-pressure Tarantula reactive flow rate model was developed with JWL++ in order to also describe failure and initiation, and we have moved this model into Linked CHEETAH. The model works by turning on only above a pressure threshold, where a slow turn-on creates initiation. At a higher pressure, the rate suddenly leaps to a large value over amore » small pressure range. A slowly failing cylinder will see a rapidly declining rate, which pushes it quickly into failure. At a high pressure, the detonation rate is constant. A sequential validation procedure is used, which includes metal-confined cylinders, rate-sticks, corner-turning, initiation and threshold, gap tests and air gaps. The size (diameter) effect is central to the calibration.« less

Perceptions and experiences of a gender gap at a Canadian research institute and potential strategies to mitigate this gap: a sequential mixed-methods study

PubMed Central

Mascarenhas, Alekhya; Moore, Julia E.; Tricco, Andrea C.; Hamid, Jemila; Daly, Caitlin; Bain, Julie; Jassemi, Sabrina; Kiran, Tara; Baxter, Nancy; Straus, Sharon E.

2017-01-01

Background: The gender gap in academia is long-standing. Failure to ensure that our academic faculty reflect our student pool and national population deprives Canada of talent. We explored the gender distribution and perceptions of the gender gap at a Canadian university-affiliated, hospital-based research institute. Methods: We completed a sequential mixed-methods study. In phase 1, we used the research institute's registry of scientists (1999-2014) and estimated overall prevalence of a gender gap and the gap with respect to job description (e.g., associate v. full-time) and research discipline. In phase 2, we conducted qualitative interviews to provide context for phase 1 data. Both purposive and snowball sampling were used for recruitment. Results: The institute included 30.1% (n = 62) women and 69.9% (n = 144) men, indicating a 39.8% gender gap. Most full-time scientists (60.3%, n = 70) were clinicians; there were 54.2% more male than female clinician scientists. Ninety-five percent of basic scientists were men, indicating a 90.5% gap. Seven key themes emerged from 21 interviews, including perceived impact of the gender gap, factors perceived to influence the gap, recruitment trends, presence of institutional support, mentorship and suggestions to mitigate the gap. Several factors were postulated to contribute to the gender gap, including unconscious bias in hiring. Interpretation: A substantial gender gap exists within this research institute. Participants identified strategies to address this gap, such as establishing transparent search processes, providing opportunities for informal networking and mentorship of female scientists and establishing institutional support for work-life balance. PMID:28401131

Perceptions and experiences of a gender gap at a Canadian research institute and potential strategies to mitigate this gap: a sequential mixed-methods study.

PubMed

Mascarenhas, Alekhya; Moore, Julia E; Tricco, Andrea C; Hamid, Jemila; Daly, Caitlin; Bain, Julie; Jassemi, Sabrina; Kiran, Tara; Baxter, Nancy; Straus, Sharon E

2017-01-01

The gender gap in academia is long-standing. Failure to ensure that our academic faculty reflect our student pool and national population deprives Canada of talent. We explored the gender distribution and perceptions of the gender gap at a Canadian university-affiliated, hospital-based research institute. We completed a sequential mixed-methods study. In phase 1, we used the research institute's registry of scientists (1999-2014) and estimated overall prevalence of a gender gap and the gap with respect to job description (e.g., associate v. full-time) and research discipline. In phase 2, we conducted qualitative interviews to provide context for phase 1 data. Both purposive and snowball sampling were used for recruitment. The institute included 30.1% ( n = 62) women and 69.9% ( n = 144) men, indicating a 39.8% gender gap. Most full-time scientists (60.3%, n = 70) were clinicians; there were 54.2% more male than female clinician scientists. Ninety-five percent of basic scientists were men, indicating a 90.5% gap. Seven key themes emerged from 21 interviews, including perceived impact of the gender gap, factors perceived to influence the gap, recruitment trends, presence of institutional support, mentorship and suggestions to mitigate the gap. Several factors were postulated to contribute to the gender gap, including unconscious bias in hiring. A substantial gender gap exists within this research institute. Participants identified strategies to address this gap, such as establishing transparent search processes, providing opportunities for informal networking and mentorship of female scientists and establishing institutional support for work-life balance.

Biomarker Guided Therapy in Chronic Heart Failure

PubMed Central

Bektas, Sema

2015-01-01

This review article addresses the question of whether biomarker-guided therapy is ready for clinical implementation in chronic heart failure. The most well-known biomarkers in heart failure are natriuretic peptides, namely B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP. They are well-established in the diagnostic process of acute heart failure and prediction of disease prognosis. They may also be helpful in screening patients at risk of developing heart failure. Although studied by 11 small- to medium-scale trials resulting in several positive meta-analyses, it is less well-established whether natriuretic peptides are also helpful for guiding chronic heart failure therapy. This uncertainty is expressed by differences in European and American guideline recommendations. In addition to reviewing the evidence surrounding the use of natriuretic peptides to guide chronic heart failure therapy, this article gives an overview of the shortcomings of the trials, how the results may be interpreted and the future directions necessary to fill the current gaps in knowledge. Therapy guidance in chronic heart failure using other biomarkers has not been prospectively tested to date. Emerging biomarkers, such as galectin-3 and soluble ST2, might be useful in this regard, as suggested by several post-hoc analyses. PMID:28785440

An energy-efficient failure detector for vehicular cloud computing.

PubMed

Liu, Jiaxi; Wu, Zhibo; Dong, Jian; Wu, Jin; Wen, Dongxin

2018-01-01

Failure detectors are one of the fundamental components for maintaining the high availability of vehicular cloud computing. In vehicular cloud computing, lots of RSUs are deployed along the road to improve the connectivity. Many of them are equipped with solar battery due to the unavailability or excess expense of wired electrical power. So it is important to reduce the battery consumption of RSU. However, the existing failure detection algorithms are not designed to save battery consumption RSU. To solve this problem, a new energy-efficient failure detector 2E-FD has been proposed specifically for vehicular cloud computing. 2E-FD does not only provide acceptable failure detection service, but also saves the battery consumption of RSU. Through the comparative experiments, the results show that our failure detector has better performance in terms of speed, accuracy and battery consumption.

An energy-efficient failure detector for vehicular cloud computing

PubMed Central

Liu, Jiaxi; Wu, Zhibo; Wu, Jin; Wen, Dongxin

2018-01-01

Failure detectors are one of the fundamental components for maintaining the high availability of vehicular cloud computing. In vehicular cloud computing, lots of RSUs are deployed along the road to improve the connectivity. Many of them are equipped with solar battery due to the unavailability or excess expense of wired electrical power. So it is important to reduce the battery consumption of RSU. However, the existing failure detection algorithms are not designed to save battery consumption RSU. To solve this problem, a new energy-efficient failure detector 2E-FD has been proposed specifically for vehicular cloud computing. 2E-FD does not only provide acceptable failure detection service, but also saves the battery consumption of RSU. Through the comparative experiments, the results show that our failure detector has better performance in terms of speed, accuracy and battery consumption. PMID:29352282

FINAL REPORT ON GDE GAP CELL

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Herman, D.; Summers, W.; Danko, E.

2009-09-28

A project has been undertaken to develop an electrochemical cell and support equipment for evaluation of a gas diffusion electrode-based, narrow-electrolyte-gap anode for SO{sub 2} oxidation in the hydrogen production cycle of the hybrid sulfur (HyS) process. The project supported the HyS development program at the Savannah River National Lab (SRNL). The benefits of using a gas diffusion electrode in conjunction with the narrow anolyte gap are being determined through electrochemical polarization testing under a variety conditions, and by comparison to results produced by SRNL and others using anode technologies that have no anolyte gap. These test results indicate thatmore » the NGA cell has low resistance suitable for use in the HyS electrolyzer, exhibits good efficiency at high current densities compared to the direct feed HyS electrolyzer, and indicates robust performance in extended testing over 65 hours. Seepage episodes were mostly caused by port clogging, which can be mitigated in future designs through minor modifications to the hardware. Significant reductions in sulfur crossover have not yet been demonstrated in the NGA configuration compared to in-house direct feed testing, but corroborative sulfur layer analysis is as yet incomplete. Further testing in a single-pass anolyte configuration is recommended for complete evaluation of steady-state electrochemical efficiency and SO{sub 2} crossover in the narrow gap configuration.« less

Open Screw Placement in a 1.5 mm LCP Over a Fracture Gap Decreases Fatigue Life

PubMed Central

Alwen, Sarah G. J.; Kapatkin, Amy S.; Garcia, Tanya C.; Milgram, Joshua; Stover, Susan M.

2018-01-01

Objective To investigate the influence of plate and screw hole position on the stability of simulated radial fractures stabilized with a 1.5 mm condylar locking compression plate (LCP). Study Design In vitro mechanical testing of paired cadaveric limbs. Sample Population Paired radii (n = 7) stabilized with a 1.5 mm condylar LCP with an open screw hole positioned either proximal to (PG), or over (OG), a simulated small fracture gap. Methods Constructs were cycled in axial compression at a simulated trot load until failure or a maximum of 200,000 cycles. Specimens that sustained 200,000 cycles without failure were then loaded in axial compression in a single cycle to failure. Construct cyclic axial stiffness and gap strain, fatigue life, and residual strength were evaluated and compared between constructs using analysis of variance. Results Of pairs that had a failure during cyclic loading, OG constructs survived fewer cycles (54,700 ± 60,600) than PG (116,800 ± 49,300). OG constructs had significantly lower initial stiffness throughout cyclic loading and higher gap strain range within the first 1,000 cycles than PG constructs. Residual strength variables were not significantly different between constructs, however yield loads occurred at loads only marginally higher than approximated trot loads. Fatigue life decreased with increasing body weight. Conclusion Fracture fixation stability is compromised by an open screw hole directly over a fracture gap compared to the open screw hole being buttressed by bone in the model studied. The 1.5 mm condylar LCP may be insufficient stabilization in dogs with appropriate radial geometry but high body weights. PMID:29876361

Steering without navigation equipment: the lamentable state of Australian health policy reform

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Background Commentary on health policy reform in Australia often commences with an unstated logical error: Australians' health is good, therefore the Australian Health System is good. This possibly explains the disconnect between the options discussed, the areas needing reform and the generally self-congratulatory tone of the discussion: a good system needs (relatively) minor improvement. Results This paper comments on some issues of particular concern to Australian health policy makers and some areas needing urgent reform. The two sets of issues do not overlap. It is suggested that there are two fundamental reasons for this. The first is the failure to develop governance structures which promote the identification and resolution of problems according to their importance. The second and related failure is the failure to equip the health services industry with satisfactory navigation equipment - independent research capacity, independent reporting and evaluation - on a scale commensurate with the needs of the country's largest industry. These two failures together deprive the health system - as a system - of the chief driver of progress in every successful industry in the 20th Century. Conclusion Concluding comment is made on the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC). This continued the tradition of largely evidence free argument and decision making. It failed to identify and properly analyse major system failures, the reasons for them and the form of governance which would maximise the likelihood of future error leaning. The NHHRC itself failed to error learn from past policy failures, a key lesson from which is that a major - and possibly the major - obstacle to reform, is government itself. The Commission virtually ignored the issue of governance. The endorsement of a monopolised system, driven by benevolent managers will miss the major lesson of history which is illustrated by Australia's own failures. PMID:19948044

The subsidiary gap as a means for improving ignition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gorton, W S

1920-01-01

This report was prepared at the Bureau of Standards for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Additional or subsidiary gaps have frequently been used in jump-spark ignition systems, in order to cause the resumption of sparking in fouled spark plugs. The series gap, to which the greater part of this report is devoted, is a subsidiary gap in the connection between the high tension terminal of the plug and that of the magneto or coil. A brief account is given of the use of this gap up to the present time and also of the statements concerning it which have gained some currency, most of which are shown to be erroneous. The simple theory of the action of the series gap is discussed and a detailed account given of the effect upon the sparking ability of the plug produced by changes in the values of the electrical resistance of the fouling and of the capacities in parallel with the plug and with the magneto or coil. This report presents the results of an investigation into the utility, action, and design of the auxiliary spark gap as a means for insuring freedom from spark plug failure due to fouling, and also to enable the restarting of fouled plugs.

Field-Induced-Gap Infrared Detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elliott, C. Thomas

1990-01-01

Semimetals become semiconductors under applied magnetic fields. New detectors require less cooling equipment because they operate at temperatures higher than liquid-helium temperatures required by extrinsic-semiconductor detectors. Magnetic fields for detectors provided by electromagnets based on recently-discovered high-transition-temperature superconducting materials. Detector material has to be semiconductor, in which photon absorbed by exciting electron/hole pair across gap Eg of forbidden energies between valence and conduction energy bands. Magnetic- and compositional-tuning effects combined to obtain two-absorber detector having narrow passband. By variation of applied magnetic field, passband swept through spectrum of interest.

Technology and the future of medical equipment maintenance.

PubMed

Wear, J O

1999-05-01

Maintenance of medical equipment has been changing rapidly in the past few years. It is changing more rapidly in developed countries, but changes are also occurring in developing countries. Some of the changes may permit improved maintenance on the higher technology equipment in developing countries, since they do not require onsite expertise. Technology has had an increasing impact on the development of medical equipment with the increased use of microprocessors and computers. With miniaturization from space technology and electronic chip design, powerful microprocessors and computers have been built into medical equipment. The improvement in manufacturing technology has increased the quality of parts and therefore the medical equipment. This has resulted in increased mean time between failures and reduced maintenance needs. This has made equipment more reliable in remote areas and developing countries. The built-in computers and advances in software design have brought about self-diagnostics in medical equipment. The technicians now have a strong tool to be used in maintenance. One problem in this area is getting access to the self-diagnostics. Some manufacturers will not readily provide this access to the owner of the equipment. Advances in telecommunications in conjunction with self-diagnostics make available remote diagnosis and repair. Since components can no longer be repaired, a remote repair technician can instruct an operator or an on-site repairman on board replacement. In case of software problems, the remote repair technician may perform the repairs over the telephone. It is possible for the equipment to be monitored remotely by modern without interfering with the operation of the equipment. These changes in technology require the training of biomedical engineering technicians (BMETs) to change. They must have training in computers and telecommunications. Some of this training can be done with telecommunications and computers.

Surveys for sensitivity to fibers and potential impacts from fiber induced failures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Butterfield, A. J.

1979-01-01

The surveys for sensitivities to fibers and potential impacts from fiber induced failures begins with a review of the survey work completed to date and then describes an impact study involving four industrial installations located in Virginia. The observations and results from both the surveys and the study provide guidelines for future efforts. The survey work was done with three broad objectives: (1) identify the pieces of potentially vulnerable equipment as candidates for test; (2) support the transfer function work by gaining an understanding of how fibers could get into a building; and (3) support the economic analysis by understanding what would happen if fibers precipitated a failure in an item of equipment.

Customizing Laboratory Information Systems: Closing the Functionality Gap.

PubMed

Gershkovich, Peter; Sinard, John H

2015-09-01

Highly customizable laboratory information systems help to address great variations in laboratory workflows, typical in Pathology. Often, however, built-in customization tools are not sufficient to add all of the desired functionality and improve systems interoperability. Emerging technologies and advances in medicine often create a void in functionality that we call a functionality gap. These gaps have distinct characteristics—a persuasive need to change the way a pathology group operates, the general availability of technology to address the missing functionality, the absence of this technology from your laboratory information system, and inability of built-in customization tools to address it. We emphasize the pervasive nature of these gaps, the role of pathology informatics in closing them, and suggest methods on how to achieve that. We found that a large number of the papers in the Journal of Pathology Informatics are concerned with these functionality gaps, and an even larger proportion of electronic posters and abstracts presented at the Pathology Informatics Summit conference each year deal directly with these unmet needs in pathology practice. A rapid, continuous, and sustainable approach to closing these gaps is critical for Pathology to provide the highest quality of care, adopt new technologies, and meet regulatory and financial challenges. The key element of successfully addressing functionality gaps is gap ownership—the ability to control the entire pathology information infrastructure with access to complementary systems and components. In addition, software developers with detailed domain expertise, equipped with right tools and methodology can effectively address these needs as they emerge.

Common-Cause Failure Treatment in Event Assessment: Basis for a Proposed New Model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dana Kelly; Song-Hua Shen; Gary DeMoss

2010-06-01

Event assessment is an application of probabilistic risk assessment in which observed equipment failures and outages are mapped into the risk model to obtain a numerical estimate of the event’s risk significance. In this paper, we focus on retrospective assessments to estimate the risk significance of degraded conditions such as equipment failure accompanied by a deficiency in a process such as maintenance practices. In modeling such events, the basic events in the risk model that are associated with observed failures and other off-normal situations are typically configured to be failed, while those associated with observed successes and unchallenged components aremore » assumed capable of failing, typically with their baseline probabilities. This is referred to as the failure memory approach to event assessment. The conditioning of common-cause failure probabilities for the common cause component group associated with the observed component failure is particularly important, as it is insufficient to simply leave these probabilities at their baseline values, and doing so may result in a significant underestimate of risk significance for the event. Past work in this area has focused on the mathematics of the adjustment. In this paper, we review the Basic Parameter Model for common-cause failure, which underlies most current risk modelling, discuss the limitations of this model with respect to event assessment, and introduce a proposed new framework for common-cause failure, which uses a Bayesian network to model underlying causes of failure, and which has the potential to overcome the limitations of the Basic Parameter Model with respect to event assessment.« less

Equipment Sustainment Data in Standard Army Management Information Systems: Needs, Gaps, and Opportunities

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

colleagues Lionel Galway and Louis Miller, who provided thoughtful reviews of this document. - xix - Glossary AEL Army Equipment Loss AEPS...quality ( Galway and Hanks, 1996) noted that a key to better execution of data policies may be ensuring that organizations that generate the data...understand how it will be used. More specifically, Galway and Hanks (1996:15) observed that the persistence of missing, invalid, and inaccurate data

Use of landsat ETM+ SLC-off segment-based gap-filled imagery for crop type mapping

USGS Publications Warehouse

Maxwell, S.K.; Craig, M.E.

2008-01-01

Failure of the Scan Line Corrector (SLC) on the Landsat ETM+ sensor has had a major impact on many applications that rely on continuous medium resolution imagery to meet their objectives. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cropland Data Layer (CDL) program uses Landsat imagery as the primary source of data to produce crop-specific maps for 20 states in the USA. A new method has been developed to fill the image gaps resulting from the SLC failure to support the needs of Landsat users who require coincident spectral data, such as for crop type mapping and monitoring. We tested the new gap-filled method for a CDL crop type mapping project in eastern Nebraska. Scan line gaps were simulated on two Landsat 5 images (spring and late summer 2003) and then gap-filled using landscape boundary models, or segment models, that were derived from 1992 and 2002 Landsat images (used in the gap-fill process). Various date combinations of original and gap-filled images were used to derive crop maps using a supervised classification process. Overall kappa values were slightly higher for crop maps derived from SLC-off gap-filled images compared to crop maps derived from the original imagery (0.3–1.3% higher). Although the age of the segment model used to derive the SLC-off gap-filled product did not negatively impact the overall agreement, differences in individual cover type agreement did increase (−0.8%–1.6% using the 2002 segment model to −5.0–5.1% using the 1992 segment model). Classification agreement also decreased for most of the classes as the size of the segment used in the gap-fill process increased.

33 CFR 164.82 - Maintenance, failure, and reporting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... safety, such as propulsion machinery, steering gear, radar, gyrocompass, echo depth-sounding or other... repair within 96 hours an inoperative marine radar required by § 164.72(a) shall so notify the Captain of... navigational-safety equipment, including but not limited to failure of one of two installed radars, where each...

33 CFR 164.82 - Maintenance, failure, and reporting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... safety, such as propulsion machinery, steering gear, radar, gyrocompass, echo depth-sounding or other... repair within 96 hours an inoperative marine radar required by § 164.72(a) shall so notify the Captain of... navigational-safety equipment, including but not limited to failure of one of two installed radars, where each...

33 CFR 164.82 - Maintenance, failure, and reporting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... safety, such as propulsion machinery, steering gear, radar, gyrocompass, echo depth-sounding or other... repair within 96 hours an inoperative marine radar required by § 164.72(a) shall so notify the Captain of... navigational-safety equipment, including but not limited to failure of one of two installed radars, where each...

33 CFR 164.82 - Maintenance, failure, and reporting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... safety, such as propulsion machinery, steering gear, radar, gyrocompass, echo depth-sounding or other... repair within 96 hours an inoperative marine radar required by § 164.72(a) shall so notify the Captain of... navigational-safety equipment, including but not limited to failure of one of two installed radars, where each...

Identification of Parts Failures. FOS: Fundamentals of Service.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

John Deere Co., Moline, IL.

This parts failures identification manual is one of a series of power mechanics texts and visual aids covering theory of operation, diagnosis of trouble problems, and repair of automotive and off-the-road construction and agricultural equipment. Materials provide basic information with many illustrations for use by vocational students and teachers…

Nursing home report card and performance gap.

PubMed

Kim, Ae-Sook

2016-01-01

With the aging of our society, concerns about the quality of nursing homes have been increasing. The Nursing Home Compare (NHC) report card is believed to reduce information asymmetry between the facility and potential residents and, consequently, improve nursing home quality. However, there is limited evidence about how nursing homes use this publicly disseminated performance information. The aim of this study was to analyze the performance gap between nursing home administrators' self-assessment and the NHC report card performance ratings and explore the factors contributing to the gap. All 515 Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes in Indiana were surveyed between August and December 2013. The response rate was approximately 45%. The survey data were compared with the NHC data to identify the gap. Ordered logistic regression analysis was conducted. Despite voluntary participation, a reasonably high response rate, and anonymity, this study found that 62% of respondents either under- or overrated their facilities' performance, with the majority overrating their performance. The following factors were associated with a smaller performance gap: nonprofit or government-owned status, higher staffing levels, a higher percentage of hours worked by registered nurses, and a higher market concentration. Longer work experience and greater county occupancy rates were associated with a larger performance gap. The significant gap implies that administrators either do not regularly review the NHC report card or do not concur with the NHC ratings. To reduce the gap and thereby improve performance, it is necessary to stabilize the administrators' position so that administrators know how they stand in the market and are consequently better equipped to successfully respond to the market. Facilities may also need to provide regular training on current technologies and facilitate use of the NHC report card, targeting administrators who are old and have many years of work

Innovative approach to improving the care of acute decompensated heart failure.

PubMed

Merhaut, Shawn; Trupp, Robin

2011-06-01

The care of patients presenting to hospitals with acute decompensated heart failure remains a challenging and multifaceted dilemma across the continuum of care. The combination of improved survival rates for and rising incidence of heart failure has created both a clinical and economic burden for hospitals of epidemic proportion. With limited clinical resources, hospitals are expected to provide efficient, comprehensive, and quality care to a population laden with multiple comorbidities and social constraints. Further, this care must be provided in the setting of a volatile economic climate heavily affected by prolonged length of stays, high readmission rates, and changing healthcare policy. Although problems continue to mount, solutions remain scarce. In an effort to help hospitals identify gaps in care, control costs, streamline processes, and ultimately improve outcomes for these patients, the Society of Chest Pain Centers launched Heart Failure Accreditation in July 2009. Rooted in process improvement science, the Society's approach includes utilization of a tiered Accreditation tool to identify best practices, facilitate an internal gap analysis, and generate opportunities for improvement. In contrast to other organizations that require compliance with predetermined specifications, the Society's Heart Failure Accreditation focuses on the overall process including the continuum of care from emergency medical services, emergency department care, inpatient management, transition from hospital to home, and community outreach. As partners in the process, the Society strives to build relationships with facilities and share best practices with the ultimate goal to improve outcomes for heart failure patients.

30 CFR 77.701 - Grounding metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... AND SURFACE WORK AREAS OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Grounding § 77.701 Grounding metallic frames, casings... equipment that can become “alive” through failure of insulation or by contact with energized parts shall be...

Gender gaps and gendered action in a first-year physics laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Day, James; Stang, Jared B.; Holmes, N. G.; Kumar, Dhaneesh; Bonn, D. A.

2016-12-01

[This paper is part of the Focused Collection on Gender in Physics.] It is established that male students outperform female students on almost all commonly used physics concept inventories. However, there is significant variation in the factors that contribute to the gap, as well as the direction in which they influence it. It is presently unknown if such a gender gap exists on the relatively new Concise Data Processing Assessment (CDPA) and, therefore, whether gendered actions in the teaching lab might influence—or be influenced by—the gender gap. To begin to get an estimates of the gap, its predictors, and its correlates, we have measured performance on the CDPA at the pretest and post-test level. We have also made observations of how students in mixed-gender partnerships divide their time in the lab. We find a gender gap on the CDPA that persists from pre- to post-test and that is as big as, if not bigger than, similar reported gaps. We also observe compelling differences in how students divide their time in the lab. In mixed-gender pairs, male students tend to monopolize the computer, female and male students tend to share the equipment equally, and female students tend to spend more time on other activities that are not the equipment or computer, such as writing or speaking to peers. We also find no correlation between computer use, when students are presumably working with their data, and performance on the CDPA post-test. In parallel to our analysis, we scrutinize some of the more commonly used approaches to similar data. We argue in favor of more explicitly checking the assumptions associated with the statistical methods that are used and improved reporting and contextualization of effect sizes. Ultimately, we claim no evidence that female students are less capable of learning than their male peers, and we suggest caution when using gain measures to draw conclusions about differences in science classroom performance across gender.

Porting Initiation and Failure into Linked CHEETAH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Souers, Clark; Vitello, Peter

2007-06-01

Linked CHEETAH is a thermo-chemical code coupled to a 2-D hydrocode. Initially, a quadratic-pressure dependent kinetic rate was used, which worked well in modeling prompt detonation of explosives of large size, but does not work on other aspects of explosive behavior. The variable-pressure Tarantula reactive flow rate model was developed with JWL++ in order to also describe failure and initiation, and we have moved this model into Linked CHEETAH. The model works by turning on only above a pressure threshold, where a slow turn-on creates initiation. At a higher pressure, the rate suddenly leaps to a large value over a small pressure range. A slowly failing cylinder will see a rapidly declining rate, which pushes it quickly into failure. At a high pressure, the detonation rate is constant. A sequential validation procedure is used, which includes metal-confined cylinders, rate-sticks, corner-turning, initiation and threshold, gap tests and air gaps. The size (diameter) effect is central to the calibration. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by the University of California Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under contract No. W-7405-Eng-48.

Forewarning of Failure in Complex Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Abercrombie, Robert K; Hively, Lee M; Prowell, Stacy J

2011-01-01

As the critical infrastructures of the United States have become more and more dependent on public and private networks, the potential for widespread national impact resulting from disruption or failure of these networks has also increased. Securing the nation s critical infrastructures requires protecting not only their physical systems but, just as important, the cyber portions of the systems on which they rely. A failure is inclusive of random events, design flaws, and instabilities caused by cyber (and/or physical) attack. One such domain is failure in critical equipment. A second is aging bridges. We discuss the workings of such amore » system in the context of the necessary sensors, command and control and data collection as well as the cyber security efforts that would support this system. Their application and the implications of this computing architecture are also discussed, with respect to our nation s aging infrastructure.« less

Air Gaps, Size Effect, and Corner-Turning in Ambient LX-17

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Souers, P C; Hernandez, A; Cabacungen, C

2007-05-30

Various ambient measurements are presented for LX-17. The size (diameter) effect has been measured with copper and Lucite confinement, where the failure radii are 4.0 and 6.5 mm, respectively. The air well corner-turn has been measured with an LX-07 booster, and the dead-zone results are comparable to the previous TATB-boosted work. Four double cylinders have been fired, and dead zones appear in all cases. The steel-backed samples are faster than the Lucite-backed samples by 0.6 {micro}s. Bare LX-07 and LX-17 of 12.7 mm-radius were fired with air gaps. Long acceptor regions were used to truly determine if detonation occurred ormore » not. The LX-07 crossed at 10 mm with a slight time delay. Steady state LX-17 crossed at 3.5 mm gap but failed to cross at 4.0 mm. LX-17 with a 12.7 mm run after the booster crossed a 1.5 mm gap but failed to cross 2.5 mm. Timing delays were measured where the detonation crossed the gaps. The Tarantula model is introduced as embedded in the Linked Cheetah V4.0 reactive flow code at 4 zones/mm. Tarantula has four pressure regions: off, initiation, failure and detonation. A report card of 25 tests run with the same settings on LX-17 is shown, possibly the most extensive simultaneous calibration yet tried with an explosive. The physical basis of some of the input parameters is considered.« less

Sulfide stress cracking failures of 12Cr and 17-4PH stainless steel wellhead equipment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thompson, R.M.; Kohut, G.B.; Canfield, D.R.

1991-03-01

In this paper sulfide stress cracking case histories of 12 Cr and 17-4PH stainless steel tubing hangers are presented along with the results of NACE Standard TM0177 laboratory tests performed on the failed material. Even though the hangers both met NACE Standard MR0175-88 hardness requirements, failure still occurred. These failures demonstrate the limitations of these alloys in high H{sub 2}S service even when MR0175 requirements are met. The need for better usage guidelines is discussed.

Effects of Medicare Part D coverage gap on medication and medical treatment among elderly beneficiaries with depression.

PubMed

Zhang, Yuting; Baik, Seo Hyon; Zhou, Lei; Reynolds, Charles F; Lave, Judith R

2012-07-01

Maintenance antidepressant pharmacotherapy in late life prevents recurrent episodes of major depression. The coverage gap in Medicare Part D could increase the likelihood of reducing appropriate use of antidepressants, thereby exposing older adults to an increased risk for relapse of depressive episodes. To determine whether (1) beneficiaries reduce antidepressant use in the gap, (2) the reduction in antidepressant use is similar to the reduction in heart failure medications and antidiabetics, (3) the provision of generic coverage reduces the risk of reduction of medication use, and (4) medical spending increases in the gap. Observational before-after study with a comparison group design. A 5% random sample of US Medicare beneficiaries 65 years or older with depression (n = 65,223) enrolled in stand-alone Part D plans in 2007. Antidepressant pharmacotherapy, physician, outpatient, and inpatient spending. Being in the gap was associated with comparable reductions in the use of antidepressants, heart failure medications, and antidiabetics. Relative to the comparison group (those who had full coverage in the gap because of Medicare coverage or low-income subsidies), the no-coverage group reduced their monthly antidepressant prescriptions by 12.1% (95% CI, 9.9%-14.3%) from the pregap level, whereas they reduced use of heart failure drugs and antidiabetics by 12.9% and 13.4%, respectively. Those with generic drug coverage in the gap reduced their monthly antidepressant prescriptions by 6.9% (95% CI, 4.8%-9.1%); this decrease was entirely attributable to the reduction in the use of brand-name antidepressants. Medicare spending on medical care did not increase for either group relative to the comparison group. The Medicare Part D coverage gap was associated with modest reductions in the use of antidepressants. Those with generic coverage reduced their use of brand-name drugs and did not switch from brand-name to generic drugs. The reduction in antidepressant use was not

Modification to area navigation equipment for instrument two-segment approaches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

A two-segment aircraft landing approach concept utilizing an area random navigation (RNAV) system to execute the two-segment approach and eliminate the requirements for co-located distance measuring equipment (DME) was investigated. This concept permits non-precision approaches to be made to runways not equipped with ILS systems, down to appropriate minima. A hardware and software retrofit kit for the concept was designed, built, and tested on a DC-8-61 aircraft for flight evaluation. A two-segment approach profile and piloting procedure for that aircraft that will provide adequate safety margin under adverse weather, in the presence of system failures, and with the occurrence of an abused approach, was also developed. The two-segment approach procedure and equipment was demonstrated to line pilots under conditions which are representative of those encountered in air carrier service.

Transitional care programs improve outcomes for heart failure patients: an integrative review.

PubMed

Stamp, Kelly D; Machado, Monique A; Allen, Nancy A

2014-01-01

Individuals with heart failure are frequently rehospitalized owing to a lack of knowledge concerning how to perform their self-care and when to inform their healthcare provider of worsening symptoms. Because there are an overwhelming number of hospital readmissions for individuals with heart failure, efforts are underway to discover how they can be supported and educated during their hospitalization and subsequently followed by a nurse after discharge for continued education and support. The purpose of this integrative review was to critically examine the interventions, quality of life, and readmission rates of individuals with heart failure who are enrolled in a transitional care program. The second aim was to examine the cost-effectiveness of nurse-led transitional care programs. The results of this integrative review (n = 20) showed that transitional care programs for individuals with heart failure can increase a patient's quality of life and decrease the number of readmissions and the overall cost of care. The types of interventions that were most successful in decreasing readmissions used home visits alone or in combination with telephone calls. There is a need for nurse researchers to address gaps in transitional care for heart failure patients by performing studies with larger randomized clinical trials and measuring outcomes such as readmissions at regular intervals over the study period. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will change reimbursement for heart failure readmissions and presents opportunities for healthcare teams to build transitional care programs for patients with conditions such as heart failure. This integrative review can be used to determine effective intervention strategies for transitional care programs and highlights the gaps in research. Healthcare teams that use these programs within their practice may increase continuity of care and quality of life and decrease readmissions and healthcare costs for individuals with heart

Evidence-based analysis of field testing of medical electrical equipment.

PubMed

Taktak, A G; Brown, M C

2006-01-01

Field testing of medical electrical equipment remains a topic of debate amongst biomedical engineers. A questionnaire was circulated among members of the main professional body for Medical Engineering Departments in the UK and Ireland and in the Medical Physics and Engineering Mailbase Server. The aim of the questionnaire was to establish consensus on common practice on the frequency and type of safety tests carried out in the field and common sources of hazards and risk management. Twenty-six replies were received in total. A clear majority of 54% of the respondents reported that they carried out safety tests on hospital-based medical equipment on a yearly basis. For other equipment, regular tests were carried out by 58% on loan equipment and by 69% on medical electrical systems. Laboratory equipment on the other hand were not tested in 42% of the cases. Domiciliary and research equipment were only tested in 11% and 15% of the cases respectively. A clear majority of 93% said that they label equipment after tests, 34% said that they always record the actual values (as opposed to pass or fail) and 54% said they carry out functional test as part of the safety test. Although 61% of failures were attributed to the mains lead, only 50% of the respondents said that they had a management system in place for detachable mains leads.

Quality of care and investment in property, plant, and equipment in hospitals.

PubMed

Levitt, S W

1994-02-01

This study explores the relationship between quality of care and investment in property, plant, and equipment (PPE) in hospitals. Hospitals' investment in PPE was derived from audited financial statements for the fiscal years 1984-1989. Peer Review Organization (PRO) Generic Quality Screen (GQS) reviews and confirmed failures between April 1989 and September 1990 were obtained from the Massachusetts PRO. Weighted least squares regression models used PRO GQS confirmed failure rates as the dependent variable, and investment in PPE as the key explanatory variable. Investment in PPE was standardized, summed by the hospital over the six years, and divided by the hospital's average number of beds in that period. The number of PRO reviewed cases with one or more GQS confirmed failures was divided by the total number of cases reviewed to create confirmed failure rates. Investment in PPE in Massachusetts hospitals is correlated with GQS confirmed failure rates. A financial variable, investment in PPE, predicts certain dimensions of quality of care in hospitals.

Dissociative detachment and memory impairment: reversible amnesia or encoding failure?

PubMed

Allen, J G; Console, D A; Lewis, L

1999-01-01

The authors propose that clinicians endeavor to differentiate between reversible and irreversible memory failures in patients with dissociative symptoms who report "memory gaps" and "lost time." The classic dissociative disorders, such as dissociative amnesia and dissociative identity disorder, entail reversible memory failures associated with encoding experience in altered states. The authors propose another realm of memory failures associated with severe dissociative detachment that may preclude the level of encoding of ongoing experience needed to support durable autobiographical memories. They describe how dissociative detachment may be intertwined with neurobiological factors that impair memory, and they spell out the significance of distinguishing reversible and irreversible memory impairment for diagnosis, patient education, psychotherapy, and research.

Strategic Communication Science and Technology Plan: Current Activities, Capability Gaps and Areas for Further Investment

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION  SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY  PLAN  C A   URRENT ACTIVITIES, CAPABILITY  GAPS   ND  AREAS  FOR FURTHER INVESTMENT  April 2009... Gaps and Areas for Further Investment 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK...Empowering the interagency process 17 3. Equipping for an information- based future 18 4. Facilitating audience activities 19 AREAS

The function and failure of sensory predictions.

PubMed

Bansal, Sonia; Ford, Judith M; Spering, Miriam

2018-04-23

Humans and other primates are equipped with neural mechanisms that allow them to automatically make predictions about future events, facilitating processing of expected sensations and actions. Prediction-driven control and monitoring of perceptual and motor acts are vital to normal cognitive functioning. This review provides an overview of corollary discharge mechanisms involved in predictions across sensory modalities and discusses consequences of predictive coding for cognition and behavior. Converging evidence now links impairments in corollary discharge mechanisms to neuropsychiatric symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. We review studies supporting a prediction-failure hypothesis of perceptual and cognitive disturbances. We also outline neural correlates underlying prediction function and failure, highlighting similarities across the visual, auditory, and somatosensory systems. In linking basic psychophysical and psychophysiological evidence of visual, auditory, and somatosensory prediction failures to neuropsychiatric symptoms, our review furthers our understanding of disease mechanisms. © 2018 New York Academy of Sciences.

Fatigue Failure in Extra-Articular Proximal Tibia Fractures: Locking Intramedullary Nail Versus Double Locking Plates-A Biomechanical Study.

PubMed

Kandemir, Utku; Herfat, Safa; Herzog, Mary; Viscogliosi, Paul; Pekmezci, Murat

2017-02-01

The goal of this study is to compare the fatigue strength of a locking intramedullary nail (LN) construct with a double locking plate (DLP) construct in comminuted proximal extra-articular tibia fractures. Eight pairs of fresh frozen cadaveric tibias with low bone mineral density [age: 80 ± 7 (SD) years, T-score: -2.3 ± 1.2] were used. One tibia from each pair was fixed with LN, whereas the contralateral side was fixed with DLP for complex extra-articular multifragmentary metaphyseal fractures (simulating OTA 41-A3.3). Specimens were cyclically loaded under compression simulating single-leg stance by staircase method out to 260,000 cycles. Every 2500 cycles, localized gap displacements were measured with a 3D motion tracking system, and x-ray images of the proximal tibia were acquired. To allow for mechanical settling, initial metrics were calculated at 2500 cycles. The 2 groups were compared regarding initial construct stiffness, initial medial and lateral gap displacements, stiffness at 30,000 cycles, medial and lateral gap displacements at 30,000 cycles, failure load, number of cycles to failure, and failure mode. Failure metrics were reported for initial and catastrophic failures. DLP constructs exhibited higher initial stiffness and stiffness at 30,000 cycles compared with LN constructs (P < 0.03). There were no significant differences between groups for loads at failure or cycles to failure. For the fixation of extra-articular proximal tibia fractures, a LN provides a similar fatigue performance to double locked plates. The locked nail could be safely used for fixation of proximal tibia fractures with the advantage of limited extramedullary soft tissue damage.

Application of a truncated normal failure distribution in reliability testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Groves, C., Jr.

1968-01-01

Statistical truncated normal distribution function is applied as a time-to-failure distribution function in equipment reliability estimations. Age-dependent characteristics of the truncated function provide a basis for formulating a system of high-reliability testing that effectively merges statistical, engineering, and cost considerations.

Closing the research to practice gap in children's mental health: structures, solutions, and strategies.

PubMed

Jensen, Peter S; Foster, Michael

2010-03-01

Failure to apply research on effective interventions spans all areas of medicine, including children's mental health services. This article examines the policy, structural, and economic problems in which this gap originates. We identify four steps to close this gap. First, the field should develop scientific measures of the research-practice gap. Second, payors should link incentives to outcomes-based performance measures. Third, providers and others should develop improved understanding and application of effective dissemination and business models. Fourth, efforts to link EBP to clinical practice should span patient/consumers, providers, practices, plans, and purchasers. The paper discusses each of these in turn and relates them to fundamental problems of service delivery.

A Gait Generation for an Unlocked Joint Failure of the Quadruped Robot with Balance Weight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, C. H.; Min, B. C.; Kim, D. H.

Assurance of a stability margin for a stabilized gait is the most important issue for the quadruped robot. Although various studies for dynamic stability of the quadruped robot have been studied, problems in which one of the legs has an unlocked joint failure haven’t been relatively studied so far. In this paper, assurance of stability margin for the unlocked joint failure of the quadruped robot is suggested by using gait stabilization and a control method of the moment of inertia. Then, efficiency of BW (balance weight) will be experimentally verified by comparing the two types of robot; one is equipped with the BW, the other is not equipped with BW.

Persistence with biologic therapies in the Medicare coverage gap.

PubMed

Tamariz, Leonardo; Uribe, Claudia L; Luo, Jiacong; Hanna, John W; Ball, Daniel E; Krohn, Kelly; Meadows, Eric S

2011-11-01

To describe persistence with teriparatide and other biologic therapies in Medicare Part D plans with and without a coverage gap. Retrospective (2006) cohort study of Medicare Part D prescription drug plan beneficiaries from a large benefits company. Two plans with a coverage gap (defined as "basic") were combined and compared with a single plan with coverage for generic and branded medications (defined as "complete"). Patients taking alendronate (nonbiologic comparator), teriparatide, etanercept, adalimumab, interferon β-1a, or glatiramer acetate were selected for the study. For patients with complete coverage, equivalent financial thresholds were used to define the "gap."The definition of discontinuation was failure to fill the index prescription after reaching the gap. For alendronate, 27% of 133,260 patients had enrolled in the complete plan. Patients taking biologic therapies had more commonly enrolled in complete plans: teriparatide (66% of 6221), etanercept (58% of 1469), adalimumab (52% of 824), interferon β-1a (60% of 438), and glatiramer acetate (53% of 393). For patients taking either alendronate or teriparatide, discontinuation rates were higher in the basic, versus complete, plan (adjusted odds ratios, 2.02 and 3.56, respectively). Discontinuation did not significantly vary by plan type for etanercept, adalimumab, interferon β-1a, or glatiramer acetate. For patients who reached the coverage gap, discontinuation was more likely for patients taking osteoporosis (OP) medication. Not having a coverage gap was associated with improved persistence with OP treatment.

49 CFR 234.7 - Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure..., STATE ACTION PLANS, AND EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS Reports and Plans § 234.7 Accidents involving... railroad equipment and an automobile, bus, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, farm vehicle, or pedestrian at a...

49 CFR 234.7 - Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure..., STATE ACTION PLANS, AND EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS Reports and Plans § 234.7 Accidents involving... railroad equipment and an automobile, bus, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, farm vehicle, or pedestrian at a...

49 CFR 234.7 - Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Accidents involving grade crossing signal failure..., STATE ACTION PLANS, AND EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS Reports and Plans § 234.7 Accidents involving... railroad equipment and an automobile, bus, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, farm vehicle, or pedestrian at a...

14 CFR 135.165 - Communication and navigation equipment: Extended over-water or IFR operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment: Extended over-water or IFR operations. 135.165 Section 135.165 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION... frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. FAA-2002-14002, 72 FR 31684, June 7, 2007] ...

14 CFR 135.165 - Communication and navigation equipment: Extended over-water or IFR operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment: Extended over-water or IFR operations. 135.165 Section 135.165 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION... frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. FAA-2002-14002, 72 FR 31684, June 7, 2007] ...

14 CFR 135.165 - Communication and navigation equipment: Extended over-water or IFR operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment: Extended over-water or IFR operations. 135.165 Section 135.165 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION... frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. FAA-2002-14002, 72 FR 31684, June 7, 2007] ...

14 CFR 135.165 - Communication and navigation equipment: Extended over-water or IFR operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment: Extended over-water or IFR operations. 135.165 Section 135.165 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION... frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. FAA-2002-14002, 72 FR 31684, June 7, 2007] ...

14 CFR 135.165 - Communication and navigation equipment: Extended over-water or IFR operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment: Extended over-water or IFR operations. 135.165 Section 135.165 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION... frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. FAA-2002-14002, 72 FR 31684, June 7, 2007] ...

30 CFR 285.813 - When do I have to report removing equipment from service?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... from service? 285.813 Section 285.813 Mineral Resources MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE... Environmental and Safety Management, Inspections, and Facility Assessments for Activities Conducted Under SAPs, COPs and GAPs Maintenance and Shutdowns § 285.813 When do I have to report removing equipment from...

Heart Failure in Sub-Saharan Africa

PubMed Central

Bloomfield, Gerald S; Barasa, Felix A; Doll, Jacob A; Velazquez, Eric J

2013-01-01

The heart failure syndrome has been recognized as a significant contributor to cardiovascular disease burden in sub-Saharan African for many decades. Seminal knowledge regarding heart failure in the region came from case reports and case series of the early 20th century which identified infectious, nutritional and idiopathic causes as the most common. With increasing urbanization, changes in lifestyle habits, and ageing of the population, the spectrum of causes of HF has also expanded resulting in a significant burden of both communicable and non-communicable etiologies. Heart failure in sub-Saharan Africa is notable for the range of etiologies that concurrently exist as well as the healthcare environment marked by limited resources, weak national healthcare systems and a paucity of national level data on disease trends. With the recent publication of the first and largest multinational prospective registry of acute heart failure in sub-Saharan Africa, it is timely to review the state of knowledge to date and describe the myriad forms of heart failure in the region. This review discusses several forms of heart failure that are common in sub-Saharan Africa (e.g., rheumatic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, pericardial disease, various dilated cardiomyopathies, HIV cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, endomyocardial fibrosis, ischemic heart disease, cor pulmonale) and presents each form with regard to epidemiology, natural history, clinical characteristics, diagnostic considerations and therapies. Areas and approaches to fill the remaining gaps in knowledge are also offered herein highlighting the need for research that is driven by regional disease burden and needs. PMID:23597299

Spatio-temporal regulation of connexin43 phosphorylation and gap junction dynamics.

PubMed

Solan, Joell L; Lampe, Paul D

2018-01-01

Gap junctions are specialized membrane domains containing tens to thousands of intercellular channels. These channels permit exchange of small molecules (<1000Da) including ions, amino acids, nucleotides, metabolites and secondary messengers (e.g., calcium, glucose, cAMP, cGMP, IP 3 ) between cells. The common reductionist view of these structures is that they are composed entirely of integral membrane proteins encoded by the 21 member connexin human gene family. However, it is clear that the normal physiological function of this structure requires interaction and regulation by a variety of proteins, especially kinases. Phosphorylation is capable of directly modulating connexin channel function but the most dramatic effects on gap junction activity occur via the organization of the gap junction structures themselves. This is a direct result of the short half-life of the primary gap junction protein, connexin, which requires them to be constantly assembled, remodeled and turned over. The biological consequences of this remodeling are well illustrated during cardiac ischemia, a process wherein gap junctions are disassembled and remodeled resulting in arrhythmia and ultimately heart failure. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Gap Junction Proteins edited by Jean Claude Herve. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Study of Electromigration-Induced Failures on Cu Pillar Bumps Joined to OSP and ENEPIG Substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsiao, Yu-Hsiang; Lin, Kwang-Lung; Lee, Chiu-Wen; Shao, Yu-Hsiu; Lai, Yi-Shao

2012-12-01

This work studies electromigration (EM)-induced failures on Cu pillar bumps joined to organic solderability preservative (OSP) on Cu substrates (OSP-bumps) and electroless Ni(P)/electroless Pd/immersion Au (ENEPIG) under bump metallurgy (UBM) on Cu substrates (ENEPIG-bumps). Two failure modes (Cu pad consumption and gap formation) were found with OSP-bumps, but only one failure mode (gap formation) was found with ENEPIG-bumps. The main interfacial compound layer was the Cu6Sn5 compound, which suffered significant EM-induced dissolution, eventually resulting in severe Cu pad consumption at the cathode side for OSP-bumps. A (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 layer with strong resistance to EM-induced dissolution exists at the joint interface when a nickel barrier layer is incorporated at the cathode side (Ni or ENEPIG), and these imbalanced atomic fluxes result in the voids and gap formation. OSP-bumps showed better lifetime results than ENEPIG-bumps for several current stressing conditions. The inverse Cu atomic flux ( J Cu,chem) which diffuses from the Cu pad to cathode side retards the formation of voids. The driving force for J Cu,chem comes from the difference in chemical potential between the (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 and Cu6Sn5 phases.

Success and failure in narrowing the disability employment gap: comparing levels and trends across Europe 2002-2014.

PubMed

Geiger, Ben Baumberg; van der Wel, Kjetil A; Tøge, Anne Grete

2017-12-02

International comparisons of the disability employment gap are an important driver of policy change. However, previous comparisons have used the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), despite known comparability issues. We present new results from the higher-quality European Social Survey (ESS), compare these to EU-SILC and the EU Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS), and also examine trends in the disability employment gap in Europe over the financial crisis for the first time. For cross-sectional comparisons of 25 countries, we use micro-data for ESS and EU-SILC for 2012 and compare these to published EU-LFS 2011 estimates. For trend analyses, we use seven biannual waves of ESS (2002-2014) with a total sample size of 182,195, and annual waves of EU-SILC (2004-2014) with a total sample size of 2,412,791. (i) Cross-sectional: countries that have smaller disability employment gaps in one survey tend to have smaller gaps in the other surveys. Nevertheless, there are some countries that perform badly on the lower-quality surveys but better in the higher-quality ESS. (ii) Trends: the disability employment gap appears to have declined in ESS by 4.9%, while no trend is observed in EU-SILC - but this has come alongside a rise in disability in ESS. There is a need for investment in disability measures that are more comparable over time/space. Nevertheless, it is clear to policymakers there are some countries that do consistently well across surveys and measures (Switzerland), and others that do badly (Hungary).

Heart failure disease management: implementation and outcomes.

PubMed

Whellan, David J

2005-01-01

Millions of dollars are being spent to identify new therapies to improve mortality and morbidity for the growing epidemic of patients sustaining heart failure. However, in clinical practice, these therapies are currently underused. To bridge the gap between proven therapies and clinical practice, the medical community has turned to disease management. Heart failure disease management interventions vary from vital-sign monitoring to multidisciplinary approaches involving a pharmacist, nutritionist, nurse practitioner, and physician. This review attempts to categorize these inventions based on location. We compared the published results from randomized, controlled trials of the following types of heart failure disease management interventions: inpatient, clinic visits, home visits, and telephone follow up. Although research shows an improvement in the quality of care and a decrease in hospitalizations for patients sustaining heart failure, the economic impact of disease management is still unclear. The current reimbursement structure is a disincentive to providers wanting to offer disease management services to patients sustaining heart failure. Additionally, the cost of providing disease management services such as additional clinical visits, patient education materials, or additional personnel time has not been well documented. Most heart failure disease management studies do confirm the concept that providing increased access to healthcare providers for an at-risk group of patients sustaining heart failure does improve outcomes. However, a large-scale randomized, controlled clinical trial based in the United States is needed to prove that this concept can be implemented beyond a single center and to determine how much it will cost patients, providers, healthcare systems, and payers.

Risky Business: condom failures as experienced by female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya.

PubMed

Bradburn, Caitlyn K; Wanje, George; Pfeiffer, James; Jaoko, Walter; Kurth, Ann E; McClelland, R Scott

2017-03-01

Limited research exists about condom failure as experienced by female sex workers. We conducted a qualitative study to examine how female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya contextualise and explain the occurrence of condom failure. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty female sex workers to ascertain their condom failure experiences. We qualitatively analysed interview transcripts to determine how the women mitigate risk and cope with condom failure. Condom failure was not uncommon, but women mitigated the risk by learning about correct use, and by supplying and applying condoms themselves. Many female sex workers felt that men intentionally rupture condoms. Few women were aware of or felt empowered to prevent HIV, STIs, and pregnancy after condom failure. Interventions to equip female sex workers with strategies for minimising the risk of HIV, STIs, and pregnancy in the aftermath of a condom failure should be investigated.

Bearing failure detection of micro wind turbine via power spectral density analysis for stator current signals spectrum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmood, Faleh H.; Kadhim, Hussein T.; Resen, Ali K.; Shaban, Auday H.

2018-05-01

The failure such as air gap weirdness, rubbing, and scrapping between stator and rotor generator arise unavoidably and may cause extremely terrible results for a wind turbine. Therefore, we should pay more attention to detect and identify its cause-bearing failure in wind turbine to improve the operational reliability. The current paper tends to use of power spectral density analysis method of detecting internal race and external race bearing failure in micro wind turbine by estimation stator current signal of the generator. The failure detector method shows that it is well suited and effective for bearing failure detection.

Quality of care and investment in property, plant, and equipment in hospitals.

PubMed Central

Levitt, S W

1994-01-01

OBJECTIVE. This study explores the relationship between quality of care and investment in property, plant, and equipment (PPE) in hospitals. DATA SOURCES. Hospitals' investment in PPE was derived from audited financial statements for the fiscal years 1984-1989. Peer Review Organization (PRO) Generic Quality Screen (GQS) reviews and confirmed failures between April 1989 and September 1990 were obtained from the Massachusetts PRO. STUDY DESIGN. Weighted least squares regression models used PRO GQS confirmed failure rates as the dependent variable, and investment in PPE as the key explanatory variable. DATA EXTRACTION. Investment in PPE was standardized, summed by the hospital over the six years, and divided by the hospital's average number of beds in that period. The number of PRO reviewed cases with one or more GQS confirmed failures was divided by the total number of cases reviewed to create confirmed failure rates. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. Investment in PPE in Massachusetts hospitals is correlated with GQS confirmed failure rates. CONCLUSIONS. A financial variable, investment in PPE, predicts certain dimensions of quality of care in hospitals. PMID:8113054

Health behaviour procrastination: a novel reasoned route towards self-regulatory failure.

PubMed

Kroese, Floor M; de Ridder, Denise T D

2016-09-01

In this paper, we highlight a novel perspective on health behaviour failure by considering reasoned procrastination as a contributing factor. We argue that the failure to enact intentions does not necessarily occur because people are victims of their strong impulses, but that people may also knowingly and wilfully postpone their intended actions. While procrastination is acknowledged as a factor associated with intention-behaviour gaps in other domains, it has surprisingly received only very little attention in the domain of health behaviour. We argue that it is particularly important to recognise the waxing and waning of intentions: rather than being truly abandoned, intentions may sometimes be temporarily put aside. This paper describes how the procrastination account relates to the intention-behaviour gap as we know it, what is known about procrastination and health behaviour, and what theoretical and practical implications can be derived from the addition of this novel perspective to our understanding of health behaviour change.

Comprehensive in-hospital monitoring in acute heart failure: applications for clinical practice and future directions for research. A statement from the Acute Heart Failure Committee of the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

PubMed

Harjola, Veli-Pekka; Parissis, John; Brunner-La Rocca, Hans-Peter; Čelutkienė, Jelena; Chioncel, Ovidiu; Collins, Sean P; De Backer, Daniel; Filippatos, Gerasimos S; Gayat, Etienne; Hill, Loreena; Lainscak, Mitja; Lassus, Johan; Masip, Josep; Mebazaa, Alexandre; Miró, Òscar; Mortara, Andrea; Mueller, Christian; Mullens, Wilfried; Nieminen, Markku S; Rudiger, Alain; Ruschitzka, Frank; Seferovic, Petar M; Sionis, Alessandro; Vieillard-Baron, Antoine; Weinstein, Jean Marc; de Boer, Rudolf A; Crespo Leiro, Maria G; Piepoli, Massimo; Riley, Jillian P

2018-04-30

This paper provides a practical clinical application of guideline recommendations relating to the inpatient monitoring of patients with acute heart failure, through the evaluation of various clinical, biomarker, imaging, invasive and non-invasive approaches. Comprehensive inpatient monitoring is crucial to the optimal management of acute heart failure patients. The European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines provide recommendations for the inpatient monitoring of acute heart failure, but the level of evidence underpinning most recommendations is limited. Many tools are available for the in-hospital monitoring of patients with acute heart failure, and each plays a role at various points throughout the patient's treatment course, including the emergency department, intensive care or coronary care unit, and the general ward. Clinical judgment is the preeminent factor guiding application of inpatient monitoring tools, as the various techniques have different patient population targets. When applied appropriately, these techniques enable decision making. However, there is limited evidence demonstrating that implementation of these tools improves patient outcome. Research priorities are identified to address these gaps in evidence. Future research initiatives should aim to identify the optimal in-hospital monitoring strategies that decrease morbidity and prolong survival in patients with acute heart failure. © 2018 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2018 European Society of Cardiology.

Electricity Breakdown Management for Sarawak Energy: Use of Condition-Based Equipment for Detection of Defective Insulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, J. K.; Abas, N.

2017-07-01

Managing electricity breakdown is vital since an outage causes economic losses for customers and the utility companies. However, electricity breakdown is unavoidable due to some internal or external factors beyond our control. Electricity breakdown on overhead lines tend occur more frequently because it is prone to external disturbances such as animal, overgrown vegetation and defective pole top accessories. In Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), majority of the network are composed of overhead lines and hence, is more prone to failure. Conventional method of equipment inspection and fault finding are not effective to quickly identify the root cause of failure. SEB has engaged the use of corona discharge camera as condition-based monitoring equipment to carry out condition based inspection on the line in order to diagnose the condition of the lines prior to failure. Experimental testing has been carried out to determine the correlation between the corona discharge count and the level of defect on line insulator. The result shall be tabulated and will be used as reference for future scanning and diagnostic on any defect on the lines.

SU-F-T-247: Collision Risks in a Modern Radiation Oncology Department: An Efficient Approach to Failure Modes and Effects Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schubert, L; Westerly, D; Vinogradskiy, Y

Purpose: Collisions between treatment equipment and patients are potentially catastrophic. Modern technology now commonly involves automated remote motion during imaging and treatment, yet a systematic assessment to identify and mitigate collision risks has yet to be performed. Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is a method of risk assessment that has been increasingly used in healthcare, yet can be resource intensive. This work presents an efficient approach to FMEA to identify collision risks and implement practical interventions within a modern radiation therapy department. Methods: Potential collisions (e.g. failure modes) were assessed for all treatment and simulation rooms by teams consistingmore » of physicists, therapists, and radiation oncologists. Failure modes were grouped into classes according to similar characteristics. A single group meeting was held to identify implementable interventions for the highest priority classes of failure modes. Results: A total of 60 unique failure modes were identified by 6 different teams of physicists, therapists, and radiation oncologists. Failure modes were grouped into four main classes: specific patient setups, automated equipment motion, manual equipment motion, and actions in QA or service mode. Two of these classes, unusual patient setups and automated machine motion, were identified as being high priority in terms severity of consequence and addressability by interventions. The two highest risk classes consisted of 33 failure modes (55% of the total). In a single one hour group meeting, 6 interventions were identified. Those interventions addressed 100% of the high risk classes of failure modes (55% of all failure modes identified). Conclusion: A class-based approach to FMEA was developed to efficiently identify collision risks and implement interventions in a modern radiation oncology department. Failure modes and interventions will be listed, and a comparison of this approach against traditional FMEA

Apollo 16 Mission: Oxidizer Deservicing Tank Failure. No. 1; Anomaly Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An explosive failure of a ground support equipment decontamination unit tank occurred during the postflight deactivation of the oxidizer (nitrogen tetroxide) portion of the Apollo 16 command module reaction control system. A discussion of the significant aspects of the incident and conclusions are included.

Locked plating of comminuted distal femur fractures: does unlocked screw placement affect stability and failure?

PubMed

Cui, Shari; Bledsoe, J G; Israel, Heidi; Watson, J T; Cannada, Lisa K

2014-02-01

Locked plates provide greater stiffness, possibly at the expense of fracture healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate construct stiffness of distal femur plates as a function of unlocked screw position in cadaveric distal femur fractures. Osteoporotic cadaveric femurs were used. Four diaphyseal bridge plate constructs were created using 13-hole distal femur locking plates, all with identical condylar fixation. Constructs included all locked (AL), all unlocked (AUL), proximal unlocked (PUL), and distally unlocked (DUL) groups. Constructs underwent cyclic axial loading with increasing force per interval. Data were gathered on axial stiffness, torsional stiffness, maximum torque required for 5-degree external rotation, and axial force to failure. Twenty-one specimens were divided into AL, AUL, PUL, and DUL groups. Axial stiffness was not significantly different between the constructs. AL and PUL demonstrated greater torsional stiffness, maximum torque, and force to failure than AUL and AL showed greater final torsional stiffness and failure force than DUL (P < 0.05). AL and PUL had similar axial, torsion, and failure measures, as did AUL and DUL constructs. All but 2 specimens fractured before medial gap closure during failure tests. Drop-offs on load-displacement curves confirmed all failures. Only the screw nearest the gap had significant effect on torsional and failure stiffness but not axial stiffness. Construct mechanics depended on the type of screw placed in this position. This screw nearest the fracture dictates working length stiffness when the working length itself is constant and in turn determines overall construct stiffness in osteoporotic bone.

Failure analysis on false call probe pins of microprocessor test equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, L. W.; Ong, N. R.; Mohamad, I. S. B.; Alcain, J. B.; Retnasamy, V.

2017-09-01

A study has been conducted to investigate failure analysis on probe pins of test modules for microprocessor. The `health condition' of the probe pin is determined by the resistance value. A test module of 5V power supplied from Arduino UNO with "Four-wire Ohm measurement" method is implemented in this study to measure the resistance of the probe pins of a microprocessor. The probe pins from a scrapped computer motherboard is used as the test sample in this study. The functionality of the test module was validated with the pre-measurement experiment via VEE Pro software. Lastly, the experimental work have demonstrated that the implemented test module have the capability to identify the probe pin's `health condition' based on the measured resistance value.

Recommendations on pre-hospital & early hospital management of acute heart failure: a consensus paper from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, the European Society of Emergency Medicine and the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine.

PubMed

Mebazaa, Alexandre; Yilmaz, M Birhan; Levy, Phillip; Ponikowski, Piotr; Peacock, W Frank; Laribi, Said; Ristic, Arsen D; Lambrinou, Ekaterini; Masip, Josep; Riley, Jillian P; McDonagh, Theresa; Mueller, Christian; deFilippi, Christopher; Harjola, Veli-Pekka; Thiele, Holger; Piepoli, Massimo F; Metra, Marco; Maggioni, Aldo; McMurray, John; Dickstein, Kenneth; Damman, Kevin; Seferovic, Petar M; Ruschitzka, Frank; Leite-Moreira, Adelino F; Bellou, Abdelouahab; Anker, Stefan D; Filippatos, Gerasimos

2015-06-01

Acute heart failure is a fatal syndrome. Emergency physicians, cardiologists, intensivists, nurses and other health care providers have to cooperate to provide optimal benefit. However, many treatment decisions are opinion-based and few are evidenced-based. This consensus paper provides guidance to practicing physicians and nurses to manage acute heart failure in the pre-hospital and hospital setting. Criteria of hospitalization and of discharge are described. Gaps in knowledge and perspectives in the management of acute heart failure are also detailed. This consensus paper on acute heart failure might help enable contiguous practice. © 2015 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2015 European Society of Cardiology.

Skylab communications carrier 16536G and filter bypass adapter assembly 12535G. [development of communications equipment for use with Skylab spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

Communications equipment for use with the Skylab project is examined to show compliance with contract requirements. The items of equipment considered are: (1) communications carrier assemblies, (2) filter bypass adapter assemblies, and (3) sub-assemblies, parts, and repairs. Additional information is provided concerning contract requirements, test requirements, and failure investigation actions.

Management of Heart Failure in Advancing CKD: Core Curriculum 2018.

PubMed

House, Andrew A

2018-02-23

Heart failure and chronic kidney disease have increasing incidence and prevalence owing in part to the aging population and increasing rates of hypertension, diabetes, and other cardiovascular and kidney disease risk factors. The presence of one condition also has a strong influence on the other, leading to greater risks for hospitalization, morbidity, and death, as well as very high health care costs. Despite the frequent coexistence of heart failure and chronic kidney disease, many of the pivotal randomized trials that guide the management of heart failure have excluded patients with more advanced stages of chronic kidney disease. In this Core Curriculum article, management of a challenging, yet not unusual, case of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in a patient with stage 4 chronic kidney disease provides an opportunity to review the relevant literature and highlight gaps in our knowledge. Copyright © 2018 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

New horizons in the implementation and research of comprehensive geriatric assessment: knowing, doing and the 'know-do' gap.

PubMed

Gladman, John R F; Conroy, Simon Paul; Ranhoff, Anette Hylen; Gordon, Adam Lee

2016-03-01

In this paper, we outline the relationship between the need to put existing applied health research knowledge into practice (the 'know-do gap') and the need to improve the evidence base (the 'know gap') with respect to the healthcare process used for older people with frailty known as comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). We explore the reasons for the know-do gap and the principles of how these barriers to implementation might be overcome. We explore how these principles should affect the conduct of applied health research to close the know gap. We propose that impaired flow of knowledge is an important contributory factor in the failure to implement evidence-based practice in CGA; this could be addressed through specific knowledge mobilisation techniques. We describe that implementation failures are also produced by an inadequate evidence base that requires the co-production of research, addressing not only effectiveness but also the feasibility and acceptability of new services, the educational needs of practitioners, the organisational requirements of services, and the contribution made by policy. Only by tackling these issues in concert and appropriate proportion, will the know and know-do gaps for CGA be closed. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Canopy gap replacement failure in a Pennsylvania forest preserve subject to extreme deer herbivory

Treesearch

Brian S. Pedersen; Angela M. Wallis

2003-01-01

While research has demonstrated the adverse effects of deer herbivory on forest regeneration in forests managed for timber production, less study has been devoted to the long term effects of deer on the dynamics of forests set aside as natural areas. At sufficiently high population densities, deer could interrupt the typical cycle of canopy gap formation and...

Demographic disequilibrium caused by canopy gap expansion and recruitment failure triggers forest cover loss

Treesearch

Martin Barrette; Louis Bélanger; Louis De Grandpré; Alejandro A. Royo

2017-01-01

In the absence of large-scale stand replacing disturbances, boreal forests can remain in the old-growth stage over time because of a dynamic equilibrium between small-scale mortality and regeneration processes. Although this gap paradigm has been a cornerstone of forest dynamics theory and practice for decades, evidence suggests that it could be disrupted, threatening...

Enabling fast charging - A battery technology gap assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Shabbir; Bloom, Ira; Jansen, Andrew N.; Tanim, Tanvir; Dufek, Eric J.; Pesaran, Ahmad; Burnham, Andrew; Carlson, Richard B.; Dias, Fernando; Hardy, Keith; Keyser, Matthew; Kreuzer, Cory; Markel, Anthony; Meintz, Andrew; Michelbacher, Christopher; Mohanpurkar, Manish; Nelson, Paul A.; Robertson, David C.; Scoffield, Don; Shirk, Matthew; Stephens, Thomas; Vijayagopal, Ram; Zhang, Jiucai

2017-11-01

The battery technology literature is reviewed, with an emphasis on key elements that limit extreme fast charging. Key gaps in existing elements of the technology are presented as well as developmental needs. Among these needs are advanced models and methods to detect and prevent lithium plating; new positive-electrode materials which are less prone to stress-induced failure; better electrode designs to accommodate very rapid diffusion in and out of the electrode; measure temperature distributions during fast charge to enable/validate models; and develop thermal management and pack designs to accommodate the higher operating voltage.

Primary health care nurses and heart failure education: a survey.

PubMed

Gilmour, Jean; Strong, Alison; Chan, Helen; Hanna, Sue; Huntington, Annette

2014-09-01

Heart failure education contributes to effective self-management. New Zealand primary health care nurses' contributions to heart failure educational activities have not been researched. To identify primary health care nurses' heart failure educational activities in terms of duration and frequency, topics covered, resources used and strategies for Maori and other ethnic groups. A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 961 primary health care nurses using a postal questionnaire. Of 630 respondents (65.5%), 369 worked with patients with heart failure and 339 provided heart failure education. One-third of respondents providing education (33.3%; n=113) delivered sessions from 16 to 60 minutes. The main educational topics covered were on the physical aspects of heart failure; prognosis, spiritual/existential and psychosocial topics were least often addressed. One-quarter of the group providing education did not use educational resources (n=86). The majority of respondents reported they would find more education about heart failure useful or very useful (80.2%; n=292), along with nurse practitioner support (64.7%; n=229). Maori-centred services and resources and involving whanau/family in education were the most frequently mentioned Maori-specific education strategies. A consistent approach to heart failure education is important to address knowledge gaps in a timely manner. This study affirms the contribution made by primary health care nurses in chronic illness education and highlights the need for further development and investment in ongoing heart failure nursing education and specialist nursing support.

Uninterruptible power systems and other power protection equipment for electronic health care systems.

PubMed

Massey, J K

1979-01-01

The increasing usage of electronic instruments in health care systems invariably leads to some level of dependence on them. In order to maximize the utility of these tools a high degree of reliability is essential. Many of the failures being experienced in systems where electronic instruments are being utilized may be attributed not to a failure of the instrument itself but rather to the poor quality of the commercial power to which they are attached. In order to reduce the effects of power fluctuations and outages, some type of power protection equipment must be installed between the commercial power system and the instrument. This article discusses the types of "electronic noise" present on commercial power lines and the various types of equipment used to reduce its effect on electronic instrumentation. In general, the Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) is shown to be the most effective power buffering element for a health care environment. General terminology associated with specifications of a UPS is defined in the article and attached appendix.

Exploring the gender gap in the conceptual survey of electricity and magnetism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henderson, Rachel; Stewart, Gay; Stewart, John; Michaluk, Lynnette; Traxler, Adrienne

2017-12-01

The "gender gap" on various physics conceptual evaluations has been extensively studied. Men's average pretest scores on the Force Concept Inventory and Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation are 13% higher than women's, and post-test scores are on average 12% higher than women's. This study analyzed the gender differences within the Conceptual Survey of Electricity and Magnetism (CSEM) in which the gender gap has been less well studied and is less consistent. In the current study, data collected from 1407 students (77% men, 23% women) in a calculus-based physics course over ten semesters showed that male students outperformed female students on the CSEM pretest (5%) and post-test (6%). Separate analyses were conducted for qualitative and quantitative problems on lab quizzes and course exams and showed that male students outperformed female students by 3% on qualitative quiz and exam problems. Male and female students performed equally on the quantitative course exam problems. The gender gaps within CSEM post-test scores, qualitative lab quiz scores, and qualitative exam scores were insignificant for students with a CSEM pretest score of 25% or less but grew as pretest scores increased. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that a latent variable, called Conceptual Physics Performance/Non-Quantitative (CPP/NonQnt), orthogonal to quantitative test performance was useful in explaining the differences observed in qualitative performance; this variable was most strongly related to CSEM post-test scores. The CPP/NonQnt of male students was 0.44 standard deviations higher than female students. The CSEM pretest measured CPP/NonQnt much less accurately for women (R2=4 % ) than for men (R2=17 % ). The failure to detect a gender gap for students scoring 25% or less on the pretest suggests that the CSEM instrument itself is not gender biased. The failure to find a performance difference in quantitative test performance while detecting a gap in qualitative performance

Stand-alone tsunami alarm equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katsumata, Akio; Hayashi, Yutaka; Miyaoka, Kazuki; Tsushima, Hiroaki; Baba, Toshitaka; Catalán, Patricio A.; Zelaya, Cecilia; Riquelme Vasquez, Felipe; Sanchez-Olavarria, Rodrigo; Barrientos, Sergio

2017-05-01

One of the quickest means of tsunami evacuation is transfer to higher ground soon after strong and long ground shaking. Ground shaking itself is a good initiator of the evacuation from disastrous tsunami. Longer period seismic waves are considered to be more correlated with the earthquake magnitude. We investigated the possible application of this to tsunami hazard alarm using single-site ground motion observation. Information from the mass media is sometimes unavailable due to power failure soon after a large earthquake. Even when an official alarm is available, multiple information sources of tsunami alert would help people become aware of the coming risk of a tsunami. Thus, a device that indicates risk of a tsunami without requiring other data would be helpful to those who should evacuate. Since the sensitivity of a low-cost MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) accelerometer is sufficient for this purpose, tsunami alarm equipment for home use may be easily realized. Amplitude of long-period (20 s cutoff) displacement was proposed as the threshold for the alarm based on empirical relationships among magnitude, tsunami height, hypocentral distance, and peak ground displacement of seismic waves. Application of this method to recent major earthquakes indicated that such equipment could effectively alert people to the possibility of tsunami.

Evaluating wood failure in plywood shear by optical image analysis

Treesearch

Charles W. McMillin

1984-01-01

This exploratory study evaulates the potential of using an automatic image analysis method to measure percent wood failure in plywood shear specimens. The results suggest that this method my be as accurate as the visual method in tracking long-term gluebond quality. With further refinement, the method could lead to automated equipment replacing the subjective visual...

Identifying Anomalous Behaviour in AIS Data: Loitering and Gaps in Transmission as Indicators of IUU Associated Behaviour.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ford, J.; Peel, D.; Wilcox, C.; Kroodsma, D.

2016-12-01

Identifying anomalous behaviour associated with Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing including supportive activities such as transshipment, is a key step to combating IUU fishing. We use spatial statistical models and Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to identify anomalous activity, specifically various indicators of loitering behaviours (for example, vessels travelling slower than expected, perhaps rendezvousing for transshipment), and gaps in AIS transmissions. Gaps occur for three basic reasons: saturation of the system in locations with high vessel density; poor quality transmissions due to equipment on the vessel or receiver; and intentional disabling of AIS transmitters. Resolving which of these mechanisms is generating gaps in transmissions from a given vessel is a critical task in using AIS to monitor vessels. Moreover, separating saturation and equipment issues from intentional disabling is a useful task in risk identification of IUU associated behaviour. Using this information on loitering behaviour and gaps in transmission, we identify and rank vessels which appear to be acting anomalously, with a focus on identifying potential IUU related activities. This information, combined with other sources of data, could help support enforcement agencies to implement international strategies such as the Port State Measures Agreement. A global list of such vessels and historical evidence of anomalous behaviour, would increase local powers of protection and provide one more step toward transparency within global fisheries.

Digital mobile telephones and interference of ophthalmic equipment.

PubMed

Ang, G S; Lian, P; Ng, W S; Whyte, I; Ong, J M

2007-01-01

To assess the effect of mobile telephone electromagnetic interference on electronic ophthalmic equipment. Prospective audit with mobile telephones placed at distances of 3 m, 1 m, and 30 cm from, and in contact with, electronic ophthalmic equipment. Any interruption or cessation of the function of the ophthalmic device was assessed with the mobile telephones in standby, and in dialling or receiving modes. Any alterations of displayed digital figures or numbers were also assessed. A total of 23 electronic ophthalmic devices in two hospital ophthalmology outpatient departments were evaluated. All six mobile telephones used, and 22 (95.7%) of the 23 ophthalmic equipment evaluated had the Conformité Européene (CE) mark. No device showed any interruption or cessation of function. There were no alterations of displayed digital figures or numbers. The only effect of any kind was found with four instruments (1 non-CE marked), where there was temporary flickering on the screen, and only occurred when the mobile telephones were dialling or receiving at a distance of 30 cm or less from the instruments. This study shows that among the electronic ophthalmic devices tested, none suffered failure or interruption of function, from mobile telephone interference. Although not comprehensive for all ophthalmic equipment, the results question the need for a complete ban of mobile telephones in ophthalmic departments. It highlights the need for a controlled, objectively measured study of the clinically relevant effects of mobile telephones in the ophthalmology outpatient setting.

Automation of servicibility of radio-relay station equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uryev, A. G.; Mishkin, Y. I.; Itkis, G. Y.

1985-03-01

Automation of the serviceability of radio relay station equipment must ensure central gathering and primary processing of reliable instrument reading with subsequent display on the control panel, detection and recording of failures soon enough, advance enough warning based on analysis of detertioration symptoms, and correct remote measurement of equipment performance parameters. Such an inspection will minimize transmission losses while reducing nonproductive time and labor spent on documentation and measurement. A multichannel automated inspection system for this purpose should operate by a parallel rather than sequential procedure. Digital data processing is more expedient in this case than analog method and, therefore, analog to digital converters are required. Spepcial normal, above limit and below limit test signals provide means of self-inspection, to which must be added adequate interference immunization, stabilization, and standby power supply. Use of a microcomputer permits overall refinement and expansion of the inspection system while it minimizes though not completely eliminates dependence on subjective judgment.

B-1B Avionics/Automatic Test Equipment: Maintenance Queueing Analysis.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

analysis (which is logistics terminology for an avionics/ATE queueing analysis). To allow each vendor the opportunity to perform such an analysis...for system performance measures may be found for the queueing system in Figure 7. This is due to the preemptive blocking caused by ATE failures. The...D-R14l1i75 B-iB AVIONICS/AUTOMPTIC TEST EQUIPMENT: MRINTENRNCE 1/2 QUEUEING RNRLYSIS(U) RIP FORCE INST OF TECH HRIGHT-PRTTERSON RFB OH SCHOOL OF

Fatigue failure of pb-free electronic packages under random vibration loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saravanan, S.; Prabhu, S.; Muthukumar, R.; Gowtham Raj, S.; Arun Veerabagu, S.

2018-03-01

The electronic equipment are used in several fields like, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods where they are subjected to vibration loads leading to failure of solder joints used in these equipment. This paper presents a methodology to predict the fatigue life of Pb-free surface mounted BGA packages subjected to random vibrations. The dynamic characteristics of the PCB, such as the natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios were determined. Spectrum analysis was used to determine the stress response of the critical solder joint and the cumulative fatigue damage accumulated by the solder joint for a specific duration was determined.

14 CFR 121.351 - Communication and navigation equipment for extended over-water operations and for certain other...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... route being flown, and (3) The duration of the very high frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. 6258... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment for... Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) AIR CARRIERS AND...

14 CFR 121.351 - Communication and navigation equipment for extended over-water operations and for certain other...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... route being flown, and (3) The duration of the very high frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. 6258... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment for... Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) AIR CARRIERS AND...

14 CFR 121.351 - Communication and navigation equipment for extended over-water operations and for certain other...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... route being flown, and (3) The duration of the very high frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. 6258... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment for... Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) AIR CARRIERS AND...

14 CFR 121.351 - Communication and navigation equipment for extended over-water operations and for certain other...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... route being flown, and (3) The duration of the very high frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. 6258... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment for... Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) AIR CARRIERS AND...

14 CFR 121.351 - Communication and navigation equipment for extended over-water operations and for certain other...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... route being flown, and (3) The duration of the very high frequency communications gap. [Doc. No. 6258... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Communication and navigation equipment for... Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) AIR CARRIERS AND...

Enabling fast charging – A battery technology gap assessment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahmed, Shabbir; Bloom, Ira; Jansen, Andrew N.

The battery technology literature is reviewed, with an emphasis on key elements that limit extreme fast charging. Key gaps in existing elements of the technology are presented as well as developmental needs. Among these needs are advanced models and methods to detect and prevent lithium plating; new positive-electrode materials which are less prone to stress-induced failure; better electrode designs to accommodate very rapid diffusion in and out of the electrode; and thermal management and pack designs to accommodate the higher operating voltage.

Enabling fast charging – A battery technology gap assessment

DOE PAGES

Ahmed, Shabbir; Bloom, Ira; Jansen, Andrew N.; ...

2017-10-23

The battery technology literature is reviewed, with an emphasis on key elements that limit extreme fast charging. Key gaps in existing elements of the technology are presented as well as developmental needs. Among these needs are advanced models and methods to detect and prevent lithium plating; new positive-electrode materials which are less prone to stress-induced failure; better electrode designs to accommodate very rapid diffusion in and out of the electrode; and thermal management and pack designs to accommodate the higher operating voltage.

GapBlaster-A Graphical Gap Filler for Prokaryote Genomes.

PubMed

de Sá, Pablo H C G; Miranda, Fábio; Veras, Adonney; de Melo, Diego Magalhães; Soares, Siomar; Pinheiro, Kenny; Guimarães, Luis; Azevedo, Vasco; Silva, Artur; Ramos, Rommel T J

2016-01-01

The advent of NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) technologies has resulted in an exponential increase in the number of complete genomes available in biological databases. This advance has allowed the development of several computational tools enabling analyses of large amounts of data in each of the various steps, from processing and quality filtering to gap filling and manual curation. The tools developed for gap closure are very useful as they result in more complete genomes, which will influence downstream analyses of genomic plasticity and comparative genomics. However, the gap filling step remains a challenge for genome assembly, often requiring manual intervention. Here, we present GapBlaster, a graphical application to evaluate and close gaps. GapBlaster was developed via Java programming language. The software uses contigs obtained in the assembly of the genome to perform an alignment against a draft of the genome/scaffold, using BLAST or Mummer to close gaps. Then, all identified alignments of contigs that extend through the gaps in the draft sequence are presented to the user for further evaluation via the GapBlaster graphical interface. GapBlaster presents significant results compared to other similar software and has the advantage of offering a graphical interface for manual curation of the gaps. GapBlaster program, the user guide and the test datasets are freely available at https://sourceforge.net/projects/gapblaster2015/. It requires Sun JDK 8 and Blast or Mummer.

Quality of life improves in patients with chronic heart failure and Cheyne-Stokes respiration treated with adaptive servo-ventilation in a nurse-led heart failure clinic.

PubMed

Olseng, Margareth W; Olsen, Brita F; Hetland, Arild; Fagermoen, May S; Jacobsen, Morten

2017-05-01

The aim of this study was to investigate if quality of life improved in chronic heart failure patients with Cheyne-Stokes respiration treated with adaptive servo-ventilation in nurse-led heart failure clinic. Cheyne-Stokes respiration is associated with decreased quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure. Adaptive servo-ventilation is introduced to treat this sleep-disordered breathing. Randomised, controlled design. Fifty-one patients (ranging from 53-84 years), New York Heart Association III-IV and/or left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% and Cheyne-Stokes respiration were randomised to an intervention group who received adaptive servo-ventilation or a control group. Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire was used to assess quality of life at randomisation and after three months. Both groups were followed in the nurse-led heart failure clinic. Adaptive servo ventilation improved quality of life-scores both in a per protocol analysis and in an intention to treat analysis. Twenty-one patients dropped out of the study, nine in the control and 12 in the intervention group. Use of adaptive servo-ventilation improved quality of life in chronic heart failure patients with Cheyne-Stokes respiration. However, the drop-out rate was high. Chronic heart failure patients come regularly to the nurse-led heart failure clinic. The heart failure nurses' competency has to include knowledge of equipment to provide support and continuity of care to the patients. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Voltage and pace-capture mapping of linear ablation lesions overestimates chronic ablation gap size.

PubMed

O'Neill, Louisa; Harrison, James; Chubb, Henry; Whitaker, John; Mukherjee, Rahul K; Bloch, Lars Ølgaard; Andersen, Niels Peter; Dam, Høgni; Jensen, Henrik K; Niederer, Steven; Wright, Matthew; O'Neill, Mark; Williams, Steven E

2018-04-26

Conducting gaps in lesion sets are a major reason for failure of ablation procedures. Voltage mapping and pace-capture have been proposed for intra-procedural identification of gaps. We aimed to compare gap size measured acutely and chronically post-ablation to macroscopic gap size in a porcine model. Intercaval linear ablation was performed in eight Göttingen minipigs with a deliberate gap of ∼5 mm left in the ablation line. Gap size was measured by interpolating ablation contact force values between ablation tags and thresholding at a low force cut-off of 5 g. Bipolar voltage mapping and pace-capture mapping along the length of the line were performed immediately, and at 2 months, post-ablation. Animals were euthanized and gap sizes were measured macroscopically. Voltage thresholds to define scar were determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis as <0.56 mV (acutely) and <0.62 mV (chronically). Taking the macroscopic gap size as gold standard, error in gap measurements were determined for voltage, pace-capture, and ablation contact force maps. All modalities overestimated chronic gap size, by 1.4 ± 2.0 mm (ablation contact force map), 5.1 ± 3.4 mm (pace-capture), and 9.5 ± 3.8 mm (voltage mapping). Error on ablation contact force map gap measurements were significantly less than for voltage mapping (P = 0.003, Tukey's multiple comparisons test). Chronically, voltage mapping and pace-capture mapping overestimated macroscopic gap size by 11.9 ± 3.7 and 9.8 ± 3.5 mm, respectively. Bipolar voltage and pace-capture mapping overestimate the size of chronic gap formation in linear ablation lesions. The most accurate estimation of chronic gap size was achieved by analysis of catheter-myocardium contact force during ablation.

Detection thresholds for gaps, overlaps, and no-gap-no-overlaps.

PubMed

Heldner, Mattias

2011-07-01

Detection thresholds for gaps and overlaps, that is acoustic and perceived silences and stretches of overlapping speech in speaker changes, were determined. Subliminal gaps and overlaps were categorized as no-gap-no-overlaps. The established gap and overlap detection thresholds both corresponded to the duration of a long vowel, or about 120 ms. These detection thresholds are valuable for mapping the perceptual speaker change categories gaps, overlaps, and no-gap-no-overlaps into the acoustic domain. Furthermore, the detection thresholds allow generation and understanding of gaps, overlaps, and no-gap-no-overlaps in human-like spoken dialogue systems. © 2011 Acoustical Society of America

Enabling fast charging – A battery technology gap assessment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahmed, Shabbir; Bloom, Ira; Jansen, Andrew N.

The battery technology literature is reviewed, with an emphasis on key elements that limit extreme fast charging. Key gaps in existing elements of the technology are presented as well as developmental needs. Among these needs are advanced models and methods to detect and prevent lithium plating; new positive-electrode materials which are less prone to stress-induced failure; better electrode designs to accommodate very rapid diffusion in and out of the electrode; measure temperature distributions during fast charge to enable/validate models; and develop thermal management and pack designs to accommodate the higher operating voltage.

Enabling fast charging – A battery technology gap assessment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahmed, Shabbir; Bloom, Ira; Jansen, Andrew N.

The battery technology literature is reviewed, with an emphasis on key elements that limit extreme fast charging. Key gaps in existing elements of the technology are presented as well as developmental needs. Among these needs are advanced models and methods to detect and prevent lithium plating; new positive-electrode materials which are less prone to stress-induced failure; better electrode designs to accommodate very rapid diffusion in and out of the electrode; measure temperature distributions during fast charge to enable / validate models; and develop thermal management and pack designs to accommodate the higher operating voltage.

76 FR 40219 - Airworthiness Directives; Various Aircraft Equipped With Rotax Aircraft Engines 912 A Series Engine

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-08

... Airworthiness Directives; Various Aircraft Equipped With Rotax Aircraft Engines 912 A Series Engine AGENCY... installed on a limited number of engines. No defective washers have been shipped as spare parts. This... consequent ignition failure, possibly resulting in damage to the engine, in- flight engine shutdown and...

Improving the Reliability of Technological Subsystems Equipment for Steam Turbine Unit in Operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brodov, Yu. M.; Murmansky, B. E.; Aronson, R. T.

2017-11-01

The authors’ conception is presented of an integrated approach to reliability improving of the steam turbine unit (STU) state along with its implementation examples for the various STU technological subsystems. Basing on the statistical analysis of damage to turbine individual parts and components, on the development and application of modern methods and technologies of repair and on operational monitoring techniques, the critical components and elements of equipment are identified and priorities are proposed for improving the reliability of STU equipment in operation. The research results are presented of the analysis of malfunctions for various STU technological subsystems equipment operating as part of power units and at cross-linked thermal power plants and resulting in turbine unit shutdown (failure). Proposals are formulated and justified for adjustment of maintenance and repair for turbine components and parts, for condenser unit equipment, for regeneration subsystem and oil supply system that permit to increase the operational reliability, to reduce the cost of STU maintenance and repair and to optimize the timing and amount of repairs.

Device monitoring strategies in acute heart failure syndromes.

PubMed

Samara, Michael A; Tang, W H Wilson

2011-09-01

Acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) represent the most common discharge diagnoses in adults over age 65 and translate into dramatically increased heart failure-associated morbidity and mortality. Conventional approaches to the early detection of pulmonary and systemic congestion have been shown to be of limited sensitivity. Despite their proven efficacy, disease management and structured telephone support programs have failed to achieve widespread use in part due to their resource intensiveness and reliance upon motivated patients. While once thought to hold great promise, results from recent prospective studies on telemonitoring strategies have proven disappointing. Implantable devices with their capacity to monitor electrophysiologic and hemodynamic parameters over long periods of time and with minimal reliance on patient participation may provide solutions to some of these problems. Conventional electrophysiologic parameters and intrathoracic impedance data are currently available in the growing population of heart failure patients with equipped devices. A variety of implantable hemodynamic monitors are currently under investigation. How best to integrate these devices into a systematic approach to the management of patients before, during, and after AHFS is yet to be established.

A Gap in TW Hydrae's Disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohler, Susanna

2016-01-01

Located a mere 176 light-years away, TW Hydrae is an 8-million-year-old star surrounded by a nearly face-on disk of gas and dust. Recent observations have confirmed the existence of a gap within that disk a particularly intriguing find, since gaps can sometimes signal the presence of a planet.Gaps and PlanetsNumerical simulations have shown that newly-formed planets orbiting within dusty disks can clear the gas and dust out of their paths. This process results in pressure gradients that can be seen in the density structure of the disk, in the form of visible gaps, rings, or spirals.For this reason, finding a gap in a protoplanetary disk can be an exciting discovery. Previous observations of the disk around TW Hydrae had indicated that there might be a gap present, but they were limited in their resolution; despite TW Hydraes relative nearness, attempting to observe the dim light scattered off dust particles in a disk surrounding a distant, bright star is difficult!But a team led by Valerie Rapson (Rochester Institute of Technology, Dudley Observatory) recently set out to follow up on this discovery using a powerful tool: the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI).New ObservationsComparison of the actual image of TW Hydraes disk from GPI (right) to a simulated scattered-light image from a model of a ~0.2 Jupiter-mass planet orbiting in the disk at ~21 AU (left) in two different bands (top: J, bottom: K1).[Adapted from Rapson et al. 2015]GPI is an instrument on the Gemini South Telescope in Chile. Its near-infrared imagers, equipped with extreme adaptive optics, allowed it to probe the disk from ~80 AU all the way in to ~10 AU from the central star, with an unprecedented resolution of ~1.5 AU.These observations from GPI allowed Rapson and collaborators to unambiguously confirm the presence of a gap in TW Hydraes disk. The gap lies at a distance of ~23 AU from the central star (roughly the same distance as Uranus to the Sun), and its ~5 AU wide.Modeled PossibilitiesThere are a

Aquatic Equipment Information.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sova, Ruth

Equipment usually used in water exercise programs is designed for variety, intensity, and program necessity. This guide discusses aquatic equipment under the following headings: (1) equipment design; (2) equipment principles; (3) precautions and contraindications; (4) population contraindications; and (5) choosing equipment. Equipment is used…

Robustness of risk maps and survey networks to knowledge gaps about a new invasive pest

Treesearch

Denys Yemshanov; Frank H. Koch; Yakov Ben-Haim; William D. Smith

2010-01-01

In pest risk assessment it is frequently necessary to make management decisions regarding emerging threats under severe uncertainty. Although risk maps provide useful decision support for invasive alien species, they rarely address knowledge gaps associated with the underlying risk model or how they may change the risk estimates. Failure to recognize uncertainty leads...

Highway Maintenance Equipment Operator. Miscellaneous Equipment. Training Materials.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perky, Sandra Dutreau; And Others

This curriculum guide provides instructional materials to assist in training equipment operators in the safe and effective use of highway maintenance equipment. It includes six units of instruction covering the small, specialized equipment used in maintenance operations. Each unit of instruction consists of eight basic components: performance…

Medical Issues: Equipment

MedlinePlus

... support & care > living with sma > medical issues > equipment Equipment Individuals with SMA often require a range of ... you can submit an equipment pool request. Helpful Equipment The following is a list of equipment that ...

Relating the defect band gap and the density functional band gap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schultz, Peter; Edwards, Arthur

2014-03-01

Density functional theory (DFT) is an important tool to probe the physics of materials. The Kohn-Sham (KS) gap in DFT is typically (much) smaller than the observed band gap for materials in nature, the infamous ``band gap problem.'' Accurate prediction of defect energy levels is often claimed to be a casualty--the band gap defines the energy scale for defect levels. By applying rigorous control of boundary conditions in size-converged supercell calculations, however, we compute defect levels in Si and GaAs with accuracies of ~0.1 eV, across the full gap, unhampered by a band gap problem. Using GaAs as a theoretical laboratory, we show that the defect band gap--the span of computed defect levels--is insensitive to variations in the KS gap (with functional and pseudopotential), these KS gaps ranging from 0.1 to 1.1 eV. The defect gap matches the experimental 1.52 eV gap. The computed defect gaps for several other III-V, II-VI, I-VII, and other compounds also agree with the experimental gap, and show no correlation with the KS gap. Where, then, is the band gap problem? This talk presents these results, discusses why the defect gap and the KS gap are distinct, implying that current understanding of what the ``band gap problem'' means--and how to ``fix'' it--need to be rethought. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Company, for the U.S. Department of Energy's NNSA under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Robotic equipment malfunction during robotic prostatectomy: a multi-institutional study.

PubMed

Lavery, Hugh J; Thaly, Rahul; Albala, David; Ahlering, Thomas; Shalhav, Arieh; Lee, David; Fagin, Randy; Wiklund, Peter; Dasgupta, Prokar; Costello, Anthony J; Tewari, Ashutosh; Coughlin, Geoff; Patel, Vipul R

2008-09-01

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is growing in popularity as a treatment option for prostate cancer. As a new technology, little is known regarding the reliability of the da Vinci robotic system. Intraoperative robotic equipment malfunction may force the surgeon to convert the procedure to an open or pure laparoscopic procedure, or possibly even abort the procedure. We report the first large-scale, multi-institutional review of robotic equipment malfunction. A questionnaire was designed to evaluate the rate of perioperative robotic malfunction during RALP. High-volume, experienced surgeons were asked to complete this evaluation based on the analysis of their data. Questions included the overall number of RALPs performed, the number of equipment malfunctions, the number of procedures that had to be converted or aborted, and the part of the robotic system that malfunctioned. Eleven institutions participated in the study with a median surgeon volume of 700 cases, accounting for a total case volume of 8240. Critical failure occurred in 34 cases (0.4%) leading to the cancellation of 24 cases prior to the procedure, and the conversion to two laparoscopic and eight open procedures. The most common components of the robot to malfunction were the arms and optical system. Critical robotic equipment malfunction is extremely rare in institutions that perform high volumes of RALPs, with a nonrecoverable malfunction rate of only 0.4%.

Highway Maintenance Equipment Operator. Specialized Equipment. Training Materials.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perky, Sandra Dutreau; And Others

This curriculum guide provides instructional materials to assist in training equipment operators in the safe and effective use of highway maintenance equipment. It includes 18 units of instruction covering the large equipment used in maintenance operations. Each unit of instruction consists of eight basic components: performance objectives,…

Truck circuits diagnosis for railway lines equipped with an automatic block signalling system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spunei, E.; Piroi, I.; Muscai, C.; Răduca, E.; Piroi, F.

2018-01-01

This work presents a diagnosis method for detecting track circuits failures on a railway traffic line equipped with an Automatic Block Signalling installation. The diagnosis method uses the installation’s electrical schemas, based on which a series of diagnosis charts have been created. Further, the diagnosis charts were used to develop a software package, CDCBla, which substantially contributes to reducing the diagnosis time and human error during failure remedies. The proposed method can also be used as a training package for the maintenance staff. Since the diagnosis method here does not need signal or measurement inputs, using it does not necessitate additional IT knowledge and can be deployed on a mobile computing device (tablet, smart phone).

Application of failure mode and effect analysis in a radiology department.

PubMed

Thornton, Eavan; Brook, Olga R; Mendiratta-Lala, Mishal; Hallett, Donna T; Kruskal, Jonathan B

2011-01-01

With increasing deployment, complexity, and sophistication of equipment and related processes within the clinical imaging environment, system failures are more likely to occur. These failures may have varying effects on the patient, ranging from no harm to devastating harm. Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is a tool that permits the proactive identification of possible failures in complex processes and provides a basis for continuous improvement. This overview of the basic principles and methodology of FMEA provides an explanation of how FMEA can be applied to clinical operations in a radiology department to reduce, predict, or prevent errors. The six sequential steps in the FMEA process are explained, and clinical magnetic resonance imaging services are used as an example for which FMEA is particularly applicable. A modified version of traditional FMEA called Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis, which was introduced by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Patient Safety, is briefly reviewed. In conclusion, FMEA is an effective and reliable method to proactively examine complex processes in the radiology department. FMEA can be used to highlight the high-risk subprocesses and allows these to be targeted to minimize the future occurrence of failures, thus improving patient safety and streamlining the efficiency of the radiology department. RSNA, 2010

CONTINUOUS ABORT GAP CLEANING AT RHIC.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

DREES,A.FLILLER,R.III.FU,W.MICHNOFF,R.

2004-07-05

Since the RHIC Au-Au run in the year 2001 the 200 MHz cavity system was used at storage and a 28 MHz system during injection and acceleration. The rebucketing procedure potentially causes a higher debunching rate of heavy ion beams in addition to amplifying debunching due to other mechanisms. At the end of a four hour store, debunched beam can easily account for more than 50% of the total beam intensity. This effect is even stronger with the achieved high intensities of the RHIC Au-Au run in 2004. A beam abort at the presence of a lot of debunched beammore » bears the risk of magnet quenching and experimental detector damage due to uncontrolled beam losses. Thus it is desirable to avoid any accumulation of debunched beam from the beginning of each store, in particular to anticipate cases of unscheduled beam aborts due to a system failure. A combination of a fast transverse kickers and the new 2-stage copper collimator system are used to clean the abort gap continuously throughout the store with a repetition rate of 1 Hz. This report gives. an overview of the new gap cleaning procedure and the achieved performance.« less

Low back pain among workers in care facilities for the elderly after introducing welfare equipment.

PubMed

Iwakiri, Kazuyuki; Takahashi, Masaya; Sotoyama, Midori; Liu, Xinxin; Koda, Shigeki

2016-07-29

The purpose of this study was to clarify the causes of low back pain among workers in care facilities for the elderly after the introduction of welfare equipment. We conducted anonymous questionnaire surveys among administrators and care workers in eight elderly care facilities. The questionnaires were designed to investigate the status of both the care workers and facility. In reference to the care facility, the questionnaires were comprised items for investigating basic information, occupational safety, and health activities. For care workers, in addition to basic information, occupational safety, and health activities, the questionnaires also comprised items for investigating resident transfer and bathing methods, low back pain, and occupational stress. Completed questionnaires were returned by eight care facility administrators (response rate: 100%) and 373 care workers (response rate: 92.3%), among which 367 were used for analyses. Many care workers participated in a variety of occupational safety and health activities that were conducted in the facilities. Various types of welfare equipment were introduced into the care facilities and subsequently used by many care workers during resident transfer and bathing. As a result, 89.9% of the care workers reported having only slight or no low back pain. The remaining 10.1% reported having serious low back pain that interfered with their work. On the basis of logistic regression analysis, low back pain was associated with the following variables: failure to provide the appropriate method of care to each resident, failure of colleagues to discuss methods for improving care, lack of instructions regarding the use of welfare equipment, and inappropriate job rotation. An association was also found between low back pain and poor posture, poor resident-lifting technique, insufficient time to complete work, and a shortage of workers to assist with resident transfer or bathing. Although care workers received instructions on

An evaluation of gap-filled Landsat SLC-off imagery for wildland fire burn severity mapping

USGS Publications Warehouse

Howard, Stephen M.; Lacasse, James M.

2004-01-01

n May 31, 2003 unusual artifacts appeared within image data collected by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) instrument on-board the Landsat 7 spacecraft. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with the support of NASA, has been working to find a means of compensating for the data gaps that result from a failure of the instrument’s scan line corrector (SLC). The SLC is an electromechanical device that compensates for the forward motion of the spacecraft by modifying the instrument’s optical path. The problem is likely due to a mechanical failure of the device for which there is no redundancy and that cannot be repaired or coaxed back into service. Further information regarding Landsat 7 and the SLC failure can be found at the Landsat Project home page (http://landsat7.usgs.gov).

Effects of electrode gap and electric current on chlorine generation of electrolyzed deep ocean water.

PubMed

Hsu, Guoo-Shyng Wang; Hsu, Shun-Yao

2018-04-01

Electrolyzed water is a sustainable disinfectant, which can comply with food safety regulations and is environmental friendly. A two-factor central composite design was adopted for studying the effects of electrode gap and electric current on chlorine generation efficiency of electrolyzed deep ocean water. Deep ocean water was electrolyzed in a glass electrolyzing cell equipped with platinum-plated titanium anode and cathode in a constant-current operation mode. Results showed that current density, chlorine concentration, and electrolyte temperature increased with electric current, while electric efficiency decreased with electric current and electrode gap. An electrode gap of less than 11.7 mm, and a low electric current appeared to be a more energy efficient design and operation condition for the electrolysis system. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Increased anion gap metabolic acidosis as a result of 5-oxoproline (pyroglutamic acid): a role for acetaminophen.

PubMed

Fenves, Andrew Z; Kirkpatrick, Haskell M; Patel, Viralkumar V; Sweetman, Lawrence; Emmett, Michael

2006-05-01

The endogenous organic acid metabolic acidoses that occur commonly in adults include lactic acidosis; ketoacidosis; acidosis that results from the ingestion of toxic substances such as methanol, ethylene glycol, or paraldehyde; and a component of the acidosis of kidney failure. Another rare but underdiagnosed cause of severe, high anion gap metabolic acidosis in adults is that due to accumulation of 5-oxoproline (pyroglutamic acid). Reported are four patients with this syndrome, and reviewed are 18 adult patients who were reported previously in the literature. Twenty-one patients had major exposure to acetaminophen (one only acute exposure). Eighteen (82%) of the 22 patients were women. Most of the patients were malnourished as a result of multiple medical comorbidities, and most had some degree of kidney dysfunction or overt failure. The chronic ingestion of acetaminophen, especially by malnourished women, may generate high anion gap metabolic acidosis. This undoubtedly is an underdiagnosed condition because measurements of serum and/or urinary 5-oxoproline levels are not readily available.

Pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure due to severe hypernatremic dehydration.

PubMed

Chiwane, Saurabh; Ahmed, Tageldin M; Bauerfeld, Christian P; Chauhan, Monika

2017-07-01

Neonates are at risk of developing hypernatremic dehydration and its associated complications, such as stroke, dural sinus thrombosis and renal vein thrombosis. Pulmonary hypertension has not been described as a complication of hypernatremia. We report a case of a seven-day-old neonate with severe hypernatremic dehydration who went on to develop pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure needing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Normal or high anion gap metabolic acidosis commonly accompanies hypernatremic dehydration. The presence of acidosis and/or hypoxia can delay the normal drop in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) after birth, causing pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure. A high index of suspicion is paramount to diagnose pulmonary hypertension and aggressive correction of the acidosis and hypoxia is needed. In the presence of severe right ventricular failure, ECMO can be used as a bridge to recovery while underlying metabolic derangements are being corrected.

Development of Skylab medical equipment and flight preparations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, R. S.; Stonesifer, J. C.; Hawkins, W. R.

1975-01-01

The major medical systems in the Skylab orbital workshop are described. They comprise the food system, the waste management system, operational bioinstrumentation, personal hygiene, gas sampling, an inflight medical support system, and a cardiovascular counterpressure garment. Life sciences experiments carried out aboard Skylab are also reviewed; these include an ergometer and metabolic analyzer, a lower-body negative pressure device, an electrode harness and body temperature probe, a blood pressure cuff, a leg volume measuring band, sleep studies, a body-mass measuring device, a rotating litter chair, a blood sample processor, and small-mass measuring apparatus. All performance requirements were met with the equipment, and no failures were encountered.

Effect of adhesive interleaving and discontinuous plies on failure of composite laminates subject to transverse normal loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jegley, Dawn C.

1989-01-01

Results of a series of tests to determine the effects of adhesive interleaving and discontinuous plies (plies with end-to-end gaps) on the displacements, failure loads and failure modes of graphite-epoxy laminates subjected to transverse normal loads are presented. Adhesive interleaving can be used to contain local damage within a group of plies, i.e., to arrest crack propagation on the interlaminate level, and it can increase the amount of normal displacement the laminate can withstand before failure. However, the addition of adhesive interleaving to a laminate does not significantly increase its load carrying capability. A few discontinuous plies in a laminate can reduce the normal displacement and load at failure by 10 to 40 percent compared to a laminate with no discontinuous plies, but the presence of the ply discontinuities does not generally change the failure location or the failure mode of the laminate.

The Use of a Reading Intervention Program with Students at Risk of Reading Failure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Browning, Angela Dixon

2010-01-01

A gap remains in the literature addressing reading intervention programs that have been successful for students identified as at risk of reading failure in grades kindergarten through second. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how the Scott Foresman Early Reading Intervention Program supported the improvement of literacy…

Coherent Synchrotron-Based Micro-Imaging Employed for Studies of Micro-Gap Formation in Dental Implants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rack, T.; Zabler, S.; Rack, A.; Stiller, M.; Riesemeier, H.; Cecilia, A.; Nelson, K.

2011-09-01

Biocompatible materials such as titanium are regularly applied in oral surgery. Titanium-based implants for the replacement of missing teeth demand a high mechanical precision in order to minimize micro-bacterial leakage, especially when two-piece concepts are used. Synchrotron-based hard x-ray radiography, unlike conventional laboratory radiography, allows high spatial resolution in combination with high contrast even when micro-sized features in such highly attenuating objects are visualized. Therefore, micro-gap formation at interfaces in two-piece dental implants with the sample under different mechanical loads can be studied. We show the existence of micro-gaps in implants with conical connections and study the mechanical behavior of the mating zone of conical implants during loading. The micro-gap is a potential source of implant failure, i.e., bacterial leakage, which can be a stimulus for an inflammatory process.

Capturing a failure of an ASIC in-situ, using infrared radiometry and image processing software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ruiz, Ronald P.

2003-01-01

Failures in electronic devices can sometimes be tricky to locate-especially if they are buried inside radiation-shielded containers designed to work in outer space. Such was the case with a malfunctioning ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) that was drawing excessive power at a specific temperature during temperature cycle testing. To analyze the failure, infrared radiometry (thermography) was used in combination with image processing software to locate precisely where the power was being dissipated at the moment the failure took place. The IR imaging software was used to make the image of the target and background, appear as unity. As testing proceeded and the failure mode was reached, temperature changes revealed the precise location of the fault. The results gave the design engineers the information they needed to fix the problem. This paper describes the techniques and equipment used to accomplish this failure analysis.

Understanding and Resolving Failures in Human-Robot Interaction: Literature Review and Model Development

PubMed Central

Honig, Shanee; Oron-Gilad, Tal

2018-01-01

While substantial effort has been invested in making robots more reliable, experience demonstrates that robots operating in unstructured environments are often challenged by frequent failures. Despite this, robots have not yet reached a level of design that allows effective management of faulty or unexpected behavior by untrained users. To understand why this may be the case, an in-depth literature review was done to explore when people perceive and resolve robot failures, how robots communicate failure, how failures influence people's perceptions and feelings toward robots, and how these effects can be mitigated. Fifty-two studies were identified relating to communicating failures and their causes, the influence of failures on human-robot interaction (HRI), and mitigating failures. Since little research has been done on these topics within the HRI community, insights from the fields of human computer interaction (HCI), human factors engineering, cognitive engineering and experimental psychology are presented and discussed. Based on the literature, we developed a model of information processing for robotic failures (Robot Failure Human Information Processing, RF-HIP), that guides the discussion of our findings. The model describes the way people perceive, process, and act on failures in human robot interaction. The model includes three main parts: (1) communicating failures, (2) perception and comprehension of failures, and (3) solving failures. Each part contains several stages, all influenced by contextual considerations and mitigation strategies. Several gaps in the literature have become evident as a result of this evaluation. More focus has been given to technical failures than interaction failures. Few studies focused on human errors, on communicating failures, or the cognitive, psychological, and social determinants that impact the design of mitigation strategies. By providing the stages of human information processing, RF-HIP can be used as a tool to

Patient injuries from anesthesia gas delivery equipment: a closed claims update.

PubMed

Mehta, Sonya P; Eisenkraft, James B; Posner, Karen L; Domino, Karen B

2013-10-01

Improvements in anesthesia gas delivery equipment and provider training may increase patient safety. The authors analyzed patient injuries related to gas delivery equipment claims from the American Society of Anesthesiologists Closed Claims Project database over the decades from 1970s to the 2000s. After the Institutional Review Board approval, the authors reviewed the Closed Claims Project database of 9,806 total claims. Inclusion criteria were general anesthesia for surgical or obstetric anesthesia care (n = 6,022). Anesthesia gas delivery equipment was defined as any device used to convey gas to or from (but not involving) the airway management device. Claims related to anesthesia gas delivery equipment were compared between time periods by chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Anesthesia gas delivery claims decreased over the decades (P < 0.001) to 1% of claims in the 2000s. Outcomes in claims from 1990 to 2011 (n = 40) were less severe, with a greater proportion of awareness (n = 9, 23%; P = 0.003) and pneumothorax (n = 7, 18%; P = 0.047). Severe injuries (death/permanent brain damage) occurred in supplemental oxygen supply events outside the operating room, breathing circuit events, or ventilator mishaps. The majority (85%) of claims involved provider error with (n = 7) or without (n = 27) equipment failure. Thirty-five percent of claims were judged as preventable by preanesthesia machine check. Gas delivery equipment claims in the Closed Claims Project database decreased in 1990-2011 compared with earlier decades. Provider error contributed to severe injury, especially with inadequate alarms, improvised oxygen delivery systems, and misdiagnosis or treatment of breathing circuit events.

Gap Resolution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Labutti, Kurt; Foster, Brian; Lapidus, Alla

Gap Resolution is a software package that was developed to improve Newbler genome assemblies by automating the closure of sequence gaps caused by repetitive regions in the DNA. This is done by performing the follow steps:1) Identify and distribute the data for each gap in sub-projects. 2) Assemble the data associated with each sub-project using a secondary assembler, such as Newbler or PGA. 3) Determine if any gaps are closed after reassembly, and either design fakes (consensus of closed gap) for those that closed or lab experiments for those that require additional data. The software requires as input a genomemore » assembly produce by the Newbler assembler provided by Roche and 454 data containing paired-end reads.« less

Transmission expansion with smart switching under demand uncertainty and line failures

DOE PAGES

Schumacher, Kathryn M.; Chen, Richard Li-Yang; Cohn, Amy E. M.

2016-06-07

One of the major challenges in deciding where to build new transmission lines is that there is uncertainty regarding future loads, renewal generation output and equipment failures. We propose a robust optimization model whose transmission expansion solutions ensure that demand can be met over a wide range of conditions. Specifically, we require feasible operation for all loads and renewable generation levels within given ranges, and for all single transmission line failures. Furthermore, we consider transmission switching as an allowable recovery action. This relatively inexpensive method of redirecting power flows improves resiliency, but introduces computational challenges. Lastly, we present a novelmore » algorithm to solve this model. Computational results are discussed.« less

Seizing market shaping opportunities for vaccine cold chain equipment.

PubMed

Azimi, Tara; Franzel, Lauren; Probst, Nina

2017-04-19

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, supports immunisation programmes in eligible countries to reach children with lifesaving vaccines. Dramatic improvement in the scale and performance of current cold chain systems is required to extend the reach of immunisation services - especially for children living in remote locations - to advance progress towards full vaccine coverage. Achieving these improvements will require a healthier market for cold chain equipment where the products meet user needs, are sustainably priced, and are available in sufficient quantities to meet demand. Yet evidence suggests that the cold chain market has suffered from several failures including limited demand visibility, fragmented procurement, and insufficient information exchange between manufacturers and buyers on needs and equipment performance. One of Gavi's strategic goals is to shape markets for vaccines and other immunisation products, including cold chain equipment and in 2015, Gavi created a new mechanism - the Cold Chain Equipment (CCE) Optimisation Platform - to strengthen country cold chain systems by offering financial support and incentives for higher performing CCE. The main objective of the CCE Platform is to get more equipment that is efficient, sustainable, and better performing deployed to every health facility where it is required at an affordable price. To achieve these objectives, Gavi is putting in place tested market shaping approaches and tools adapted for the CCE market: the development of market strategies or 'roadmaps'; improvement of product performance through the development of target product profiles (TPPs); strategic engagement with CCE manufacturers and countries to enhance information sharing; and tailoring procurement tactics to the CCE market. These approaches and tools will allow for increased demand and supply of higher-performing, cost-effective and quality products. By strengthening immunisation systems with improved cold chain equipment, Gavi countries can

Global left atrial failure in heart failure.

PubMed

Triposkiadis, Filippos; Pieske, Burkert; Butler, Javed; Parissis, John; Giamouzis, Gregory; Skoularigis, John; Brutsaert, Dirk; Boudoulas, Harisios

2016-11-01

The left atrium plays an important role in the maintenance of cardiovascular and neurohumoral homeostasis in heart failure. However, with progressive left ventricular dysfunction, left atrial (LA) dilation and mechanical failure develop, which frequently culminate in atrial fibrillation. Moreover, LA mechanical failure is accompanied by LA endocrine failure [deficient atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) processing-synthesis/development of ANP resistance) and LA regulatory failure (dominance of sympathetic nervous system excitatory mechanisms, excessive vasopressin release) contributing to neurohumoral overactivity, vasoconstriction, and volume overload (global LA failure). The purpose of the present review is to describe the characteristics and emphasize the clinical significance of global LA failure in patients with heart failure. © 2016 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2016 European Society of Cardiology.

Beyond good intentions: lessons on equipment donation from an African hospital.

PubMed

Howie, Stephen R C; Hill, Sarah E; Peel, David; Sanneh, Momodou; Njie, Malick; Hill, Philip C; Mulholland, Kim; Adegbola, Richard A

2008-01-01

In 2000, a referral hospital in the Gambia accepted a donation of oxygen concentrators to help maintain oxygen supplies. The concentrators broke down and were put into storage. A case study was done to find the reasons for the problem and to draw lessons to help improve both oxygen supplies and the success of future equipment donations. A technical assessment of the concentrators was carried out by a biomedical engineer with relevant expertise. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with key informants, and content analysis and inductive approaches were applied to construct the history of the episode and the reasons for the failure. Interviews confirmed the importance of technical problems with the equipment. They also revealed that the donation process was flawed, and that the hospital did not have the expertise to assess or maintain the equipment. Technical assessment showed that all units had the wrong voltage and frequency, leading to overheating and breakdown. Subsequently a hospital donations committee was established to oversee the donations process. On-site biomedical engineering expertise was arranged with a nongovernmental organization (NGO) partner. Appropriate donations of medical equipment, including oxygen concentrators, can be of benefit to hospitals in resource-poor settings, but recipients and donors need to actively manage donations to ensure that the donations are beneficial. Success requires planning, technical expertise and local participation. Partners with relevant skills and resources may also be needed. In 2002, WHO produced guidelines for medical equipment donations, which address problems that might be encountered. These guidelines should be publicized and used.

Beyond good intentions: lessons on equipment donation from an African hospital

PubMed Central

Hill, Sarah E; Peel, David; Sanneh, Momodou; Njie, Malick; Hill, Philip C; Mulholland, Kim; Adegbola, Richard A

2008-01-01

Abstract Objective In 2000, a referral hospital in the Gambia accepted a donation of oxygen concentrators to help maintain oxygen supplies. The concentrators broke down and were put into storage. A case study was done to find the reasons for the problem and to draw lessons to help improve both oxygen supplies and the success of future equipment donations. Methods A technical assessment of the concentrators was carried out by a biomedical engineer with relevant expertise. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with key informants, and content analysis and inductive approaches were applied to construct the history of the episode and the reasons for the failure. Findings Interviews confirmed the importance of technical problems with the equipment. They also revealed that the donation process was flawed, and that the hospital did not have the expertise to assess or maintain the equipment. Technical assessment showed that all units had the wrong voltage and frequency, leading to overheating and breakdown. Subsequently a hospital donations committee was established to oversee the donations process. On-site biomedical engineering expertise was arranged with a nongovernmental organization (NGO) partner. Conclusion Appropriate donations of medical equipment, including oxygen concentrators, can be of benefit to hospitals in resource-poor settings, but recipients and donors need to actively manage donations to ensure that the donations are beneficial. Success requires planning, technical expertise and local participation. Partners with relevant skills and resources may also be needed. In 2002, WHO produced guidelines for medical equipment donations, which address problems that might be encountered. These guidelines should be publicized and used. PMID:18235890

Nonparametric analysis of bivariate gap time with competing risks.

PubMed

Huang, Chiung-Yu; Wang, Chenguang; Wang, Mei-Cheng

2016-09-01

This article considers nonparametric methods for studying recurrent disease and death with competing risks. We first point out that comparisons based on the well-known cumulative incidence function can be confounded by different prevalence rates of the competing events, and that comparisons of the conditional distribution of the survival time given the failure event type are more relevant for investigating the prognosis of different patterns of recurrence disease. We then propose nonparametric estimators for the conditional cumulative incidence function as well as the conditional bivariate cumulative incidence function for the bivariate gap times, that is, the time to disease recurrence and the residual lifetime after recurrence. To quantify the association between the two gap times in the competing risks setting, a modified Kendall's tau statistic is proposed. The proposed estimators for the conditional bivariate cumulative incidence distribution and the association measure account for the induced dependent censoring for the second gap time. Uniform consistency and weak convergence of the proposed estimators are established. Hypothesis testing procedures for two-sample comparisons are discussed. Numerical simulation studies with practical sample sizes are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed nonparametric estimators and tests. An application to data from a pancreatic cancer study is presented to illustrate the methods developed in this article. © 2016, The International Biometric Society.

Comparison of Models of Stress Relaxation in Failure Analysis for Connectors under Long-term Storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Yilin; Wan, Mengru

2018-03-01

Reliability requirements of the system equipment under long-term storage are put forward especially for the military products, so that the connectors in the equipment also need long-term storage life correspondingly. In this paper, the effects of stress relaxation of the elastic components on electrical contact of the connectors in long-term storage process were studied from the failure mechanism and degradation models. A wire spring connector was taken as an example to discuss the life prediction method for electrical contacts of the connectors based on stress relaxation degradation under long -term storage.

Coherent Synchrotron-Based Micro-Imaging Employed for Studies of Micro-Gap Formation in Dental Implants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rack, T.; Stiller, M.; Nelson, K.

Biocompatible materials such as titanium are regularly applied in oral surgery. Titanium-based implants for the replacement of missing teeth demand a high mechanical precision in order to minimize micro-bacterial leakage, especially when two-piece concepts are used. Synchrotron-based hard x-ray radiography, unlike conventional laboratory radiography, allows high spatial resolution in combination with high contrast even when micro-sized features in such highly attenuating objects are visualized. Therefore, micro-gap formation at interfaces in two-piece dental implants with the sample under different mechanical loads can be studied. We show the existence of micro-gaps in implants with conical connections and study the mechanical behavior ofmore » the mating zone of conical implants during loading. The micro-gap is a potential source of implant failure, i.e., bacterial leakage, which can be a stimulus for an inflammatory process.« less

A retrospective analysis of glycol and toxic alcohol ingestion: utility of anion and osmolal gaps

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Patients ingesting ethylene glycol, isopropanol, methanol, and propylene glycol ('toxic alcohols') often present with non-specific signs and symptoms. Definitive diagnosis of toxic alcohols has traditionally been by gas chromatography (GC), a technique not commonly performed on-site in hospital clinical laboratories. The objectives of this retrospective study were: 1) to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the osmolal gap in screening for toxic alcohol ingestion and 2) to determine the common reasons other than toxic alcohol ingestion for elevated osmolal gaps. Methods Electronic medical records from an academic tertiary care medical center were searched to identify all patients in the time period from January 1, 1996 to September 1, 2010 who had serum/plasma ethanol, glucose, sodium, blood urea nitrogen, and osmolality measured simultaneously, and also all patients who had GC analysis for toxic alcohols. Detailed chart review was performed on all patients with osmolal gap of 9 or greater. Results In the study period, 20,669 patients had determination of serum/plasma ethanol and osmolal gap upon presentation to the hospitals. There were 341 patients with an osmolal gap greater than 14 (including correction for estimated contribution of ethanol) on initial presentation to the medical center. Seventy-seven patients tested positive by GC for one or more toxic alcohols; all had elevated anion gap or osmolal gap or both. Other than toxic alcohols, the most common causes for an elevated osmolal gap were recent heavy ethanol consumption with suspected alcoholic ketoacidosis, renal failure, shock, and recent administration of mannitol. Only 9 patients with osmolal gap greater than 50 and no patients with osmolal gap greater than 100 were found to be negative for toxic alcohols. Conclusions Our study concurs with other investigations that show that osmolal gap can be a useful diagnostic test in conjunction with clinical history and physical examination. PMID

Pandemic influenza and health system resource gaps in Bali: an analysis through a resource transmission dynamics model.

PubMed

Adisasmito, Wiku; Hunter, Benjamin M; Krumkamp, Ralf; Latief, Kamal; Rudge, James W; Hanvoravongchai, Piya; Coker, Richard J

2015-03-01

The failure to contain pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 in Mexico has shifted global attention from containment to mitigation. Limited surveillance and reporting have, however, prevented detailed assessment of mitigation during the pandemic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To assess pandemic influenza case management capabilities in a resource-limited setting, the authors used a health system questionnaire and density-dependent, deterministic transmission model for Bali, Indonesia, determining resource gaps. The majority of health resources were focused in and around the provincial capital, Denpasar; however, gaps are found in every district for nursing staff, surgical masks, and N95 masks. A relatively low pathogenicity pandemic influenza virus would see an overall surplus for physicians, antivirals, and antimicrobials; however, a more pathogenic virus would lead to gaps in every resource except antimicrobials. Resources could be allocated more evenly across Bali. These, however, are in short supply universally and therefore redistribution would not fill resource gaps. © 2011 APJPH.

Reliability Improvement of Ground Fault Protection System Using an S-Type Horn Attachment Gap in AC Feeding System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ajiki, Kohji; Morimoto, Hiroaki; Shimokawa, Fumiyuki; Sakai, Shinya; Sasaki, Kazuomi; Sato, Ryogo

Contact wires used in feeding system for electric railroad are insulated by insulators. However, insulation of an insulator sometimes breaks down by surface dirt of an insulator and contact with a bird. The insulator breakdown derives a ground fault in feeding system. Ground fault will cause a human electric shock and a destruction of low voltage electric equipment. In order to prevent the damage by ground fault, an S-type horn has been applicable as equipped on insulators of negative feeder and protective wire until present. However, a concrete pole breaks down at the time of the ground fault because a spark-over voltage of the S-type horn is higher than a breakdown voltage of a concrete pole. Farther, the S-type horn installed in the steel tube pole does not discharge a case, because the earth resistance of a steel tube pole is very small. We assumed that we could solve these troubles by changing the power frequency spark-over voltage of the S-type horn from 12kV to 3kV. Accordingly, we developed an attachment gap that should be used to change the power frequency spark-over voltage of the S-type horn from 12kV to 3kV. The attachment gap consists of a gas gap arrester and a zinc oxide element. By the dynamic current test and the artificial ground fault test, we confirmed that the attachment gap in the S-type horn could prevent a trouble at the time of the ground fault.

A Semi-parametric Multivariate Gap-filling Model for Eddy Covariance Latent Heat Flux

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, M.; Chen, Y.

2010-12-01

Quantitative descriptions of latent heat fluxes are important to study the water and energy exchanges between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. The eddy covariance approaches have been recognized as the most reliable technique for measuring surface fluxes over time scales ranging from hours to years. However, unfavorable micrometeorological conditions, instrument failures, and applicable measurement limitations may cause inevitable flux gaps in time series data. Development and application of suitable gap-filling techniques are crucial to estimate long term fluxes. In this study, a semi-parametric multivariate gap-filling model was developed to fill latent heat flux gaps for eddy covariance measurements. Our approach combines the advantages of a multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis, PCA) and a nonlinear interpolation technique (K-nearest-neighbors, KNN). The PCA method was first used to resolve the multicollinearity relationships among various hydrometeorological factors, such as radiation, soil moisture deficit, LAI, and wind speed. The KNN method was then applied as a nonlinear interpolation tool to estimate the flux gaps as the weighted sum latent heat fluxes with the K-nearest distances in the PCs’ domain. Two years, 2008 and 2009, of eddy covariance and hydrometeorological data from a subtropical mixed evergreen forest (the Lien-Hua-Chih Site) were collected to calibrate and validate the proposed approach with artificial gaps after standard QC/QA procedures. The optimal K values and weighting factors were determined by the maximum likelihood test. The results of gap-filled latent heat fluxes conclude that developed model successful preserving energy balances of daily, monthly, and yearly time scales. Annual amounts of evapotranspiration from this study forest were 747 mm and 708 mm for 2008 and 2009, respectively. Nocturnal evapotranspiration was estimated with filled gaps and results are comparable with other studies

Prediction of line failure fault based on weighted fuzzy dynamic clustering and improved relational analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Xiaocheng; Che, Renfei; Gao, Shi; He, Juntao

2018-04-01

With the advent of large data age, power system research has entered a new stage. At present, the main application of large data in the power system is the early warning analysis of the power equipment, that is, by collecting the relevant historical fault data information, the system security is improved by predicting the early warning and failure rate of different kinds of equipment under certain relational factors. In this paper, a method of line failure rate warning is proposed. Firstly, fuzzy dynamic clustering is carried out based on the collected historical information. Considering the imbalance between the attributes, the coefficient of variation is given to the corresponding weights. And then use the weighted fuzzy clustering to deal with the data more effectively. Then, by analyzing the basic idea and basic properties of the relational analysis model theory, the gray relational model is improved by combining the slope and the Deng model. And the incremental composition and composition of the two sequences are also considered to the gray relational model to obtain the gray relational degree between the various samples. The failure rate is predicted according to the principle of weighting. Finally, the concrete process is expounded by an example, and the validity and superiority of the proposed method are verified.

5-oxoproline-induced anion gap metabolic acidosis after an acute acetaminophen overdose.

PubMed

Lawrence, David T; Bechtel, Laura K; Charlton, Nathan P; Holstege, Christopher P

2010-09-01

Metabolic acidosis after acute acetaminophen overdose is typically attributed to either transient lactic acidosis without evidence of hepatic injury or hepatic failure. High levels of the organic acid 5-oxoprolinuria are usually reported in patients with predisposing conditions, such as sepsis, who are treated in a subacute or chronic fashion with acetaminophen. The authors report a case of a 40-year-old woman who developed anion gap metabolic acidosis and somnolence after an acute acetaminophen overdose. Substantial hepatic damage did not occur, which ruled out acetaminophen-induced hepatic insufficiency as a cause of the patient's acidosis or altered mental status. Urinalysis revealed elevated levels of 5-oxoproline, suggesting that the patient's acute acetaminophen overdose was associated with marked anion gap metabolic acidosis due solely to 5-oxoproline without hepatic complications. The acidosis fully resolved with N-acetylcysteine treatment and supportive care including hydration.

Consensus statement: Palliative and supportive care in advanced heart failure.

PubMed

Goodlin, Sarah J; Hauptman, Paul J; Arnold, Robert; Grady, Kathleen; Hershberger, Ray E; Kutner, Jean; Masoudi, Frederick; Spertus, John; Dracup, Kathleen; Cleary, James F; Medak, Ruth; Crispell, Kathy; Piña, Ileana; Stuart, Brad; Whitney, Christy; Rector, Thomas; Teno, Joan; Renlund, Dale G

2004-06-01

A consensus conference was convened to define the current state and important gaps in knowledge and needed research on "Palliative and Supportive Care in Advanced Heart Failure." Evidence was drawn from expert opinion and from extensive review of the medical literature, evidence-based guidelines, and reviews. The conference identified gaps in current knowledge, practice, and research relating to prognostication, symptom management, and supportive care for advanced heart failure (HF). Specific conclusions include: (1) although supportive care should be integrated throughout treatment of patients with advanced HF, data are needed to understand how to best decrease physical and psychosocial burdens of advanced HF and to meet patient and family needs; (2) prognostication in advanced HF is difficult and data are needed to understand which patients will benefit from which interventions and how best to counsel patients with advanced HF; (3) research is needed to identify which interventions improve quality of life and best achieve the outcomes desired by patients and family members; (4) care should be coordinated between sites of care, and barriers to evidence-based practice must be addressed programmatically; and (5) more research is needed to identify the content and technique of communicating prognosis and treatment options with patients with advanced HF; physicians caring for patients with advanced HF must develop skills to better integrate the patient's preferences into the goals of care.

Tracking the Creation of Tropical Forest Canopy Gaps with UAV Computer Vision Remote Sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dandois, J. P.

2015-12-01

The formation of canopy gaps is fundamental for shaping forest structure and is an important component of ecosystem function. Recent time-series of airborne LIDAR have shown great promise for improving understanding of the spatial distribution and size of forest gaps. However, such work typically looks at gap formation across multiple years and important intra-annual variation in gap dynamics remains unknown. Here we present findings on the intra-annual dynamics of canopy gap formation within the 50 ha forest dynamics plot of Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing. High-resolution imagery (7 cm GSD) over the 50 ha plot was obtained regularly (≈ every 10 days) beginning October 2014 using a UAV equipped with a point and shoot camera. Imagery was processed into three-dimensional (3D) digital surface models (DSMs) using automated computer vision structure from motion / photogrammetric methods. New gaps that formed between each UAV flight were identified by subtracting DSMs between each interval and identifying areas of large deviation. A total of 48 new gaps were detected from 2014-10-02 to 2015-07-23, with sizes ranging from less than 20 m2 to greater than 350 m2. The creation of new gaps was also evaluated across wet and dry seasons with 4.5 new gaps detected per month in the dry season (Jan. - May) and 5.2 per month outside the dry season (Oct. - Jan. & May - July). The incidence of gap formation was positively correlated with ground-surveyed liana stem density (R2 = 0.77, p < 0.001) at the 1 hectare scale. Further research will consider the role of climate in predicting gap formation frequency as well as site history and other edaphic factors. Future satellite missions capable of observing vegetation structure at greater extents and frequencies than airborne observations will be greatly enhanced by the high spatial and temporal resolution bridging scale made possible by UAV remote sensing.

Chronic acetaminophen ingestion resulting in severe anion gap metabolic acidosis secondary to 5-oxoproline accumulation: an under diagnosed phenomenon.

PubMed

O'Brien, L Morgan Nordstrom; Hooper, Michael; Flemmer, Mark; Marik, Paul Ellis

2012-07-03

Anion gap metabolic acidosis is commonly caused by lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, and ingestion of methanol, salicylates, ethylene glycol or accumulation of organic/inorganic acids. However, rare causes of metabolic acidosis from enzyme defects, such as disturbances in the γ-glutamyl cycle, are being reported in higher frequencies in the adult population. Such disturbances cause an accumulation of 5-oxoproline and ultimately an anion gap metabolic acidosis. These disturbances are often associated with acetaminophen in the setting of certain risk factors such as sepsis, malnutrition, liver disease, female gender, pregnancy or renal failure.

Chronic acetaminophen ingestion resulting in severe anion gap metabolic acidosis secondary to 5-oxoproline accumulation: an under diagnosed phenomenon

PubMed Central

O’Brien, L. Morgan Nordstrom; Hooper, Michael; Flemmer, Mark; Marik, Paul Ellis

2012-01-01

Anion gap metabolic acidosis is commonly caused by lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, and ingestion of methanol, salicylates, ethylene glycol or accumulation of organic/inorganic acids. However, rare causes of metabolic acidosis from enzyme defects, such as disturbances in the γ-glutamyl cycle, are being reported in higher frequencies in the adult population. Such disturbances cause an accumulation of 5-oxoproline and ultimately an anion gap metabolic acidosis. These disturbances are often associated with acetaminophen in the setting of certain risk factors such as sepsis, malnutrition, liver disease, female gender, pregnancy or renal failure. PMID:22761219

[Research progress of larger flexion gap than extension gap in total knee arthroplasty].

PubMed

Zhang, Weisong; Hao, Dingjun

2017-05-01

To summarize the progress of larger flexion gap than extension gap in total knee arthro-plasty (TKA). The domestic and foreign related literature about larger flexion gap than extension gap in TKA, and its impact factors, biomechanical and kinematic features, and clinical results were summarized. During TKA, to adjust the relations of flexion gap and extension gap is one of the key factors of successful operation. The biomechanical, kinematic, and clinical researches show that properly larger flexion gap than extension gap can improve both the postoperative knee range of motion and the satisfaction of patients, but does not affect the stability of the knee joint. However, there are also contrary findings. So adjustment of flexion gap and extension gap during TKA is still in dispute. Larger flexion gap than extension gap in TKA is a new joint space theory, and long-term clinical efficacy, operation skills, and related complications still need further study.

Shifting and Sharing: Academic Physicians' Strategies for Navigating Underperformance and Failure.

PubMed

LaDonna, Kori A; Ginsburg, Shiphra; Watling, Christopher

2018-05-22

Medical practice is uncertain and complex. Consequently, even outstanding performers will inevitably experience moments of underperformance and failure. Coping relies on insight and resilience. However, how physicians develop and use these skills to navigate struggle remains underexplored. A better understanding may reveal strategies to support both struggling learners and stressed practitioners. In 2015, 28 academic physicians were interviewed about their experiences with underperformance or failure. Constructivist grounded theory informed data collection and analysis. Participants' experiences with struggle ranged from patient errors and academic failures to frequent, smaller moments of interpersonal conflict and work-life imbalance. To buffer impact, participants sometimes shifted their focus to an aspect of their identity where they felt successful. Additionally, while participants perceived that insight develops by acknowledging and reflecting on error, they sometimes deflected blame for performance gaps. More often, participants seemed to accept personal responsibility while simultaneously sharing accountability for underperformance or failure with external forces. Paradoxically, participants perceived learners who used these strategies as lacking in insight. Participants demonstrated the protective and functional value of distributing responsibility for underperformance and failure. Shifting and sharing may be an element of reflection and resilience; recognizing external factors may provide a way to gain perspective and to preserve the self. However, this strategy challenges educators' assumptions that learners who deflect are avoiding personal responsibility. The authors' findings raise questions about what it means to be resilient, and how assumptions about learners' responses to failure may affect strategies to support underperforming learners.

Gap Junctions

PubMed Central

Nielsen, Morten Schak; Axelsen, Lene Nygaard; Sorgen, Paul L.; Verma, Vandana; Delmar, Mario; Holstein-Rathlou, Niels-Henrik

2013-01-01

Gap junctions are essential to the function of multicellular animals, which require a high degree of coordination between cells. In vertebrates, gap junctions comprise connexins and currently 21 connexins are known in humans. The functions of gap junctions are highly diverse and include exchange of metabolites and electrical signals between cells, as well as functions, which are apparently unrelated to intercellular communication. Given the diversity of gap junction physiology, regulation of gap junction activity is complex. The structure of the various connexins is known to some extent; and structural rearrangements and intramolecular interactions are important for regulation of channel function. Intercellular coupling is further regulated by the number and activity of channels present in gap junctional plaques. The number of connexins in cell-cell channels is regulated by controlling transcription, translation, trafficking, and degradation; and all of these processes are under strict control. Once in the membrane, channel activity is determined by the conductive properties of the connexin involved, which can be regulated by voltage and chemical gating, as well as a large number of posttranslational modifications. The aim of the present article is to review our current knowledge on the structure, regulation, function, and pharmacology of gap junctions. This will be supported by examples of how different connexins and their regulation act in concert to achieve appropriate physiological control, and how disturbances of connexin function can lead to disease. © 2012 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 2:1981-2035, 2012. PMID:23723031

Power Product Equipment Technician: Lawn and Garden Equipment. Teacher Edition. Student Version.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hilley, Robert

This packet contains teacher and student editions for lawn and garden equipment repair and maintenance, intended for the preparation of power product equipment technicians. This publication contains four units: (1) introduction to lawn and garden equipment; (2) light-duty lawn and garden equipment; (3) heavy-duty lawn and garden equipment; and (4)…

Iridium: failures & successes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christensen, CarissaBryce; Beard, Suzette

2001-03-01

This paper will provide an overview of the Iridium business venture in terms of the challenges faced, the successes achieved, and the causes of the ultimate failure of the venture — bankruptcy and system de-orbit. The paper will address technical, business, and policy issues. The intent of the paper is to provide a balanced and accurate overview of the Iridium experience, to aid future decision-making by policy makers, the business community, and technical experts. Key topics will include the history of the program, the objectives and decision-making of Motorola, the market research and analysis conducted, partnering strategies and their impact, consumer equipment availability, and technical issues — target performance, performance achieved, technical accomplishments, and expected and unexpected technical challenges. The paper will use as sources trade media and business articles on the Iridium program, technical papers and conference presentations, Wall Street analyst's reports, and, where possible, interviews with participants and close observers.

Managing the equipment service life in rendering engineering support to NPP operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryasnyy, S. I.

2015-05-01

Apart from subjecting metal to nondestructive testing and determining its actual state, which are the traditional methods used for managing the service life of NPP equipment during its operation, other approaches closely linked with rendering engineering support to NPP operation have emerged in recent decades, which, however, have been covered in publications to a lesser extent. Service life management matters occupy the central place in the structure of engineering support measures. Application of the concept of repairing NPP equipment based on assessing its technical state and the risk of its failure makes it possible to achieve significantly smaller costs for maintenance and repairs and produce a larger amount of electricity due to shorter planned outages. Decreasing the occurrence probability of a process-related abnormality through its prediction is a further development of techniques for monitoring the technical state of equipment and systems. The proposed and implemented procedure for predicting the occurrence of process-related deviations from normal NPP operation opens the possibility to record in the online mode the trends in changes of process parameters that are likely to lead to malfunctions in equipment operation and to reduce the probability of power unit unloading when an abnormal technical state of equipment occurs and develops by recording changes in the state at an early stage and taking timely corrective measures. The article presents the structure of interconnections between the objectives and conditions of adjustment and commissioning tests, in which the management of equipment service life (saving and optimizing the service life) occupies the central place. Special attention is paid to differences in resource saving and optimization measures.

Gaps in Science Content Knowledge Encountered during Teaching Practice: A Study of Early-Career Middle-School Science Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kinghorn, Brian Edward

2013-01-01

Subject-specific content knowledge is crucial for effective science teaching, yet many teachers are entering the field not fully equipped with all the science content knowledge they need to effectively teach the subject. Learning from practice is one approach to bridging the gap between what practicing teachers know and what they need to know.…

Personal protective equipment

MedlinePlus

... medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000447.htm Personal protective equipment To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript. Personal protective equipment is special equipment you wear to create a ...

Micromechanics of composite laminate compression failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guynn, E. Gail; Bradley, Walter L.

1986-01-01

The Dugdale analysis for metals loaded in tension was adapted to model the failure of notched composite laminates loaded in compression. Compression testing details, MTS alignment verification, and equipment needs were resolved. Thus far, only 2 ductile material systems, HST7 and F155, were selected for study. A Wild M8 Zoom Stereomicroscope and necessary attachments for video taping and 35 mm pictures were purchased. Currently, this compression test system is fully operational. A specimen is loaded in compression, and load vs shear-crippling zone size is monitored and recorded. Data from initial compression tests indicate that the Dugdale model does not accurately predict the load vs damage zone size relationship of notched composite specimens loaded in compression.

Common NICU Equipment

MedlinePlus

... care unit (NICU) > Common NICU equipment Common NICU equipment E-mail to a friend Please fill in ... understand how they can help your baby. What equipment is commonly used in the NICU? Providers use ...

Acetaminophen-induced anion gap metabolic acidosis secondary to 5-oxoproline: a case report.

PubMed

Abkur, Tarig Mohammed; Mohammed, Waleed; Ali, Mohamed; Casserly, Liam

2014-12-06

5-oxoproline (pyroglutamic acid), an organic acid intermediate of the gamma-glutamyl cycle, is a rare cause of high anion gap metabolic acidosis. Acetaminophen and several other drugs have been implicated in the development of transient 5-oxoprolinemia in adults. We believe that reporting all cases of 5-oxoprolinemia will contribute to a better understanding of this disease. Here, we report the case of a patient who developed transient 5-oxoprolinemia following therapeutic acetaminophen use. A 75-year-old Caucasian woman was initially admitted for treatment of an infected hip prosthesis and subsequently developed transient high anion gap metabolic acidosis. Our patient received 40 g of acetaminophen over a 10-day period. After the more common causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis were excluded, a urinary organic acid screen revealed a markedly increased level of 5-oxoproline. The acidosis resolved completely after discontinuation of the acetaminophen. 5-oxoproline acidosis is an uncommon cause of high anion gap metabolic acidosis; however, it is likely that it is under-diagnosed as awareness of the condition remains low and testing can only be performed at specialized laboratories. The diagnosis should be suspected in cases of anion gap metabolic acidosis, particularly in patients with recent acetaminophen use in combination with sepsis, malnutrition, liver disease, pregnancy or renal failure. This case has particular interest in medicine, especially for the specialties of nephrology and orthopedics. We hope that it will add more information to the literature about this rare condition.

A Conserved RhoGAP Limits M-phase Contractility and Coordinates with Microtubule Asters to Restrict Active RhoA to the Cell Equator During Cytokinesis

PubMed Central

Zanin, Esther; Desai, Arshad; Poser, Ina; Toyoda, Yusuke; Andree, Cordula; Moebius, Claudia; Bickle, Marc; Conradt, Barbara; Piekny, Alisa; Oegema, Karen

2014-01-01

SUMMARY During animal cell cytokinesis, the spindle directs contractile ring assembly by activating RhoA in a narrow equatorial zone. Rapid GTPase activating protein (GAP)-mediated inactivation (RhoA flux) is proposed to limit RhoA zone dimensions. Testing the significance of RhoA flux has been hampered by the fact that the GAP targeting RhoA is not known. Here, we identify M-phase GAP (MP-GAP) as the primary GAP targeting RhoA during mitosis/cytokinesis. MP-GAP inhibition caused excessive RhoA activation in M-phase leading to the uncontrolled formation of large cortical protrusions and late cytokinesis failure. RhoA zone width was broadened by attenuation of the centrosomal asters but was not affected by MP-GAP inhibition alone. Simultaneous aster attenuation and MP-GAP inhibition led to RhoA accumulation around the entire cell periphery. These results identify the major GAP restraining RhoA during cell division and delineate the relative contributions of RhoA flux and centrosomal asters in controlling RhoA zone dimensions. PMID:24012485

Enhanced stability of steep channel beds to mass failure and debris flow initiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prancevic, J.; Lamb, M. P.; Ayoub, F.; Venditti, J. G.

2015-12-01

Debris flows dominate bedrock erosion and sediment transport in very steep mountain channels, and are often initiated from failure of channel-bed alluvium during storms. While several theoretical models exist to predict mass failures, few have been tested because observations of in-channel bed failures are extremely limited. To fill this gap in our understanding, we performed laboratory flume experiments to identify the conditions necessary to initiate bed failures in non-cohesive sediment of different sizes (D = 0.7 mm to 15 mm) on steep channel-bed slopes (S = 0.45 to 0.93) and in the presence of water flow. In beds composed of sand, failures occurred under sub-saturated conditions on steep bed slopes (S > 0.5) and under super-saturated conditions at lower slopes. In beds of gravel, however, failures occurred only under super-saturated conditions at all tested slopes, even those approaching the dry angle of repose. Consistent with theoretical models, mass failures under super-saturated conditions initiated along a failure plane approximately one grain-diameter below the bed surface, whereas the failure plane was located near the base of the bed under sub-saturated conditions. However, all experimental beds were more stable than predicted by 1-D infinite-slope stability models. In partially saturated sand, enhanced stability appears to result from suction stress. Enhanced stability in gravel may result from turbulent energy losses in pores or increased granular friction for failures that are shallow with respect to grain size. These grain-size dependent effects are not currently included in stability models for non-cohesive sediment, and they may help to explain better the timing and location of debris flow occurrence.

The Knowledge Gap Versus the Belief Gap and Abstinence-Only Sex Education.

PubMed

Hindman, Douglas Blanks; Yan, Changmin

2015-08-01

The knowledge gap hypothesis predicts widening disparities in knowledge of heavily publicized public affairs issues among socioeconomic status groups. The belief gap hypothesis extends the knowledge gap hypothesis to account for knowledge and beliefs about politically contested issues based on empirically verifiable information. This analysis of 3 national surveys shows belief gaps developed between liberals and conservatives regarding abstinence-only sex education; socioeconomic status-based knowledge gaps did not widen. The findings partially support both belief gap and knowledge gap hypotheses. In addition, the unique contributions of exposure to Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC in this process were investigated. Only exposure to Fox News was linked to beliefs about abstinence-only sex education directly and indirectly through the cultivation of conservative ideology.

Designing and Implementation of a Heart Failure Telemonitoring System.

PubMed

Safdari, Reza; Jafarpour, Maryam; Mokhtaran, Mehrshad; Naderi, Nasim

2017-09-01

The aim of this study was to identify patients at-risk, enhancing self-care management of HF patients at home and reduce the disease exacerbations and readmissions. In this research according to standard heart failure guidelines and Semi-structured interviews with 10 heart failure Specialists, a draft heart failure rule set for alerts and patient instructions was developed. Eventually, the clinical champion of the project vetted the rule set. Also we designed a transactional system to enhance monitoring and follow up of CHF patients. With this system, CHF patients are required to measure their physiological measurements (vital signs and body weight) every day and to submit their symptoms using the app. additionally, based on their data, they will receive customized notifications and motivation messages to classify risk of disease exacerbation. The architecture of system comprised of six major components: 1) a patient data collection suite including a mobile app and website; 2) Data Receiver; 3) Database; 4) a Specialists expert Panel; 5) Rule engine classifier; 6) Notifier engine. This system has implemented in Iran for the first time and we are currently in the testing phase with 10 patients to evaluate the technical performance of our system. The developed expert system generates alerts and instructions based on the patient's data and the notify engine notifies responsible nurses and physicians and sometimes patients. Detailed analysis of those results will be reported in a future report. This study is based on the design of a telemonitoring system for heart failure self-care that intents to overcome the gap that occurs when patients discharge from the hospital and tries to accurate requirement of readmission. A rule set for classifying and resulting automated alerts and patient instructions for heart failure telemonitoring was developed. It also facilitates daily communication among patients and heart failure clinicians so any deterioration in health could be

Regression analysis for bivariate gap time with missing first gap time data.

PubMed

Huang, Chia-Hui; Chen, Yi-Hau

2017-01-01

We consider ordered bivariate gap time while data on the first gap time are unobservable. This study is motivated by the HIV infection and AIDS study, where the initial HIV contracting time is unavailable, but the diagnosis times for HIV and AIDS are available. We are interested in studying the risk factors for the gap time between initial HIV contraction and HIV diagnosis, and gap time between HIV and AIDS diagnoses. Besides, the association between the two gap times is also of interest. Accordingly, in the data analysis we are faced with two-fold complexity, namely data on the first gap time is completely missing, and the second gap time is subject to induced informative censoring due to dependence between the two gap times. We propose a modeling framework for regression analysis of bivariate gap time under the complexity of the data. The estimating equations for the covariate effects on, as well as the association between, the two gap times are derived through maximum likelihood and suitable counting processes. Large sample properties of the resulting estimators are developed by martingale theory. Simulations are performed to examine the performance of the proposed analysis procedure. An application of data from the HIV and AIDS study mentioned above is reported for illustration.

Space processing applications payload equipment study. Volume 2E: Commercial equipment utility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, A. G. (Editor)

1974-01-01

Examination of commercial equipment technologies revealed that the functional performance requirements of space processing equipment could generally be met by state-of-the-art design practices. Thus, an apparatus could be evolved from a standard item or derived by custom design using present technologies. About 15 percent of the equipment needed has no analogous commercial base of derivation and requires special development. This equipment is involved primarily with contactless heating and position control. The derivation of payloads using commercial equipment sources provides a broad and potentially cost-effective base upon which to draw. The derivation of payload equipment from commercial technologies poses other issues beyond that of the identifiable functional performance, but preliminary results on testing of selected equipment testing appear quite favorable. During this phase of the SPA study, several aspects of commercial equipment utility were assessed and considered. These included safety, packaging and structural, power conditioning (electrical/electronic), thermal and materials of construction.

Chronic Heart Failure: We Are Fighting the Battle, but Are We Winning the War?

PubMed Central

Atherton, John J.

2012-01-01

Heart failure represents an end-stage phenotype of a number of cardiovascular diseases and is generally associated with a poor prognosis. A number of organized battles fought over the last two to three decades have resulted in considerable advances in treatment including the use of drugs that interfere with neurohormonal activation and device-based therapies such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy. Despite this, the prevalence of heart failure continues to rise related to both the aging population and better survival in patients with cardiovascular disease. Registries have identified treatment gaps and variation in the application of evidenced-based practice, including the use of echocardiography and prescribing of disease-modifying drugs. Quality initiatives often coupled with multidisciplinary, heart failure disease management promote self-care and minimize variation in the application of evidenced-based practice leading to better long-term clinical outcomes. However, to address the rising prevalence of heart failure and win the war, we must also turn our attention to disease prevention. A combined approach is required that includes public health measures applied at a population level and screening strategies to identify individuals at high risk of developing heart failure in the future. PMID:24278681

Normal people working in normal organizations with normal equipment: system safety and cognition in a mid-air collision.

PubMed

de Carvalho, Paulo Victor Rodrigues; Gomes, José Orlando; Huber, Gilbert Jacob; Vidal, Mario Cesar

2009-05-01

A fundamental challenge in improving the safety of complex systems is to understand how accidents emerge in normal working situations, with equipment functioning normally in normally structured organizations. We present a field study of the en route mid-air collision between a commercial carrier and an executive jet, in the clear afternoon Amazon sky in which 154 people lost their lives, that illustrates one response to this challenge. Our focus was on how and why the several safety barriers of a well structured air traffic system melted down enabling the occurrence of this tragedy, without any catastrophic component failure, and in a situation where everything was functioning normally. We identify strong consistencies and feedbacks regarding factors of system day-to-day functioning that made monitoring and awareness difficult, and the cognitive strategies that operators have developed to deal with overall system behavior. These findings emphasize the active problem-solving behavior needed in air traffic control work, and highlight how the day-to-day functioning of the system can jeopardize such behavior. An immediate consequence is that safety managers and engineers should review their traditional safety approach and accident models based on equipment failure probability, linear combinations of failures, rules and procedures, and human errors, to deal with complex patterns of coincidence possibilities, unexpected links, resonance among system functions and activities, and system cognition.

Capturing pre-failure signs of slope instability using multi-temporal interferometry and Sentinel-1 data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wasowski, Janusz; Bovenga, Fabio; Nitti, Davide Oscar; Tijani, Khalid; Morea, Alberto; Nutricato, Raffaele; Chiaradia, Maria Teresa

2017-04-01

The shorter repeat cycle (6 days since October 2016) and regularity of acquisitions of Sentinel-1A/B with respect to earlier European Space Agency (ESA) satellites with C-band sensors (ERS1/2, ENVISAT) represent the key advantages for the research-oriented and practical applications of multi-temporal interferometry (MTI). The applicability of the Interferometric Wide Swath acquisition mode of Sentinel-1 (images covering a 250 km swath on the ground) to regional scale slope instability detection through MTI has already been demonstrated, e.g., via studies of landslide-prone areas in Italy. Here we focus on the potential of Sentinel-1 data for local (site-specific), MTI-based monitoring and capturing pre-failure signs of slope instability, by exploiting the Persistent and Distributed Scatterers processing capability of the SPINUA algorithm. In particular, we present an example of a retrospective study of a large (over 2 km long) landslide, which took place in 2016 in an active open-cast coal mine in central Europe. This seemingly sudden failure caused destruction of the mining equipment, blocked the mining operations thereby resulting in significant economic losses. For the study, we exploited over 60 Sentinel-1A/B images acquired since November 2014. The MTI results furnished a valuable overview of the ground instability/stability conditions within and around the active mine, even though considerable spatial gaps in information were encountered due to surface disturbance by mining operations. Significantly, the ground surface displacement time series revealed that the 2016 slope failure was preceded by very slow (generally 1-3 cm/yr) creep-like deformations, already present in 2014. The MTI results also indicated that the slope experienced a phase of accelerated movement several weeks prior to the landslide event. Furthermore, the spatio-temporal analysis of interferometric coherence changes in the unstable area (mapped on Sentinel-2 Bottom Of Atmosphere reflectance

PI3K/Akt signaling is involved in the disruption of gap junctional communication caused by v-Src and TNF-α.

PubMed

Ito, Satoko; Hyodo, Toshinori; Hasegawa, Hitoki; Yuan, Hong; Hamaguchi, Michinari; Senga, Takeshi

2010-09-17

Gap junctional communication, which is mediated by the connexin protein family, is essential for the maintenance of normal tissue function and homeostasis. Loss of intercellular communication results in a failure to coordinately regulate cellular functions, and it can facilitate tumorigenesis. Expression of oncogenes and stimulation with cytokines has been shown to suppress intercellular communication; however, the exact mechanism by which intercellular communication is disrupted by these factors remains uncertain. In this report, we show that Akt is essential for the disruption of gap junctional communication in v-Src-transformed cells. In addition, inhibition of Akt restores gap junctional communication after it is suppressed by TNF-α signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the expression of a constitutively active form of Akt1, but not of Akt2 or Akt3, is sufficient to suppress gap junctional communication. Our results clearly define Akt1 as one of the critical regulators of gap junctional communication. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cleaning supplies and equipment

MedlinePlus

... gov/ency/patientinstructions/000443.htm Cleaning supplies and equipment To use the sharing features on this page, ... to clean supplies and equipment. Disinfecting Supplies and Equipment Start by wearing the right personal protective equipment ( ...

The role of adhesive materials and oral biofilm in the failure of adhesive resin restorations.

PubMed

Pinna, Roberto; Usai, Paolo; Filigheddu, Enrica; Garcia-Godoy, Franklin; Milia, Egle

2017-10-01

To critically discuss adhesive materials and oral cariogenic biofilm in terms of their potential relevance to the failures of adhesive restorations in the oral environment. The literature regarding adhesive restoration failures was reviewed with particular emphasis on the chemistry of adhesive resins, weakness in dentin bonding, water fluids, cariogenic oral biofilm and the relations that influence failures. Particular attention was paid to evidence derived from clinical studies. There was much evidence that polymerization shrinkage is one of the main drawbacks of composite formulations. Stress results in debonding and marginal leakage into gaps with deleterious effects in bond strength, mechanical properties and the whole stability of restorations. Changes in resins permit passage of fluids and salivary proteins with a biological breakdown of the restorations. Esterases enzymes in human saliva catalyze exposed ester groups in composite producing monomer by-products, which can favor biofilm accumulation and secondary caries. Adhesive systems may not produce a dense hybrid layer in dentin. Very often this is related to the high viscous solubility and low wettability in dentin of the hydrophobic BisGMA monomer. Thus, dentin hybrid layer may suffer from hydrolysis using both the Etch&Rinse and Self-Etching adhesive systems. In addition, exposed and non-resin enveloped collagen fibers may be degraded by activation of the host-derived matrix metalloproteinase. Plaque accumulation is significantly influenced by the surface properties of the restorations. Biofilm at the contraction gap has demonstrated increased growth of Streptococcus mutans motivated by the chemical hydrolysis of the adhesive monomers at the margins. Streptococcus mutans is able to utilize some polysaccharides from the biofilm to increase the amount of acid in dental plaque with an increase in virulence and destruction of restorations. Stability of resin restorations in the oral environment is highly

[High anion gap metabolic acidosis (pyroglutamic acidosis) induced by chronic acetaminophen use].

PubMed

Tchougang Nono, J; Mistretta, V; Noirot, I; Canivet, J L; Damas, P

2018-01-01

Acetaminophen is the most consumable analgesic in the world in the form of medical prescription or self-medication. It is one of the active ingredients most often involved in voluntary poisoning. Lethal dose of acetaminophen classically induces acute hepatic failure on hepatic necrosis. Chronic intake of sub-lethal doses (i.e. near recommended therapeutic doses) of acetaminophen in the presence of certain risk factors may be responsible for another much less recognized pathological manifestation: severe metabolic acidosis with an increased anion gap due to the accumulation of 5-oxoproline or pyroglutamic acid.

Effects of Gas Pressure on the Failure Characteristics of Coal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Guangxiang; Yin, Zhiqiang; Wang, Lei; Hu, Zuxiang; Zhu, Chuanqi

2017-07-01

Several experiments were conducted using self-developed equipment for visual gas-solid coupling mechanics. The raw coal specimens were stored in a container filled with gas (99% CH4) under different initial gas pressure conditions (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 MPa) for 24 h prior to testing. Then, the specimens were tested in a rock-testing machine, and the mechanical properties, surface deformation and failure modes were recorded using strain gauges, an acoustic emission (AE) system and a camera. An analysis of the fractals of fragments and dissipated energy was performed to understand the changes observed in the stress-strain and crack propagation behaviour of the gas-containing coal specimens. The results demonstrate that increased gas pressure leads to a reduction in the uniaxial compression strength (UCS) of gas-containing coal and the critical dilatancy stress. The AE, surface deformation and fractal analysis results show that the failure mode changes during the gas state. Interestingly, a higher initial gas pressure will cause the damaged cracks and failure of the gas-containing coal samples to become severe. The dissipated energy characteristic in the failure process of a gas-containing coal sample is analysed using a combination of fractal theory and energy principles. Using the theory of fracture mechanics, based on theoretical analyses and calculations, the stress intensity factor of crack tips increases as the gas pressure increases, which is the main cause of the reduction in the UCS and critical dilatancy stress and explains the influence of gas in coal failure. More serious failure is created in gas-containing coal under a high gas pressure and low exterior load.

What do healthcare workers think? A survey of facial protection equipment user preferences.

PubMed

Bryce, E; Forrester, L; Scharf, S; Eshghpour, M

2008-03-01

Data on healthcare workers'(HCWs) self-reported knowledge regarding selection of facial protection equipment, usage preferences and compliance are limited. We used a questionnaire on the use of facial protection equipment at a 700-bed adult tertiary care hospital employing approximately 7000 HCWs. Clinical areas targeted were those with frequent users of N95 respirators: intensive care unit, emergency room, respiratory services, and internal medicine. Respiratory therapists were also invited. In all, 137 questionnaires (68.5%) were returned. Most (72.8%) reported that training on the use of facial protection equipment was 'sufficient' to 'excellent'. The PFR95 and 3M 1860 Cone were used most frequently (56%) followed by the 3M 1870 Pocket (42%). While 95% reported having been fit-tested, only 60% were tested annually. PRF95 use exceeded the number of HCWs fit-tested for the item. Overall comfort and compliance scores were 13.6/20 and 21.5/25, respectively, for respirators and 7.7/10 and 18.5/25 for protective eyewear. No relationship between comfort and years of use of either respirators or protective eyewear was found. The results highlight potential failures in effectiveness in the use of personal protective equipment that could compromise HCW safety, and support observations that compliance in the workplace is usually less than in the research setting.

Gap state analysis in electric-field-induced band gap for bilayer graphene.

PubMed

Kanayama, Kaoru; Nagashio, Kosuke

2015-10-29

The origin of the low current on/off ratio at room temperature in dual-gated bilayer graphene field-effect transistors is considered to be the variable range hopping in gap states. However, the quantitative estimation of gap states has not been conducted. Here, we report the systematic estimation of the energy gap by both quantum capacitance and transport measurements and the density of states for gap states by the conductance method. An energy gap of ~ 250 meV is obtained at the maximum displacement field of ~ 3.1 V/nm, where the current on/off ratio of ~ 3 × 10(3) is demonstrated at 20 K. The density of states for the gap states are in the range from the latter half of 10(12) to 10(13) eV(-1) cm(-2). Although the large amount of gap states at the interface of high-k oxide/bilayer graphene limits the current on/off ratio at present, our results suggest that the reduction of gap states below ~ 10(11) eV(-1) cm(-2) by continual improvement of the gate stack makes bilayer graphene a promising candidate for future nanoelectronic device applications.

The failure of earthquake failure models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gomberg, J.

2001-01-01

In this study I show that simple heuristic models and numerical calculations suggest that an entire class of commonly invoked models of earthquake failure processes cannot explain triggering of seismicity by transient or "dynamic" stress changes, such as stress changes associated with passing seismic waves. The models of this class have the common feature that the physical property characterizing failure increases at an accelerating rate when a fault is loaded (stressed) at a constant rate. Examples include models that invoke rate state friction or subcritical crack growth, in which the properties characterizing failure are slip or crack length, respectively. Failure occurs when the rate at which these grow accelerates to values exceeding some critical threshold. These accelerating failure models do not predict the finite durations of dynamically triggered earthquake sequences (e.g., at aftershock or remote distances). Some of the failure models belonging to this class have been used to explain static stress triggering of aftershocks. This may imply that the physical processes underlying dynamic triggering differs or that currently applied models of static triggering require modification. If the former is the case, we might appeal to physical mechanisms relying on oscillatory deformations such as compaction of saturated fault gouge leading to pore pressure increase, or cyclic fatigue. However, if dynamic and static triggering mechanisms differ, one still needs to ask why static triggering models that neglect these dynamic mechanisms appear to explain many observations. If the static and dynamic triggering mechanisms are the same, perhaps assumptions about accelerating failure and/or that triggering advances the failure times of a population of inevitable earthquakes are incorrect.

Kidney Failure

MedlinePlus

... store Donate Now Give Monthly Give In Honor Kidney Failure (ESRD) Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments www.kidneyfund.org > ... Disaster preparedness Kidney failure/ESRD diet What causes kidney failure? In most cases, kidney failure is caused ...

Administration of Substances to Laboratory Animals: Equipment Considerations, Vehicle Selection, and Solute Preparation

PubMed Central

Turner, Patricia V; Pekow, Cynthia; Vasbinder, Mary Ann; Brabb, Thea

2011-01-01

Administration of substances to laboratory animals requires careful consideration and planning to optimize delivery of the agent to the animal while minimizing potential adverse experiences from the procedure. The equipment selected to deliver substances to animals depends on the length of the study and the nature of the material being administered. This selection provides a significant opportunity for refining animal treatment. Similarly, when substances are administered as solutions or suspensions, attention should be given to selection of vehicles and methods used for preparing the solutions and suspensions. The research team, veterinarian, technical personnel, and IACUC members should be aware of reasons underlying selection of equipment for substance delivery and should consider carefully how substances will be prepared and stored prior to administration to animals. Failure to consider these factors during experimental planning may result in unintentional adverse effects on experimental animals and confounded results. PMID:22330706

Apollo 16 Mission Anomaly Report No. 1: Oxidizer Deservicing Tank Failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The command module reaction control system is emptied of all remaining propellant using ground support equipment designed to provide an acid/base neutralization of the propellant in both the liquid and gaseous phases so that it may be disposed of safely. During the deactivation operation of the oxidizer from the Apollo 16 command module on 7 May 1972, the scrubber tank of the decontamination unit exploded, destroying the ground support equipment unit and damaging the building that housed the operation. Only minor injuries were received by the personnel in the area and the command module was not damaged. Test results show that the failure was caused by an insufficient quantity of neutralizer for the quantity of oxidizer. This insufficiency lead to exothermic nitration-type reactions which produced large quantities of gas at a very high rate and failed the decontamination tank.

Response analysis of curved bridge with unseating failure control system under near-fault ground motions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuo, Ye; Sun, Guangjun; Li, Hongjing

2018-01-01

Under the action of near-fault ground motions, curved bridges are prone to pounding, local damage of bridge components and even unseating. A multi-scale fine finite element model of a typical three-span curved bridge is established by considering the elastic-plastic behavior of piers and pounding effect of adjacent girders. The nonlinear time-history method is used to study the seismic response of the curved bridge equipped with unseating failure control system under the action of near-fault ground motion. An in-depth analysis is carried to evaluate the control effect of the proposed unseating failure control system. The research results indicate that under the near-fault ground motion, the seismic response of the curved bridge is strong. The unseating failure control system perform effectively to reduce the pounding force of the adjacent girders and the probability of deck unseating.

Gage Measures Recessed Gaps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zepeda, J. L.

1983-01-01

New tool measures separation between recessed parallel surfaces. Tiles have overhanging edges, tool designed to slip into gap from end so it extends through 0.040-inch crack. Measure gaps between 0.200 and 0.400 inch so gap fillers of proper thickness can be selected. Useful in numerous industrial situation involving gap measurements in inaccessable places.

Prevalence and associated factors for decreased appetite among patients with stable heart failure.

PubMed

Andreae, Christina; Strömberg, Anna; Årestedt, Kristofer

2016-06-01

To explore the prevalence of decreased appetite and factors associated with appetite among patients with stable heart failure. Decreased appetite is an important factor for the development of undernutrition among patients with heart failure, but there are knowledge gaps about prevalence and the factors related to appetite in this patient group. Observational, cross-sectional study. A total of 186 patients with mild to severe heart failure were consecutively recruited from three heart failure outpatient clinics. Data were obtained from medical records (heart failure diagnosis, comorbidity and medical treatment) and self-rated questionnaires (demographics, appetite, self-perceived health, symptoms of depression and sleep). Blood samples were taken to determine myocardial stress and nutrition status. Heart failure symptoms and cognitive function were assessed by clinical examinations. The Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire was used to assess self-reported appetite. Bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to explore factors associated with appetite. Seventy-one patients (38%) experienced a loss of appetite with a significant risk of developing weight loss. The final multiple regression model showed that age, symptoms of depression, insomnia, cognitive function and pharmacological treatment were associated with appetite, explaining 27% of the total variance. In this cross-sectional study, a large share of patients with heart failure was affected by decreased appetite, associated with demographic, psychosocial and medical factors. Loss of appetite is a prevalent problem among patients with heart failure that may lead to undernutrition. Health care professionals should routinely assess appetite and discuss patients' experiences of appetite, nutrition intake and body weight and give appropriate nutritional advice with respect to individual needs. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Interfacing LabVIEW With Instrumentation for Electronic Failure Analysis and Beyond

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buchanan, Randy K.; Bryan, Coleman; Ludwig, Larry

1996-01-01

The Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Engineering Workstation (LabVIEW) software is designed such that equipment and processes related to control systems can be operationally lined and controlled by the use of a computer. Various processes within the failure analysis laboratories of NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) demonstrate the need for modernization and, in some cases, automation, using LabVIEW. An examination of procedures and practices with the Failure Analaysis Laboratory resulted in the conclusion that some device was necessary to elevate the potential users of LabVIEW to an operational level in minimum time. This paper outlines the process involved in creating a tutorial application to enable personnel to apply LabVIEW to their specific projects. Suggestions for furthering the extent to which LabVIEW is used are provided in the areas of data acquisition and process control.

The Application of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Methodology to Intrathecal Drug Delivery for Pain Management

PubMed Central

Patel, Teresa; Fisher, Stanley P.

2016-01-01

Objective This study aimed to utilize failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) to transform clinical insights into a risk mitigation plan for intrathecal (IT) drug delivery in pain management. Methods The FMEA methodology, which has been used for quality improvement, was adapted to assess risks (i.e., failure modes) associated with IT therapy. Ten experienced pain physicians scored 37 failure modes in the following categories: patient selection for therapy initiation (efficacy and safety concerns), patient safety during IT therapy, and product selection for IT therapy. Participants assigned severity, probability, and detection scores for each failure mode, from which a risk priority number (RPN) was calculated. Failure modes with the highest RPNs (i.e., most problematic) were discussed, and strategies were proposed to mitigate risks. Results Strategic discussions focused on 17 failure modes with the most severe outcomes, the highest probabilities of occurrence, and the most challenging detection. The topic of the highest‐ranked failure mode (RPN = 144) was manufactured monotherapy versus compounded combination products. Addressing failure modes associated with appropriate patient and product selection was predicted to be clinically important for the success of IT therapy. Conclusions The methodology of FMEA offers a systematic approach to prioritizing risks in a complex environment such as IT therapy. Unmet needs and information gaps are highlighted through the process. Risk mitigation and strategic planning to prevent and manage critical failure modes can contribute to therapeutic success. PMID:27477689

Results Of Insulation Resistance Between Solar Cell String Gaps Without RTV Adhesive Grout After Electrostatic Discharge Tests With Cover Glass Flashover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoang, Bao; Wong, Frankie; Redick, Tod; Masui, Hirokazu; Endo, Taishi; Toyoda, Kazuhiro; Cho, Mengu

2011-10-01

A series of electrostatic discharge (ESD) tests was performed on solar array test coupons consisting of Advanced Triple Junction InGaP2/InGaAs/Ge solar cells. The motivation for these tests was to evaluate the effects of ESD on solar array design without room temperature vulcanized (RTV) adhesive grout between the string-to-string parallel gaps. To investigate the threshold of permanently sustained secondary arcs, various combinations of gap width, load voltage and string current were tested in a vacuum chamber equipped with an electron beam gun. This ESD test program included the ESD test circuit with simulated panel coverglass flashover. Although ESD events did not result in permanent sustained arcs, the insulation resistance between strings was found to decrease as the number of secondary arcs accumulated in the gap.

Mechanics of Fluid-Filled Interstitial Gaps. II. Gap Characteristics in Xenopus Embryonic Ectoderm.

PubMed

Barua, Debanjan; Parent, Serge E; Winklbauer, Rudolf

2017-08-22

The ectoderm of the Xenopus embryo is permeated by a network of channels that appear in histological sections as interstitial gaps. We characterized this interstitial space by measuring gap sizes, angles formed between adjacent cells, and curvatures of cell surfaces at gaps. From these parameters, and from surface-tension values measured previously, we estimated the values of critical mechanical variables that determine gap sizes and shapes in the ectoderm, using a general model of interstitial gap mechanics. We concluded that gaps of 1-4 μm side length can be formed by the insertion of extracellular matrix fluid at three-cell junctions such that cell adhesion is locally disrupted and a tension difference between cell-cell contacts and the free cell surface at gaps of 0.003 mJ/m 2 is generated. Furthermore, a cell hydrostatic pressure of 16.8 ± 1.7 Pa and an interstitial pressure of 3.9 ± 3.6 Pa, relative to the central blastocoel cavity of the embryo, was found to be consistent with the observed gap size and shape distribution. Reduction of cell adhesion by the knockdown of C-cadherin increased gap volume while leaving intracellular and interstitial pressures essentially unchanged. In both normal and adhesion-reduced ectoderm, cortical tension of the free cell surfaces at gaps does not return to the high values characteristic of the free surface of the whole tissue. Copyright © 2017 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Urinary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: equipment, techniques, and overview.

PubMed

Pfister, R C; Papanicolaou, N; Yoder, I C

1988-01-01

Second generation urinary lithotriptors are characterized by extensive technical alterations and significant equipment improvement in the functional, logistical, and medical aspects of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). These newer devices feature a water bath-free environment, a reduced anesthesia requirement, improved imaging, functional uses in addition to lithotripsy, or combinations thereof. Shock wave generation by spark gap, electromagnetic, piezoelectric and microexplosive techniques are related to their peak energy, frequency, and total energy capabilities which impacts on both anesthesia needs and the length and number of treatment sessions required to pulverize calculi. A master table summarizes the types of SW energy, coupling, imaging systems, patient transport, functional features, cost, and treatment effectiveness of 12 worldwide lithotriptors in various stages of investigative and clinical trials as monitored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of America.

Examining the Gaps between Teaching and Learning in the Technology Curriculum within Taiwan's 9-Year Articulated Curriculum Reform from the Perspective of Curriculum Implementation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Kuen-Yi; Chang, Liang-Te; Tsai, Fu-Hsing; Kao, Chia-Pin

2015-01-01

Curriculum reform has frequently focused on the curriculum-development stage, overlooking considerations regarding curriculum implementation, which has led to reform failure. In this study, consideration was placed primarily on the curriculum implementation stage. The gaps between teachers' and students' perceptions of content, learning…

Listing of Food Service Equipment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Sanitation Foundation, Ann Arbor, MI. Testing Lab.

A comprehensive listing of food service equipment including--(1) companies authorized to use the National Sanitation Foundation seal of approval, and (2) equipment listed as meeting NSF standards including soda fountains, spray-type dishwashers, dishwashing equipment, cooking equipment, commerical cooking and warming equipment, freezers,…

A gap analysis of meteorological requirements for commercial space operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stapleton, Nicholas James

Commercial space companies will soon be the primary method of launching people and supplies into orbit. Among the critical aspects of space launches are the meteorological concerns. Laws and regulations pertaining to meteorological considerations have been created to ensure the safety of the space industry and those living around spaceports; but, are they adequate? Perhaps the commercial space industry can turn to the commercial aviation industry to help answer that question. Throughout its history, the aviation industry has dealt with lessons learned from mishaps due to failures in understanding the significance of weather impacts on operations. Using lessons from the aviation industry, the commercial space industry can preempt such accidents and maintain viability as an industry. Using Lanicci's Strategic Planning Model, this study identified the weather needs of the commercial space industry by conducting three gap analyses. First, a comparative analysis was done between laws and regulations in commercial aviation and those in the commercial space industry pertaining to meteorological support, finding a "legislative gap" between the two industries, as no legal guarantee is in place to ensure weather products remain available to the commercial space industry. A second analysis was conducted between the meteorological services provided for the commercial aviation industry and commercial space industry, finding a gap at facilities not located at an established launch facility or airport. At such facilities, many weather observational technologies would not be present, and would need to be purchased by the company operating the spaceport facility. A third analysis was conducted between the meteorological products and regulations that are currently in existence, and those needed for safe operations within the commercial space industry, finding gaps in predicting lightning, electric field charge, and space weather. Recommendations to address these deficiencies have

Low-level laser therapy equipment needs calibration before clinical use

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machado de Senna, André; Machado-de-sena, Rosa Maria; Facundes, Arseni Lázaro; Barros Nepomuceno, Patrícia; Sávya Florentino, Wanilza; Olegário de Araújo, Ronyere

2018-04-01

Many factors can influence the radiant power delivered by the low-level laser therapy (LLLT) equipment, such as its cleaning and condition, as well as the use of plastic films for protecting the laser or even its time of use. Radiant power is an important factor to consider because it affects the amount of energy delivered to the target tissue. The difference between real radiant power (RRP) and nominal radiant power (NRP) may interfere in the expected results, because the delivered energy is different from the desired energy. Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the NRP with the RRP offered by LLLT devices under clinical conditions of use. Material and Methods: For data collection to this study, 61 LLLT devices used in private and public dental practices in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, were evaluated. Three consecutive power measurements were performed at one-minute intervals and then the average of the measured power was calculated. The RRP was compared to the NRP. Results: The equipment presented NRP from 30 to 500mW while RRP ranged from 17.3 to 107.0mW. Discussion and Conclusion: The mean power measured in clinical conditions of use of the laser equipment was different from the nominal power reported by the manufacturers of the devices (p<0,01). The RRP ranged between 12.92% and 107% of NRP. This fact is worrisome, since one of the most important parameters for the success of the treatment of an injury using LLLT is the energy (power x time) delivered. These findings reinforce the need of calibrating the equipment before each laser application in order to avoid failures in the therapeutic conduct.

Designing and Implementation of a Heart Failure Telemonitoring System

PubMed Central

Safdari, Reza; Jafarpour, Maryam; Mokhtaran, Mehrshad; Naderi, Nasim

2017-01-01

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify patients at-risk, enhancing self-care management of HF patients at home and reduce the disease exacerbations and readmissions. Method: In this research according to standard heart failure guidelines and Semi-structured interviews with 10 heart failure Specialists, a draft heart failure rule set for alerts and patient instructions was developed. Eventually, the clinical champion of the project vetted the rule set. Also we designed a transactional system to enhance monitoring and follow up of CHF patients. With this system, CHF patients are required to measure their physiological measurements (vital signs and body weight) every day and to submit their symptoms using the app. additionally, based on their data, they will receive customized notifications and motivation messages to classify risk of disease exacerbation. The architecture of system comprised of six major components: 1) a patient data collection suite including a mobile app and website; 2) Data Receiver; 3) Database; 4) a Specialists expert Panel; 5) Rule engine classifier; 6) Notifier engine. Results: This system has implemented in Iran for the first time and we are currently in the testing phase with 10 patients to evaluate the technical performance of our system. The developed expert system generates alerts and instructions based on the patient’s data and the notify engine notifies responsible nurses and physicians and sometimes patients. Detailed analysis of those results will be reported in a future report. Conclusion: This study is based on the design of a telemonitoring system for heart failure self-care that intents to overcome the gap that occurs when patients discharge from the hospital and tries to accurate requirement of readmission. A rule set for classifying and resulting automated alerts and patient instructions for heart failure telemonitoring was developed. It also facilitates daily communication among patients and heart failure

Hyperbaric Chamber Equipment: A Consolidated Equipment List from Selected Multiplace Hyperbaric Facilities.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

carbon dioxide scrubbers , air conditioning, communications, lighting, and fire detecting and fire extinguishing systems. Medical support equipment was...10 14 Humidity...............................11 5. Hydrocarb on...........................11 B. Carbon Dioxide Scrubbers .....................11 C...and ancillary equipment included gas/vapor monitoring equipment, carbon dioxide scrubbers , air conditioning, communications, lighting, and fire

EPA’s Response Equipment

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA maintains a variety of equipment to respond to hazardous substance emergencies such as releases or oil spills regardless of their nature, size, or location. This include ASPECT, PHILIS, Equipment Module (EM), and personal protective equipment.

Deterministic multidimensional nonuniform gap sampling.

PubMed

Worley, Bradley; Powers, Robert

2015-12-01

Born from empirical observations in nonuniformly sampled multidimensional NMR data relating to gaps between sampled points, the Poisson-gap sampling method has enjoyed widespread use in biomolecular NMR. While the majority of nonuniform sampling schemes are fully randomly drawn from probability densities that vary over a Nyquist grid, the Poisson-gap scheme employs constrained random deviates to minimize the gaps between sampled grid points. We describe a deterministic gap sampling method, based on the average behavior of Poisson-gap sampling, which performs comparably to its random counterpart with the additional benefit of completely deterministic behavior. We also introduce a general algorithm for multidimensional nonuniform sampling based on a gap equation, and apply it to yield a deterministic sampling scheme that combines burst-mode sampling features with those of Poisson-gap schemes. Finally, we derive a relationship between stochastic gap equations and the expectation value of their sampling probability densities. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mechanism of magnetic liquid flowing in the magnetic liquid seal gap of reciprocating shaft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Decai; Chui, Haichun; Yang, Qingxin

2003-04-01

In order to solve the problems that exist in the magnetic liquid seal of reciprocating shaft, we have set up an experimental facility, which composes a camera, a microscope, a step-by-step motor, a pin roller screw, a reciprocating motion shaft, pole pieces, a permanent magnet and the magnetic liquid in the seal gap. Through the optical technology and image process of the experimental facility, we have studied the magnetic liquid flow in the seal gap when the reciprocating shaft moves with different velocities and strokes, this study especially concentrates on 1) the regular pattern of such flow; 2) the loss quantity of magnetic liquid caused by the reciprocating motion shaft; 3) the failure reasons of this magnetic liquid seal and 4) the design of a new structure for the magnetic liquid seal of reciprocating shaft. The application indicates that the new structure is very effective in some occasions.

Beginning with the End in Mind: The School District Office Leadership Role in Closing the Graduation Gap for At-Risk Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mac Iver, Martha Abele

2010-01-01

Increasing high school graduation rates is a systemic issue, not just a school level issue. The district office therefore has a key role to play in narrowing the graduation gap and ensuring that more students earn their high school diplomas well-equipped for college or career. This article focuses first on what school districts have typically done…

Kidney (Renal) Failure

MedlinePlus

... News Physician Resources Professions Site Index A-Z Kidney Failure Kidney failure, also known as renal failure, ... evaluated? How is kidney failure treated? What is kidney (renal) failure? The kidneys are designed to maintain ...

The patient perspective: Quality of life in advanced heart failure with frequent hospitalisations.

PubMed

Nieminen, Markku S; Dickstein, Kenneth; Fonseca, Cândida; Serrano, Jose Magaña; Parissis, John; Fedele, Francesco; Wikström, Gerhard; Agostoni, Piergiuseppe; Atar, Shaul; Baholli, Loant; Brito, Dulce; Colet, Josep Comín; Édes, István; Gómez Mesa, Juan E; Gorjup, Vojka; Garza, Eduardo Herrera; González Juanatey, José R; Karanovic, Nenad; Karavidas, Apostolos; Katsytadze, Igor; Kivikko, Matti; Matskeplishvili, Simon; Merkely, Béla; Morandi, Fabrizio; Novoa, Angel; Oliva, Fabrizio; Ostadal, Petr; Pereira-Barretto, Antonio; Pollesello, Piero; Rudiger, Alain; Schwinger, Robert H G; Wieser, Manfred; Yavelov, Igor; Zymliński, Robert

2015-07-15

End of life is an unfortunate but inevitable phase of the heart failure patients' journey. It is often preceded by a stage in the progression of heart failure defined as advanced heart failure, and characterised by poor quality of life and frequent hospitalisations. In clinical practice, the efficacy of treatments for advanced heart failure is often assessed by parameters such as clinical status, haemodynamics, neurohormonal status, and echo/MRI indices. From the patients' perspective, however, quality-of-life-related parameters, such as functional capacity, exercise performance, psychological status, and frequency of re-hospitalisations, are more significant. The effects of therapies and interventions on these parameters are, however, underrepresented in clinical trials targeted to assess advanced heart failure treatment efficacy, and data are overall scarce. This is possibly due to a non-universal definition of the quality-of-life-related endpoints, and to the difficult standardisation of the data collection. These uncertainties also lead to difficulties in handling trade-off decisions between quality of life and survival by patients, families and healthcare providers. A panel of 34 experts in the field of cardiology and intensive cardiac care from 21 countries around the world convened for reviewing the existing data on quality-of-life in patients with advanced heart failure, discussing and reaching a consensus on the validity and significance of quality-of-life assessment methods. Gaps in routine care and research, which should be addressed, were identified. Finally, published data on the effects of current i.v. vasoactive therapies such as inotropes, inodilators, and vasodilators on quality-of-life in advanced heart failure patients were analysed. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Failure of health care reform in the USA.

PubMed

Mechanic, D

1996-01-01

The failure of health reform in the USA reflects the individualism and lack of community responsibility of the American political culture, the power of interest groups, and the extraordinary process President Clinton followed in developing his highly elaborate plan. Despite considerable initial public support and a strong start, the reform effort was damaged by the cumbersome process, the complexity of the plan itself, and the unfamiliarity of key components such as alliances for pooled buying of health insurance. In addition, the alienation of important interest groups and the loss of presidential initiative in framing the public discussion as a result of international, domestic and personal issues contributed to the failure in developing public consensus. This paper considers an alternative strategy that would have built on the extension of the Medicare program as a way of exploring the possibilities and barriers to achieving health care reform. Such an approach would build on already familiar and popular pre-existing components. The massive losses in the most recent election and large budget cuts planned by the Republican majority makes it unlikely that gaps in insurance or comprehensiveness of coverage will be corrected in the foreseeable future.

Improving the Repair Planning System for Mining Equipment on the Basis of Non-destructive Evaluation Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drygin, Michael; Kuryshkin, Nicholas

2017-11-01

The article tells about forming a new concept of scheduled preventive repair system of the equipment at coal mining enterprises, based on the use of modem non-destructive evaluation methods. The approach to the solution for this task is based on the system-oriented analysis of the regulatory documentation, non-destructive evaluation methods and means, experimental studies with compilation of statistics and subsequent grapho-analytical analysis. The main result of the work is a feasible explanation of using non-destructive evaluation methods within the current scheduled preventive repair system, their high efficiency and the potential of gradual transition to condition-based maintenance. In practice wide use of nondestructive evaluation means w;ill allow to reduce significantly the number of equipment failures and to repair only the nodes in pre-accident condition. Considering the import phase-out policy, the solution for this task will allow to adapt the SPR system to Russian market economy conditions and give the opportunity of commercial move by reducing the expenses for maintenance of Russian-made and imported equipment.

Exercise Equipment: Neutral Buoyancy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shackelford, Linda; Valle, Paul

2016-01-01

Load Bearing Equipment for Neutral Buoyancy (LBE-NB) is an exercise frame that holds two exercising subjects in position as they apply counter forces to each other for lower extremity and spine loading resistance exercises. Resistance exercise prevents bone loss on ISS, but the ISS equipment is too massive for use in exploration craft. Integrating the human into the load directing, load generating, and motion control functions of the exercise equipment generates safe exercise loads with less equipment mass and volume.

Determining the ’Gap’

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-01

Army training doctrine, and by adjusting the curriculum of the officer core in order to close the knowledge gap . The author closes by concluding...fight. The research to find these gaps begins with a process trace of doctrine from 1976 to the present, starting with the advent of Active Defense...discovering the one gap , three were found. Upon further examination below, even these initially perceived gaps dissipate under close scrutiny. Gap

Mechanics of Fluid-Filled Interstitial Gaps. I. Modeling Gaps in a Compact Tissue.

PubMed

Parent, Serge E; Barua, Debanjan; Winklbauer, Rudolf

2017-08-22

Fluid-filled interstitial gaps are a common feature of compact tissues held together by cell-cell adhesion. Although such gaps can in principle be the result of weak, incomplete cell attachment, adhesion is usually too strong for this to occur. Using a mechanical model of tissue cohesion, we show that, instead, a combination of local prevention of cell adhesion at three-cell junctions by fluidlike extracellular material and a reduction of cortical tension at the gap surface are sufficient to generate stable gaps. The size and shape of these interstitial gaps depends on the mechanical tensions between cells and at gap surfaces, and on the difference between intracellular and interstitial pressures that is related to the volume of the interstitial fluid. As a consequence of the dependence on tension/tension ratios, the presence of gaps does not depend on the absolute strength of cell adhesion, and similar gaps are predicted to occur in tissues of widely differing cohesion. Tissue mechanical parameters can also vary within and between cells of a given tissue, generating asymmetrical gaps. Within limits, these can be approximated by symmetrical gaps. Copyright © 2017 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Extension in Tough Times--Addressing Failures in Public and Private Extension, Lessons from the Tasmanian Wool Industry, Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hunt, Warren; Coutts, Jeff

2009-01-01

This paper reports research on the impact of introducing a range of extension approaches into the wool-growing regions of Tasmania Australia to meet an emerging knowledge and skills gap in the sector. The wool-growing industry of the state has experienced minimal government extension support for over 15 years. There is a failure in both private…

Respiratory Failure

MedlinePlus

... of oxygen in the blood, it's called hypoxemic (HI-pok-SE-mik) respiratory failure. When respiratory failure ... carbon dioxide in the blood, it's called hypercapnic (HI-per-KAP-nik) respiratory failure. Causes Diseases and ...

Bone Marrow Failure Secondary to Cytokinesis Failure

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT Fanconi anemia (FA) is a human genetic disease characterized by a progressive bone marrow failure and heightened...Fanconi anemia (FA) is the most commonly inherited bone marrow failure syndrome. FA patients develop bone marrow failure during the first decade of...experiments proposed in specific aims 1- 3 (Tasks 1-3). Task 1: To determine whether HSCs from Fanconi anemia mouse models have increased cytokinesis

Study to define low voltage and low temperature operating limits of the Pioneer 10/11 Meteoroid Detection Equipment (MDE) system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, C. D.

1975-01-01

The Pioneer 10/11 meteoroid detection equipment (MDE) pressure cells were tested at liquid nitrogen (LN2) and liquid helium (LHe) temperatures with the excitation voltage controlled as a parameter. The cells failed by firing because of pressurizing gas condensation as the temperature was lowered from LN2 to LHe temperature and when raised from LHe temperature. A study was conducted to determine cell pressure as a function of temperature, and cell failure was estimated as a function of temperature and excitation voltage. The electronic system was also studied, and a profile of primary spacecraft voltage (nominally 28 Vdc) and temperature corresponding to electronic system failure was determined experimentally.

Wnt-related SynGAP1 is a neuroprotective factor of glutamatergic synapses against Aβ oligomers

PubMed Central

Codocedo, Juan F.; Montecinos-Oliva, Carla; Inestrosa, Nibaldo C.

2015-01-01

Wnt-5a is a synaptogenic factor that modulates glutamatergic synapses and generates neuroprotection against Aβ oligomers. It is known that Wnt-5a plays a key role in the adult nervous system and synaptic plasticity. Emerging evidence indicates that miRNAs are actively involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity. Recently, we showed that Wnt-5a is able to control the expression of several miRNAs including miR-101b, which has been extensively studied in carcinogenesis. However, its role in brain is just beginning to be explored. That is why we aim to study the relationship between Wnt-5a and miRNAs in glutamatergic synapses. We performed in silico analysis which predicted that miR-101b may inhibit the expression of synaptic GTPase-Activating Protein (SynGAP1), a Ras GTPase-activating protein critical for the development of cognition and proper synaptic function. Through overexpression of miR-101b, we showed that miR-101b is able to regulate the expression of SynGAP1 in an hippocampal cell line. Moreover and consistent with a decrease of miR-101b, Wnt-5a enhances SynGAP expression in cultured hippocampal neurons. Additionally, Wnt-5a increases the activity of SynGAP in a time-dependent manner, with a similar kinetic to CaMKII phosphorylation. This also, correlates with a modulation in the SynGAP clusters density. On the other hand, Aβ oligomers permanently decrease the number of SynGAP clusters. Interestingly, when neurons are co-incubated with Wnt-5a and Aβ oligomers, we do not observe the detrimental effect of Aβ oligomers, indicating that, Wnt-5a protects neurons from the synaptic failure triggered by Aβ oligomers. Overall, our findings suggest that SynGAP1 is part of the signaling pathways induced by Wnt-5a. Therefore, possibility exists that SynGAP is involved in the synaptic protection against Aβ oligomers. PMID:26124704

21 CFR 225.30 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE FOR MEDICATED FEEDS Construction and Maintenance of Facilities and Equipment § 225.30 Equipment. (a) Equipment which is designed to perform its intended function and is properly installed and used is essential to the manufacture of medicated feeds. Such equipment permits...

23 CFR 140.910 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Equipment. 140.910 Section 140.910 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PAYMENT PROCEDURES REIMBURSEMENT Reimbursement for Railroad Work § 140.910 Equipment. (a) Company owned equipment. Cost of company-owned equipment may be...

23 CFR 140.910 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Equipment. 140.910 Section 140.910 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PAYMENT PROCEDURES REIMBURSEMENT Reimbursement for Railroad Work § 140.910 Equipment. (a) Company owned equipment. Cost of company-owned equipment may be...

23 CFR 140.910 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Equipment. 140.910 Section 140.910 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PAYMENT PROCEDURES REIMBURSEMENT Reimbursement for Railroad Work § 140.910 Equipment. (a) Company owned equipment. Cost of company-owned equipment may be...

23 CFR 140.910 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Equipment. 140.910 Section 140.910 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PAYMENT PROCEDURES REIMBURSEMENT Reimbursement for Railroad Work § 140.910 Equipment. (a) Company owned equipment. Cost of company-owned equipment may be...

Application of the aviation black box principle in pediatric cardiac surgery: tracking all failures in the pediatric cardiac operating room.

PubMed

Bowermaster, Rebecca; Miller, Megan; Ashcraft, Traci; Boyd, Michael; Brar, Anoop; Manning, Peter; Eghtesady, Pirooz

2015-02-01

Cardiac surgical procedures are complex and require the coordinated action of many. This creates the potential for small failures that could be the substrate for subsequent morbidity or mortality. High-reliability science suggests that preoccupation with small failures can lead to improved outcomes. Failures of all magnitudes (ie, events) were captured within the pediatric cardiac operating room starting with a single surgeon in April 2008. As the surgical team became more familiar with the process, failure recording was extended to all surgeons and all surgical procedures performed until the conclusion of the study in December 2010. New recording processes were developed and used on a rolling basis during this study. With systematic capture, event rates increased (from occurring within 20% to 50% of operative procedures). Although we identified 9 recurrent patterns, 2 categories (ie, Equipment and Patient Instability) accounted for almost half of the events (45%). The greatest number of events occurred during the prebypass period (40.2%), compared with bypass (20.1%) and postbypass (32.3%) periods. These events were mainly difficulties in access (31.8%), equipment (42.4%), and patient instability (33.3%) in each of the epochs, respectively. Of all events, 7.3% occurred during nonbypass cases, 30.6% of these were communication events. Implementation of this initiative led to recognition of major system-wide issues (eg, need for change in the blood-product acquisition process). Preoccupation with all failures in the operating room can reveal important information about the operating room and perioperative microenvironment that can prompt substantive process changes both locally and within the larger health system. Copyright © 2015 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mobile Equipment Expands Inventory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McGough, Robert L.; And Others

1978-01-01

Describes the Mobile Equipment Modules (MEM) system in Duluth, Minnesota. MEM is a way to hold down costs and increase learning opportunities by consolidating purchases of expensive shop equipment within the school district, grouping the equipment in modules, and scheduling and moving it from school to school as needed. (MF)

Approved Airport Equipment

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-06-06

This advisory circular (AC) administratively cancels AC 150/5345-1U, Approved : Airport Equipment dated February 20, 1989, and directs replacement of any : reference to AC 150/5345-1 with AC 150/5345-53, Airport Lighting Equipment : Certification Pro...

Small-Gap Flows

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-04-01

I TV N 4 NAVAL ARCIETUR & OFFSHORE ENGINEERING SMALL- GAP FLOWSti E 0.TUCK01 REPORT NO- M!AOL 34-1 CONTRACT NJU1-𔃾-K-0026 APRIL 1984 let.? UNIVERSMn...34’OF CALIFORNIA# BERKELEY, CA 5.1720 ft (45 642-141 SMALL- GAP FLOWS BY E. 0. TUCK REPORT No. NAUE 84-1 CONTRACT N00014-84-K-OU26 APRIL i984...34small- gap " theme.Chapters 1-4 were originally presented in the form of a lecture series in the Department of Naval Architecture and Offshore

141. ARAIII Equipment location plan. Includes list of equipment and ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

141. ARA-III Equipment location plan. Includes list of equipment and location in reactor, control, and other buildings. Aerojet-general 880-area/GCRE-101-U-1. Date: February 1958. Ineel index code no. 063-0101-65-013-192508. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Army Reactors Experimental Area, Scoville, Butte County, ID

VIEW OF ULTRASONIC TESTING EQUIPMENT IN BUILDING 991. THIS EQUIPMENT ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

VIEW OF ULTRA-SONIC TESTING EQUIPMENT IN BUILDING 991. THIS EQUIPMENT NON-DESTRUCTIVELY TESTS WEAPONS COMPONENTS FOR FLAWS AND CRACKS. (9/11/85) - Rocky Flats Plant, Final Assembly & Shipping, Eastern portion of plant site, south of Spruce Avenue, east of Tenth Street & north of Central Avenue, Golden, Jefferson County, CO

Power Product Equipment Technician: Equipment Systems. Teacher Edition. Student Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hilley, Robert

This packet contains teacher and student editions on the topic of equipment systems, intended for the preparation of power product equipment technicians. This publication contains seven units: (1) principles of power transmission; (2) mechanical drive systems; (3) principles of fluid power; (4) hydraulic and pneumatic drive systems; (5) wheel and…

Free-world microelectronic manufacturing equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kilby, J. S.; Arnold, W. H.; Booth, W. T.; Cunningham, J. A.; Hutcheson, J. D.; Owen, R. W.; Runyan, W. R.; McKenney, Barbara L.; McGrain, Moira; Taub, Renee G.

1988-12-01

Equipment is examined and evaluated for the manufacture of microelectronic integrated circuit devices and sources for that equipment within the Free World. Equipment suitable for the following are examined: single-crystal silicon slice manufacturing and processing; required lithographic processes; wafer processing; device packaging; and test of digital integrated circuits. Availability of the equipment is also discussed, now and in the near future. Very adequate equipment for most stages of the integrated circuit manufacturing process is available from several sources, in different countries, although the best and most widely used versions of most manufacturing equipment are made in the United States or Japan. There is also an active market in used equipment, suitable for manufacture of capable integrated circuits with performance somewhat short of the present state of the art.

Five years' experience in a (really) rural teleradiology practice. Was it worth it? The successes and the failures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Telepak, Robert J.; Freede, Emily; Jaramillo, Richard E.; Alverson, Dale C.

1998-07-01

During the past 5 years (1992 - 1997) the Department of Radiology of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center has developed an active teleradiology program. Contracts are in place to provide both routine and emergency image interpretations 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Several rural hospitals are served as well as the Navajo Indian Health Service. Areas of success: include significantly improved radiologic service to the rural sites, specialty consultations to general radiologists, successful teaching of teleradiology practice to radiology residents and staff, good diagnostic quality images, a small but real profit, improved quality assurance for the rural sites, and no significant medical-legal problems. Failures include: significant telecommunications problems, lack of acceptance and utilization by some of the rural sites, poor QA compliance by some sites, a long period of disappointing technical support by equipment vendors, and slow acceptance of DICOM by equipment manufacturers. The successes outweigh the failures. We would do it again -- but somewhat differently. We offer advice to institutions developing a new rural teleradiology operation.

49 CFR 19.34 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Equipment. 19.34 Section 19.34 Transportation... Requirements Property Standards § 19.34 Equipment. (a) Title to equipment acquired by a recipient with Federal... use equipment acquired with Federal funds to provide services to non-Federal outside organizations for...

Undecidability of the spectral gap.

PubMed

Cubitt, Toby S; Perez-Garcia, David; Wolf, Michael M

2015-12-10

The spectral gap--the energy difference between the ground state and first excited state of a system--is central to quantum many-body physics. Many challenging open problems, such as the Haldane conjecture, the question of the existence of gapped topological spin liquid phases, and the Yang-Mills gap conjecture, concern spectral gaps. These and other problems are particular cases of the general spectral gap problem: given the Hamiltonian of a quantum many-body system, is it gapped or gapless? Here we prove that this is an undecidable problem. Specifically, we construct families of quantum spin systems on a two-dimensional lattice with translationally invariant, nearest-neighbour interactions, for which the spectral gap problem is undecidable. This result extends to undecidability of other low-energy properties, such as the existence of algebraically decaying ground-state correlations. The proof combines Hamiltonian complexity techniques with aperiodic tilings, to construct a Hamiltonian whose ground state encodes the evolution of a quantum phase-estimation algorithm followed by a universal Turing machine. The spectral gap depends on the outcome of the corresponding 'halting problem'. Our result implies that there exists no algorithm to determine whether an arbitrary model is gapped or gapless, and that there exist models for which the presence or absence of a spectral gap is independent of the axioms of mathematics.

9 CFR 590.502 - Equipment and utensils; PCB-containing equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Equipment and utensils; PCB-containing equipment. 590.502 Section 590.502 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EGG PRODUCTS INSPECTION INSPECTION OF EGGS AND EGG PRODUCTS (EGG PRODUCTS INSPECTION ACT) Sanitary, Processing, and Facilit...

Adaptive Recreational Equipment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schilling, Mary Lou, Ed.

1983-01-01

Designed for teachers interested in therapeutic recreation, the document lists sources of adaptive recreational equipment and their homemade counterparts. Brief descriptions for ordering or constructing recreational equipment for the visually impaired, poorly coordinated, physically impaired, and mentally retarded are given. Specific adaptations…

Gaps in the evidence about companion animals and human health: some suggestions for progress.

PubMed

Chur-Hansen, Anna; Stern, Cindy; Winefield, Helen

2010-09-01

A number of researchers have explored the relationship between companion animal ownership and human physical and psychological health. Results have been inconclusive, with positive, neutral and negative effects variously reported in the literature. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms of any influence are frustratingly unclear. A number of conceptual and methodological weaknesses have hampered progress in our understanding of how companion animals may impact upon human health. The two evidence gaps discussed in this paper, with suggestions for needed next steps, are: (i) a preponderance of anecdotal reports and cross-sectional research designs; and (ii) failure to control for a host of other known influences on human health including health habits, level of attachment to the companion animal and human social supports. Finally, an example of these gaps is provided in relation to the literature on the effects of animals on elderly nursing home residents. © 2010 The Authors. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Mechanism of magnetic liquid flowing in the magnetic liquid seal gap of reciprocating shaft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Decai; Xu, Haiping; He, Xinzhi; Lan, Huiqing

2005-03-01

In order to solve the problems that exist in the magnetic liquid seal of reciprocating shaft, we have set up an experimental facility, which composes a camera, microscope, step-by-step motor, pin roller screw, reciprocating motion shaft, pole pieces, permanent magnet and the magnetic liquid in the seal gap. Through the optical technology and image process of the experimental facility, we have studied the magnetic liquid flow in the seal gap when the reciprocating shaft moves with different velocities and strokes. This study specially concentrates on: (1) the regular pattern of such flow; (2) the loss quantity of magnetic liquid caused by the reciprocating motion shaft; (3) the failure reasons of this magnetic liquid seal; and (4) the design of a new structure for the magnetic liquid seal of reciprocating shaft. The application indicates that the new structure is very effective in some occasions. The new structure was accepted as the state patent in 2001 and authenticated as the achievement in the scientific research in 2002.

Magellan/Galileo solder joint failure analysis and recommendations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, Ronald G., Jr.

1989-01-01

On or about November 10, 1988 an open circuit solder joint was discovered in the Magellan Radar digital unit (DFU) during integration testing at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). A detailed analysis of the cause of the failure was conducted at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory leading to the successful repair of many pieces of affected electronic hardware on both the Magellan and Galileo spacecraft. The problem was caused by the presence of high thermal coefficient of expansion heat sink and conformal coating materials located in the large (0.055 inch) gap between Dual Inline Packages (DIPS) and the printed wiring board. The details of the observed problems are described and recommendations are made for improved design and testing activities in the future.

[Dampness in an electric plug as a cause of electricity failure in an operation theatre].

PubMed

Andersen, C; Pold, R; Nielsen, H D

2000-02-07

Two cases of electricity failure in an operation theatre during open heart surgery are discussed. The fuse for the patient monitor, ventilator, surgery instruments and heart lung machine was blown. Short-circuit was established because of humidity in the plug of the heater for fluid and blood. We recommend sealed or founded plugs and that anaesthesia equipment should not be used as an electrical supply for other electronic apparatus.

"Mind the gap"--the impact of variations in the duration of the treatment gap and overall treatment time in the first UK Anal Cancer Trial (ACT I).

PubMed

Glynne-Jones, Rob; Sebag-Montefiore, David; Adams, Richard; McDonald, Alec; Gollins, Simon; James, Roger; Northover, John M A; Meadows, Helen M; Jitlal, Mark

2011-12-01

The United Kingdom Coordinating Committee on Cancer Research anal cancer trial demonstrated the benefit of combined modality treatment (CMT) using radiotherapy (RT), infusional 5-fluorouracil, and mitomycin C over RT alone. The present study retrospectively examines the impact of the recommended 6-week treatment gap and local RT boost on long-term outcome. A total of 577 patients were randomly assigned RT alone or CMT. After a 6-week gap responders received a boost using either additional external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) (15 Gy) or iridium-192 implant (25 Gy). The effect of boost, the gap between initial treatment (RT alone or CMT) and boost (Tgap), and overall treatment time (OTT) were examined for their impact on outcome. Among the 490 good responders, 436 (89%) patients received a boost after initial treatment. For boosted patients, the risk of anal cancer death decreased by 38% (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.62, 99% CI 0.35-1.12; p=0.04), but there was no evidence this was mediated via a reduction in locoregional failure (LRF) (HR: 0.90, 99% CI 0.48-1.68; p=0.66). The difference in Tgap was only 1.4 days longer for EBRT boost, compared with implant (p=0.51). OTT was longer by 6.1 days for EBRT (p=0.006). Tgap and OTT were not associated with LRF. Radionecrosis was reported in 8% of boosted, compared with 0% in unboosted patients (p=0.03). These results question the benefit of a radiotherapy boost after a 6-week gap. The higher doses of a boost may contribute more to an increased risk of late morbidity, rather than local control. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Waste electrical and electronic equipment management and Basel Convention compliance in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations.

PubMed

Ghosh, Sadhan Kumar; Debnath, Biswajit; Baidya, Rahul; De, Debashree; Li, Jinhui; Ghosh, Sannidhya Kumar; Zheng, Lixia; Awasthi, Abhishek Kumar; Liubarskaia, Maria A; Ogola, Jason S; Tavares, André Neiva

2016-08-01

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations account for one-quarter of the world's land area, having more than 40% of the world's population, and only one-quarter of the world gross national income. Hence the study and review of waste electrical and electronic equipment management systems in BRICS nations is of relevance. It has been observed from the literature that there are studies available comparing two or three country's waste electrical and electronic equipment status, while the study encompassing the BRICS nations considering in a single framework is scant. The purpose of this study is to analyse the existing waste electrical and electronic equipment management systems and status of compliance to Basel convention in the BRICS nations, noting possible lessons from matured systems, such as those in the European Union EU) and USA. The study introduced a novel framework for a waste electrical and electronic equipment management system that may be adopted in BRICS nations and revealed that BRICS countries have many similar types of challenges. The study also identified some significant gaps with respect to the management systems and trans-boundary movement of waste electrical and electronic equipment, which may attract researchers for further research. © The Author(s) 2016.

45 CFR 74.34 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Equipment. 74.34 Section 74.34 Public Welfare... COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATIONS Post-Award Requirements Property Standards § 74.34 Equipment. (a) Title to equipment... section. (b)(1) The recipient shall not use equipment acquired with HHS funds to provide services to non...

43 CFR 12.934 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 43 Public Lands: Interior 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Equipment. 12.934 Section 12.934 Public....934 Equipment. (a) Title to equipment acquired by a recipient with Federal funds shall vest in the recipient, subject to conditions of this section. (b) The recipient shall not use equipment acquired with...

45 CFR 74.34 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... equipment with a current per unit fair market value of $5000 or more, the recipient may retain the equipment... the original project or program to the current fair market value of the equipment. If the recipient... project or program to the current fair market value of the equipment, plus any reasonable shipping or...

A biomechanical comparison of 2 transosseous-equivalent double-row rotator cuff repair techniques using bioabsorbable anchors: cyclic loading and failure behavior.

PubMed

Spang, Jeffrey T; Buchmann, Stefan; Brucker, Peter U; Kouloumentas, Panos; Obst, Tobias; Schröder, Manuel; Burgkart, Rainer; Imhoff, Andreas B

2009-08-01

A novel double-row configuration was compared with a traditional double-row configuration for rotator cuff repair. In 10 matched-pair sheep shoulders in vitro repair was performed with either a double-row technique with corkscrew suture anchors for the medial row and insertion anchors for the lateral row (group A) or a double-row technique with a new tape-like suture material with insertion anchors for both the medial and lateral rows (group B). Each specimen underwent cyclic loading from 10 to 150 N for 100 cycles, followed by unidirectional failure testing. Gap formation and strain within the repair area for the first and last cycles were analyzed with a video digitizing system, and stiffness and failure load were determined from the load-elongation curve. The results were similar for the 2 repair types. There was no significant difference between the ultimate failure loads of the 2 techniques (421 +/- 150 N in group A and 408 +/- 66 N in group B, P = .31) or the stiffness of the 2 techniques (84 +/- 26 N/mm in group A and 99 +/- 20 N/mm in group B, P = .07). In addition, gap formation was not different between the repair types. Strain over the repair area was also not different between the repair types. Both tested rotator cuff repair techniques had high failure loads, limited gap formation, and acceptable strain patterns. No significant difference was found between the novel and conventional double-row repair types. Two double-row techniques-one with corkscrew suture anchors for the medial row and insertion anchors for the lateral row and one with insertion anchors for both the medial and lateral rows-provided excellent biomechanical profiles at time 0 for double-row repairs in a sheep model. Although the sheep model may not directly correspond to in vivo conditions, all-insertion anchor double-row constructs are worthy of further investigation.

Risk assessment of component failure modes and human errors using a new FMECA approach: application in the safety analysis of HDR brachytherapy.

PubMed

Giardina, M; Castiglia, F; Tomarchio, E

2014-12-01

Failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) is a safety technique extensively used in many different industrial fields to identify and prevent potential failures. In the application of traditional FMECA, the risk priority number (RPN) is determined to rank the failure modes; however, the method has been criticised for having several weaknesses. Moreover, it is unable to adequately deal with human errors or negligence. In this paper, a new versatile fuzzy rule-based assessment model is proposed to evaluate the RPN index to rank both component failure and human error. The proposed methodology is applied to potential radiological over-exposure of patients during high-dose-rate brachytherapy treatments. The critical analysis of the results can provide recommendations and suggestions regarding safety provisions for the equipment and procedures required to reduce the occurrence of accidental events.

Is 30-Day Mortality after Admission for Heart Failure an Appropriate Metric for Quality?

PubMed

Faillace, Robert T; Yost, Gregory W; Chugh, Yashasvi; Adams, Jeffrey; Verma, Beni R; Said, Zaid; Sayed, Ibrahim Ismail; Honushefsky, Ashley; Doddamani, Sanjay; Berger, Peter B

2018-02-01

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) model for publicly reporting national 30-day-risk-adjusted mortality rates for patients admitted with heart failure fails to include clinical variables known to impact total mortality or take into consideration the culture of end-of-life care. We sought to determine if those variables were related to the 30-day mortality of heart failure patients at Geisinger Medical Center. Electronic records were searched for patients with a diagnosis of heart failure who died from any cause during hospitalization or within 30 days of admission. There were 646 heart-failure-related admissions among 530 patients (1.2 admissions/patient). Sixty-seven of the 530 (13%) patients died: 35 (52%) died during their hospitalization and 32 (48%) died after discharge but within 30 days of admission; of these, 27 (40%) had been transferred in for higher-acuity care. Fifty-one (76%) died from heart failure, and 16 (24%) from other causes. Fifty-five (82%) patients were classified as American Heart Association Stage D, 58 (87%) as New York Heart Association Class IV, and 30 (45%) had right-ventricular systolic dysfunction. None of the 32 patients who died after discharge met recommendations for beta-blockers. Criteria for prescribing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor blockers were not met by 33 of the 34 patients (97%) with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction not on one of those drugs. Fifty-seven patients (85%) had a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status. A majority of heart failure-related mortality was among patients who opted for a DNR status with end-stage heart failure, limiting the appropriateness of administering evidence-based therapies. No care gaps were identified that contributed to mortality at our institution. The CMS 30-day model fails to take important variables into consideration. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Overall Equipment Effectiveness Implementation Criteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abramova, I. G.; Abramov, D. A.

2018-01-01

This article documents the methods applied in production control technics specifically focused on commonly used parameter OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness). The indicators of extensive and intensive use of equipment are considered. Their appointment this is comparison in the same type of production within the industry and comparison of single-type and / or different types of equipment in terms of capacity. However, it is shown that there is no possibility of revealing the reasons for the machine’s operation: productive / unproductive, with disturbances. Therefore, in the article reveals the approaches to calculating the indicator characterizing the direct operation of the equipment. The Machine Load coefficient is approaching closely to the indicator of the efficiency of the use of equipment. Methods analysis is proceeded through the historically applied techniques such as “Stopwatch” and “Motion” studies. Was performed the analysis of the efficiency index of OEE equipment using the comparable indexes performance of equipment in the Russian practice. An important indicator of OEE contains three components. The meaning of each of them reflects historically applicable indicators. The value of the availability of equipment indicator is close to the value of the equipment extensibility index. The value of the indicator of the efficiency of work can be compared with the characteristic of the capacity of the equipment and the indicator of the quality level can meet the requirements for compliance with the manufacturing technology. Shown that the sum of the values of the coefficient of “Availability” of the equipment and the value of the “Factor of compaction of working hours” are one. As well as the total value of the indicator “level of quality” and the coefficient of marriage given in the result unit. The measurability of the indicators makes it possible to make a prediction about efficiency of the equipment.

Engineer Equipment Mechanic.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marine Corps Inst., Washington, DC.

Developed as part of the Marine Corps Institute (MCI) correspondence training program, this course on engineer equipment mechanics is designed to advance the professional competence of privates through sergeants as equipment mechanics, Military Occupation Specialty 1341, and is adaptable for nonmilitary instruction. Introductory materials include…

Shipboard Electronic Equipments.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Naval Personnel Program Support Activity, Washington, DC.

Fundamentals of major electronic equipments on board ships are presented in this text prepared for naval officers in general. Basic radio principles are discussed in connection with various types of transmitters, receivers, antennas, couplers, transfer panels, remote-control units, frequency standard equipments, teletypewriters, and facsimile…

Matrix Dominated Failure of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Laminates Under Static and Dynamic Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schaefer, Joseph Daniel

Hierarchical material systems provide the unique opportunity to connect material knowledge to solving specific design challenges. Representing the quickest growing class of hierarchical materials in use, fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) offer superior strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios, damage tolerance, and decreasing production costs compared to metals and alloys. However, the implementation of FRPCs has historically been fraught with inadequate knowledge of the material failure behavior due to incomplete verification of recent computational constitutive models and improper (or non-existent) experimental validation, which has severely slowed creation and development. Noted by the recent Materials Genome Initiative and the Worldwide Failure Exercise, current state of the art qualification programs endure a 20 year gap between material conceptualization and implementation due to the lack of effective partnership between computational coding (simulation) and experimental characterization. Qualification processes are primarily experiment driven; the anisotropic nature of composites predisposes matrix-dominant properties to be sensitive to strain rate, which necessitates extensive testing. To decrease the qualification time, a framework that practically combines theoretical prediction of material failure with limited experimental validation is required. In this work, the Northwestern Failure Theory (NU Theory) for composite lamina is presented as the theoretical basis from which the failure of unidirectional and multidirectional composite laminates is investigated. From an initial experimental characterization of basic lamina properties, the NU Theory is employed to predict the matrix-dependent failure of composites under any state of biaxial stress from quasi-static to 1000 s-1 strain rates. It was found that the number of experiments required to characterize the strain-rate-dependent failure of a new composite material was reduced by an order of

Heart Failure

MedlinePlus

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped ... and shortness of breath Common causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and ...

Behind the Pay Gap

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dey, Judy Goldberg; Hill, Catherine

2007-01-01

Women have made remarkable gains in education during the past three decades, yet these achievements have resulted in only modest improvements in pay equity. The gender pay gap has become a fixture of the U.S. workplace and is so ubiquitous that many simply view it as normal. "Behind the Pay Gap" examines the gender pay gap for college graduates.…

Laboratory Equipment Criteria.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

State Univ. Construction Fund, Albany, NY.

Requirements for planning, designing, constructing and installing laboratory furniture are given in conjunction with establishing facility criteria for housing laboratory equipment. Furniture and equipment described include--(1) center tables, (2) reagent racks, (3) laboratory benches and their mechanical fixtures, (4) sink and work counters, (5)…

Model-dependent effects of the gap junction conduction-enhancing antiarrhythmic peptide rotigaptide (ZP123) on experimental atrial fibrillation in dogs.

PubMed

Shiroshita-Takeshita, Akiko; Sakabe, Masao; Haugan, Ketil; Hennan, James K; Nattel, Stanley

2007-01-23

Abnormal intercellular communication caused by connexin dysfunction may be involved in atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study assessed the effect of the gap junctional conduction-enhancing peptide rotigaptide on AF maintenance in substrates that result from congestive heart failure induced by 2-week ventricular tachypacing (240 bpm), atrial tachypacing (ATP; 400 bpm for 3 to 6 weeks), and isolated atrial myocardial ischemia. Electrophysiological study and epicardial mapping were performed before and after rotigaptide administration in dogs with ATP and congestive heart failure, as well as in similarly instrumented sham dogs that were not tachypaced. For atrial myocardial ischemia, dogs administered rotigaptide before myocardial ischemia were compared with no-drug myocardial ischemia controls. ATP significantly shortened the atrial effective refractory period (P=0.003) and increased AF duration (P=0.008), with AF lasting >3 hours in all 6-week ATP animals. Rotigaptide increased conduction velocity in ATP dogs slightly but significantly (P=0.04) and did not affect the effective refractory period, AF duration, or atrial vulnerability. In dogs with congestive heart failure, rotigaptide also slightly increased conduction velocity (P=0.046) but failed to prevent AF promotion. Rotigaptide had no statistically significant effects in sham dogs. Myocardial ischemia alone increased AF duration and impaired conduction (based on conduction velocity across the ischemic border and indices of conduction heterogeneity). Rotigaptide prevented myocardial ischemia-induced conduction slowing and AF duration increases. Rotigaptide improves conduction in various AF models but suppresses AF only for the acute ischemia substrate. These results define the atrial antiarrhythmic profile of a mechanistically novel antiarrhythmic drug and suggest that gap junction dysfunction may be more important in ischemic AF than in ATP remodeling or congestive heart failure substrates.

[Understanding heart failure].

PubMed

Boo, José Fernando Guadalajara

2006-01-01

Heart failure is a disease with several definitions. The term "heart failure" is used by has brougth about confusion in the terminology. For this reason, the value of the ejection fraction (< 0.40 or < 0.35) is used in most meganalyses on the treatment of heart failure, avoiding the term "heart failure" that is a confounding concept. In this paper we carefully analyze the meaning of contractility, ventricular function or performance, preload, afterload, heart failure, compensation mechanisms in heart failure, myocardial oxygen consumption, inadequate, adequate and inappropriate hypertrophy, systole, diastole, compliance, problems of relaxation, and diastolic dysfunction. Their definitions are supported by the original scientific descriptions in an attempt to clarify the concepts about ventricular function and heart failure and, in this way, use the same scientific language about the meaning of ventricular function, heart failure, and diastolic dysfunction.

Pneumatic gap sensor and method

DOEpatents

Bagdal, Karl T.; King, Edward L.; Follstaedt, Donald W.

1992-01-01

An apparatus and method for monitoring and maintaining a predetermined width in the gap between a casting nozzle and a casting wheel, wherein the gap is monitored by means of at least one pneumatic gap sensor. The pneumatic gap sensor is mounted on the casting nozzle in proximity to the casting surface and is connected by means of a tube to a regulator and a transducer. The regulator provides a flow of gas through a restictor to the pneumatic gap sensor, and the transducer translates the changes in the gas pressure caused by the proximity of the casting wheel to the pneumatic gap sensor outlet into a signal intelligible to a control device. The relative positions of the casting nozzle and casting wheel can thereby be selectively adjusted to continually maintain a predetermined distance between their adjacent surfaces. The apparatus and method enables accurate monitoring of the actual casting gap in a simple and reliable manner resistant to the extreme temperatures and otherwise hostile casting environment.

From the Kohn-Sham band gap to the fundamental gap in solids. An integer electron approach.

PubMed

Baerends, E J

2017-06-21

It is often stated that the Kohn-Sham occupied-unoccupied gap in both molecules and solids is "wrong". We argue that this is not a correct statement. The KS theory does not allow to interpret the exact KS HOMO-LUMO gap as the fundamental gap (difference (I - A) of electron affinity (A) and ionization energy (I), twice the chemical hardness), from which it indeed differs, strongly in molecules and moderately in solids. The exact Kohn-Sham HOMO-LUMO gap in molecules is much below the fundamental gap and very close to the much smaller optical gap (first excitation energy), and LDA/GGA yield very similar gaps. In solids the situation is different: the excitation energy to delocalized excited states and the fundamental gap (I - A) are very similar, not so disparate as in molecules. Again the Kohn-Sham and LDA/GGA band gaps do not represent (I - A) but are significantly smaller. However, the special properties of an extended system like a solid make it very easy to calculate the fundamental gap from the ground state (neutral system) band structure calculations entirely within a density functional framework. The correction Δ from the KS gap to the fundamental gap originates from the response part v resp of the exchange-correlation potential and can be calculated very simply using an approximation to v resp . This affords a calculation of the fundamental gap at the same level of accuracy as other properties of crystals at little extra cost beyond the ground state bandstructure calculation. The method is based on integer electron systems, fractional electron systems (an ensemble of N- and (N + 1)-electron systems) and the derivative discontinuity are not invoked.

Heart failure.

PubMed

Metra, Marco; Teerlink, John R

2017-10-28

Heart failure is common in adults, accounting for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing because of ageing of the population and improved treatment of acute cardiovascular events, despite the efficacy of many therapies for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and advanced device therapies. Combined angiotensin receptor blocker neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) have been associated with improvements in hospital admissions and mortality from heart failure compared with enalapril, and guidelines now recommend substitution of ACE inhibitors or ARBs with ARNIs in appropriate patients. Improved safety of left ventricular assist devices means that these are becoming more commonly used in patients with severe symptoms. Antidiabetic therapies might further improve outcomes in patients with heart failure. New drugs with novel mechanisms of action, such as cardiac myosin activators, are under investigation for patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is a heterogeneous disorder that remains incompletely understood and will continue to increase in prevalence with the ageing population. Although some data suggest that spironolactone might improve outcomes in these patients, no therapy has conclusively shown a significant effect. Hopefully, future studies will address these unmet needs for patients with heart failure. Admissions for acute heart failure continue to increase but, to date, no new therapies have improved clinical outcomes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Three potential mechanisms for failure of high intensity focused ultrasound ablation in cardiac tissue.

PubMed

Laughner, Jacob I; Sulkin, Matthew S; Wu, Ziqi; Deng, Cheri X; Efimov, Igor R

2012-04-01

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been introduced for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias because it offers the ability to create rapid tissue modification in confined volumes without directly contacting the myocardium. In spite of the benefits of HIFU, a number of limitations have been reported, which hindered its clinical adoption. In this study, we used a multimodal approach to evaluate thermal and nonthermal effects of HIFU in cardiac ablation. We designed a computer controlled system capable of simultaneous fluorescence mapping and HIFU ablation. Using this system, linear lesions were created in isolated rabbit atria (n=6), and point lesions were created in the ventricles of whole-heart (n=6) preparations by applying HIFU at clinical doses (4-16 W). Additionally, we evaluate the gap size in ablation lines necessary for conduction in atrial preparations (n=4). The voltage sensitive dye di-4-ANEPPS was used to assess functional damage produced by HIFU. Optical coherence tomography and general histology were used to evaluate lesion extent. Conduction block was achieved in 1 (17%) of 6 atrial preparations with a single ablation line. Following 10 minutes of rest, 0 (0%) of 6 atrial preparations demonstrated sustained conduction block from a single ablation line. Tissue displacement of 1 to 3 mm was observed during HIFU application due to acoustic radiation force along the lesion line. Additionally, excessive acoustic pressure and high temperature from HIFU generated cavitation, causing macroscopic tissue damage. A minimum gap size of 1.5 mm was found to conduct electric activity. This study identified 3 potential mechanisms responsible for the failure of HIFU ablation in cardiac tissues. Both acoustic radiation force and acoustic cavitation, in conjunction with inconsistent thermal deposition, can increase the risk of lesion discontinuity and result in gap sizes that promote ablation failure.

The role of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors in cardiovascular disease-existing evidence, knowledge gaps, and future directions.

PubMed

Ambrosy, Andrew P; Mentz, Robert J; Fiuzat, Mona; Cleland, John G F; Greene, Stephen J; O'Connor, Christopher M; Teerlink, John R; Zannad, Faiez; Solomon, Scott D

2018-02-21

Although traditional renin-angiotensin system antagonists including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers have revolutionized the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the pivotal PARADIGM-HF trial demonstrated that sacubitril/valsartan, an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), was superior to an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. However, despite international regulatory approval and strong recommendations in the guidelines, uptake of sacubitril/valsartan has been disappointing. Sacubitril/valsartan is now the focus of a large programme of clinical trials testing the hypothesis that ARNIs may supplant conventional renin-angiotensin system inhibitors across the spectrum of CVD, including hypertension, secondary prevention after myocardial infarction, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This review summarizes the existing evidence, knowledge gaps, and future directions of ARNIs in CVD based on discussions between clinical trialists, industry representatives, and regulatory authorities at the 2016 Global CardioVascular Clinical Trialists Forum in Washington, D.C. © 2018 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2018 European Society of Cardiology.

Deformation in the Yakataga seismic gap, Southern Alaska, 1980- 1986 ( USA).

USGS Publications Warehouse

Savage, J.C.; Lisowski, M.

1988-01-01

A 60-by-40-km trilateration network in the Yakataga seismic gap was surveyed in 1980, 1982, 1984, and 1986 with precise electro-optical distance-measuring equipment to measure strain accumulation. The overall deformation is roughly approximated by a 0.24+ or -0.03 mu strain/yr N32oW+ or -2.4o uniaxial contraction that is uniform in time. However, the spatial distribution of deformation shows some concentration of convergence in the neighbourhood of the Chugach-St. Elias fault and of right-lateral shear across the Contact fault. A simple dislocation model of the plate interaction in the Yakataga gap fits the observed deformation reasonably well but seems to require that the motion of the Pacific plate relative to the North American plate be directed more nearly N36oW than N15oW, the generally accepted direction of relative motion for this location. However, the direction of plate motion inferred from the dislocation model depends upon details of the interaction at the plate boundary that may not have been modeled accurately. A nearby but smaller trilateration network at Icy Bay was surveyed in 1982, 1984, and 1986. This network spans the SW corner of the rupture zone of the 1979 St. Elias earthquake. The deformation at Icy Bay consists of left-lateral shear across a NE trending zone. The relation of this deformation to strain accumulation in the Yakataga gap, postseismic relaxation associated with the 1979 earthquake, or rebound from the unloading associated with the rapid recession of the Guyot glacier is not understood.-Authors

SPARK GAP SWITCH

DOEpatents

Neal, R.B.

1957-12-17

An improved triggered spark gap switch is described, capable of precisely controllable firing time while switching very large amounts of power. The invention in general comprises three electrodes adjustably spaced and adapted to have a large potential impressed between the outer electrodes. The central electrode includes two separate elements electrically connected togetaer and spaced apart to define a pair of spark gaps between the end electrodes. Means are provided to cause the gas flow in the switch to pass towards the central electrode, through a passage in each separate element, and out an exit disposed between the two separate central electrode elements in order to withdraw ions from the spark gap.

Which Achievement Gap?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Sharon; Medrich, Elliott; Fowler, Donna

2007-01-01

From the halls of Congress to the local elementary school, conversations on education reform have tossed around the term "achievement gap" as though people all know precisely what that means. As it's commonly used, "achievement gap" refers to the differences in scores on state or national achievement tests between various…

14 CFR 121.345 - Radio equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Radio equipment. 121.345 Section 121.345..., FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONS Instrument and Equipment Requirements § 121.345 Radio equipment. (a) No person may operate an airplane unless it is equipped with radio equipment required for the kind of...

1968 Listing of Swimming Pool Equipment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Sanitation Foundation, Ann Arbor, MI. Testing Lab.

An up-to-date listing of swimming pool equipment including--(1) companies authorized to display the National Sanitation Foundation seal of approval, (2) equipment listed as meeting NSF swimming pool equipment standards relating to diatomite type filters, (3) equipment listed as meeting NSF swimming pool equipment standard relating to sand type…

[Effects of forest gap size and within-gap position on the microclimate in Pinus koraiensis-dominated broadleaved mixed forest].

PubMed

Feng, Jing; Duan, Wen-Biao; Chen, Li-Xin

2012-07-01

HOBO automatic weather stations were installed in the central parts and at the south, north, east, and west edges of large, medium, and small gaps in a Pinus koraiensis-dominated broadleaved mixed forest in Xiaoxing' anling Mountains to measure the air temperature, relative humidity, and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) in these locations and the total radiation and precipitation in the gap centres from June to September 2010, taking the closed forest stand and open field as the controls. The differences in the microclimate between various size forest gaps and between the gap centers and their edges as well as the variations of the microclimatic factors over time were analyzed, and the effects of sunny and overcast days on the diurnal variations of the microclimatic factors within forest gaps were compared, aimed to offer basic data and practice reference for gap regeneration and sustainable management of Pinus koraiensis-dominated broadleaved mixed forest. The PPFD was decreased in the order of large gap, medium gap, and small gap. For the same gaps, the PPFD in gap centre was greater than that in gap edge. The mean monthly air temperature and total radiation in gap centres were declined in the sequence of July, June, August, and September, and the amplitudes of the two climatic factors were decreased in the order of open field, large gap, medium gap, small gap, and closed forest stand. The mean monthly relative humidity in gap centres dropped in the order of August, July, September, and June, and the amplitude of this climatic factor was decreased in the sequence of closed forest stand, small gap, medium gap, large gap, and open field. The total and monthly precipitations for the three different size gaps and open field during measurement period generally decreased in the order of open field, large gap, medium gap, small gap, and closed forest stand. In sunny days, the variations of PPFD, air temperature, and relative humidity were greater in large gap

Modeling of Electrical Cable Failure in a Dynamic Assessment of Fire Risk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bucknor, Matthew D.

Fires at a nuclear power plant are a safety concern because of their potential to defeat the redundant safety features that provide a high level of assurance of the ability to safely shutdown the plant. One of the added complexities of providing protection against fires is the need to determine the likelihood of electrical cable failure which can lead to the loss of the ability to control or spurious actuation of equipment that is required for safe shutdown. A number of plants are now transitioning from their deterministic fire protection programs to a risk-informed, performance based fire protection program according to the requirements of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 805. Within a risk-informed framework, credit can be taken for the analysis of fire progression within a fire zone that was not permissible within the deterministic framework of a 10 CFR 50.48 Appendix R safe shutdown analysis. To perform the analyses required for the transition, plants need to be able to demonstrate with some level of assurance that cables related to safe shutdown equipment will not be compromised during postulated fire scenarios. This research contains the development of new cable failure models that have the potential to more accurately predict electrical cable failure in common cable bundle configurations. Methods to determine the thermal properties of the new models from empirical data are presented along with comparisons between the new models and existing techniques used in the nuclear industry today. A Dynamic Event Tree (DET) methodology is also presented which allows for the proper treatment of uncertainties associated with fire brigade intervention and its effects on cable failure analysis. Finally a shielding analysis is performed to determine the effects on the temperature response of a cable bundle that is shielded from a fire source by an intervening object such as another cable tray. The results from the analyses demonstrate that models of similar

Survey identifies trends in equipment acquisitions.

PubMed

Anderson, H J

1990-09-20

Automated laboratory equipment, medical imaging equipment, and patient monitors top the list of hospitals' priorities for equipment acquisition during the next year. This is according to an exclusive survey sponsored by the Linc Group, Inc., Chicago, and Hospitals magazine. The new survey also found that equipment acquisitions are most often financed with internal funds and gifts; that equipment purchasing budgets are on the rise; and that executives believe that most equipment makes money for their hospitals. Find out what your peers have to say about anticipated trends in equipment acquisition and financing during the next year.

10 CFR 431.405 - Exported equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Exported equipment. 431.405 Section 431.405 Energy... EQUIPMENT General Provisions § 431.405 Exported equipment. Under Sections 330 and 345 of the Act, this Part... for export from the United States (or such equipment was imported for export), unless such equipment...

Evaluation of the National Gap Analysis Program (GAP): survey of users of GAP data: report to respondents

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ratz, Joan M.

2014-01-01

This report provides a summary of responses to the questions included in a survey of individuals who use or have used data created and provided by the U.S. Geological Survey National Gap Analysis Program (GAP). The survey was commissioned by the GAP main office and was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey personnel in the Policy Analysis and Science Assistance branch. The data collection process started on September 18, 2012, and ended on November 9, 2012. The dataset includes the responses from 359 individuals. The adjusted response rate for the survey was 35 percent. This report provides a summary of results for the survey questions in the order in which the questions were asked. The text of comments provided by respondents to open-ended questions is provided.

SU-E-T-87: A TG-100 Approach for Quality Improvement of Associated Dosimetry Equipment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Manger, R; Pawlicki, T; Kim, G

2015-06-15

Purpose: Dosimetry protocols devote so much time to the discussion of ionization chamber choice, use and performance that is easy to forget about the importance of the associated dosimetry equipment (ADE) in radiation dosimetry - barometer, thermometer, electrometer, phantoms, triaxial cables, etc. Improper use and inaccuracy of these devices may significantly affect the accuracy of radiation dosimetry. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk factors in the monthly output dosimetry procedure and recommend corrective actions using a TG-100 approach. Methods: A failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) of the monthly linac output check procedure was performed tomore » determine which steps and failure modes carried the greatest risk. In addition, a fault tree analysis (FTA) was performed to expand the initial list of failure modes making sure that none were overlooked. After determining the failure modes with the highest risk priority numbers (RPNs), 11 physicists were asked to score corrective actions based on their ease of implementation and potential impact. The results were aggregated into an impact map to determine the implementable corrective actions. Results: Three of the top five failure modes were related to the thermometer and barometer. The two highest RPN-ranked failure modes were related to barometric pressure inaccuracy due to their high lack-of-detectability scores. Six corrective actions were proposed to address barometric pressure inaccuracy, and the survey results found the following two corrective actions to be implementable: 1) send the barometer for recalibration at a calibration laboratory and 2) check the barometer accuracy against the local airport and correct for elevation. Conclusion: An FMEA on monthly output measurements displayed the importance of ADE for accurate radiation dosimetry. When brainstorming for corrective actions, an impact map is helpful for visualizing the overall impact versus the ease of implementation.« less

Predicting Failure Progression and Failure Loads in Composite Open-Hole Tension Coupons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arunkumar, Satyanarayana; Przekop, Adam

2010-01-01

Failure types and failure loads in carbon-epoxy [45n/90n/-45n/0n]ms laminate coupons with central circular holes subjected to tensile load are simulated using progressive failure analysis (PFA) methodology. The progressive failure methodology is implemented using VUMAT subroutine within the ABAQUS(TradeMark)/Explicit nonlinear finite element code. The degradation model adopted in the present PFA methodology uses an instantaneous complete stress reduction (COSTR) approach to simulate damage at a material point when failure occurs. In-plane modeling parameters such as element size and shape are held constant in the finite element models, irrespective of laminate thickness and hole size, to predict failure loads and failure progression. Comparison to published test data indicates that this methodology accurately simulates brittle, pull-out and delamination failure types. The sensitivity of the failure progression and the failure load to analytical loading rates and solvers precision is demonstrated.

About Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

MedlinePlus

... Equipment for Infection Control Questions About Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Share Tweet Linkedin Pin it More sharing ... Print Q1. How do manufacturers ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) is safe and effective? A1. To help ...

GAP Analysis Bulletin Number 15

USGS Publications Warehouse

Maxwell, Jill; Gergely, Kevin; Aycrigg, Jocelyn; Canonico, Gabrielle; Davidson, Anne; Coffey, Nicole

2008-01-01

The Mission of the Gap Analysis Program (GAP) is to promote conservation by providing broad geographic information on biological diversity to resource managers, planners, and policy makers who can use the information to make informed decisions. As part of the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) ?a collaborative program to provide increased access to data and information on the nation?s biological resources--GAP data and analytical tools have been used in hundreds of applications: from basic research to comprehensive state wildlife plans; from educational projects in schools to ecoregional assessments of biodiversity. The challenge: keeping common species common means protecting them BEFORE they become threatened. To do this on a state or regional basis requires key information such as land cover descriptions, predicted distribution maps for native animals, and an assessment of the level of protection currently given to those plants and animals. GAP works cooperatively with Federal, state, and local natural resource professionals and academics to provide this kind of information. GAP activities focus on the creation of state and regional databases and maps that depict patterns of land management, land cover, and biodiversity. These data can be used to identify ?gaps? in conservation--instances where an animal or plant community is not adequately represented on the existing network of conservation lands. GAP is administered through the U.S. Geological Survey. Through building partnerships among disparate groups, GAP hopes to foster the kind of collaboration that is needed to address conservation issues on a broad scale. For more information, contact: John Mosesso National GAP Director 703-648-4079 Kevin Gergely National GAP Operations Manager 208-885-3565

Review and bibliometric analysis of published literature citing data produced by the Gap Analysis Program (GAP)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ratz, Joan M.; Conk, Shannon J.

2014-01-01

The Gap Analysis Program (GAP) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) produces geospatial datasets providing information on land cover, predicted species distributions, stewardship (ownership and conservation status), and an analysis dataset which synthesizes the other three datasets. The intent in providing these datasets is to support the conservation of biodiversity. The datasets are made available at no cost. The initial datasets were created at the state level. More recent datasets have been assembled at regional and national levels. GAP entered an agreement with the Policy Analysis and Science Assistance branch of the USGS to conduct an evaluation to describe the effect that using GAP data has on those who utilize the datasets (GAP users). The evaluation project included multiple components: a discussion regarding use of GAP data conducted with participants at a GAP conference, a literature review of publications that cited use of GAP data, and a survey of GAP users. The findings of the published literature search were used to identify topics to include on the survey. This report summarizes the literature search, the characteristics of the resulting set of publications, the emergent themes from statements made regarding GAP data, and a bibliometric analysis of the publications. We cannot claim that this list includes all publications that have used GAP data. Given the time lapse that is common in the publishing process, more recent datasets may be cited less frequently in this list of publications. Reports or products that used GAP data may be produced but never published in print or released online. In that case, our search strategies would not have located those reports. Authors may have used GAP data but failed to cite it in such a way that the search strategies we used would have located those publications. These are common issues when using a literature search as part of an evaluation project. Although the final list of publications we identified is not

Pneumatic gap sensor and method

DOEpatents

Bagdal, K.T.; King, E.L.; Follstaedt, D.W.

1992-03-03

An apparatus and method for monitoring and maintaining a predetermined width in the gap between a casting nozzle and a casting wheel, wherein the gap is monitored by means of at least one pneumatic gap sensor. The pneumatic gap sensor is mounted on the casting nozzle in proximity to the casting surface and is connected by means of a tube to a regulator and a transducer. The regulator provides a flow of gas through a restictor to the pneumatic gap sensor, and the transducer translates the changes in the gas pressure caused by the proximity of the casting wheel to the pneumatic gap sensor outlet into a signal intelligible to a control device. The relative positions of the casting nozzle and casting wheel can thereby be selectively adjusted to continually maintain a predetermined distance between their adjacent surfaces. The apparatus and method enables accurate monitoring of the actual casting gap in a simple and reliable manner resistant to the extreme temperatures and otherwise hostile casting environment. 6 figs.

Gap Test Calibrations and Their Scaling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandusky, Harold

2011-06-01

Common tests for measuring the threshold for shock initiation are the NOL large scale gap test (LSGT) with a 50.8-mm diameter donor/gap and the expanded large scale gap test (ELSGT) with a 95.3-mm diameter donor/gap. Despite the same specifications for the explosive donor and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) gap in both tests, calibration of shock pressure in the gap versus distance from the donor scales by a factor of 1.75, not the 1.875 difference in their sizes. Recently reported model calculations suggest that the scaling discrepancy results from the viscoelastic properties of PMMA in combination with different methods for obtaining shock pressure. This is supported by the consistent scaling of these donors when calibrated in water-filled aquariums. Calibrations with water gaps will be provided and compared with PMMA gaps. Scaling for other donor systems will also be provided. Shock initiation data with water gaps will be reviewed.

Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy of Heart Failure in Genetic Cardiomyopathy

PubMed Central

Yamada, Satsuki; Nelson, Timothy J.; Crespo-Diaz, Ruben J.; Perez-Terzic, Carmen; Liu, Xiao-Ke; Miki, Takashi; Seino, Susumu; Behfar, Atta; Terzic, Andre

2009-01-01

Pathogenic causes underlying nonischemic cardiomyopathies are increasingly being resolved, yet repair therapies for these commonly heritable forms of heart failure are lacking. A case in point is human dilated cardiomyopathy 10 (CMD10; Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man #608569), a progressive organ dysfunction syndrome refractory to conventional therapies and linked to mutations in cardiac ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel sub-units. Embryonic stem cell therapy demonstrates benefit in ischemic heart disease, but the reparative capacity of this allogeneic regenerative cell source has not been tested in inherited cardiomyopathy. Here, in a Kir6.2-knockout model lacking functional KATP channels, we recapitulated under the imposed stress of pressure overload the gene-environment substrate of CMD10. Salient features of the human malignant heart failure phenotype were reproduced, including compromised contractility, ventricular dilatation, and poor survival. Embryonic stem cells were delivered through the epicardial route into the left ventricular wall of cardiomyopathic stressed Kir6.2-null mutants. At 1 month of therapy, transplantation of 200,000 cells per heart achieved teratoma-free reversal of systolic dysfunction and electrical synchronization and halted maladaptive remodeling, thereby preventing end-stage organ failure. Tracked using the lacZ reporter transgene, stem cells engrafted into host heart. Beyond formation of cardiac tissue positive for Kir6.2, transplantation induced cell cycle activation and halved fibrotic zones, normalizing sarcomeric and gap junction organization within remuscularized hearts. Improved systemic function induced by stem cell therapy translated into increased stamina, absence of anasarca, and benefit to overall survivorship. Embryonic stem cells thus achieve functional repair in nonischemic genetic cardiomyopathy, expanding indications to the therapy of heritable heart failure. PMID:18669912

TU-AB-BRD-02: Failure Modes and Effects Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Huq, M.

2015-06-15

Current quality assurance and quality management guidelines provided by various professional organizations are prescriptive in nature, focusing principally on performance characteristics of planning and delivery devices. However, published analyses of events in radiation therapy show that most events are often caused by flaws in clinical processes rather than by device failures. This suggests the need for the development of a quality management program that is based on integrated approaches to process and equipment quality assurance. Industrial engineers have developed various risk assessment tools that are used to identify and eliminate potential failures from a system or a process before amore » failure impacts a customer. These tools include, but are not limited to, process mapping, failure modes and effects analysis, fault tree analysis. Task Group 100 of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine has developed these tools and used them to formulate an example risk-based quality management program for intensity-modulated radiotherapy. This is a prospective risk assessment approach that analyzes potential error pathways inherent in a clinical process and then ranks them according to relative risk, typically before implementation, followed by the design of a new process or modification of the existing process. Appropriate controls are then put in place to ensure that failures are less likely to occur and, if they do, they will more likely be detected before they propagate through the process, compromising treatment outcome and causing harm to the patient. Such a prospective approach forms the basis of the work of Task Group 100 that has recently been approved by the AAPM. This session will be devoted to a discussion of these tools and practical examples of how these tools can be used in a given radiotherapy clinic to develop a risk based quality management program. Learning Objectives: Learn how to design a process map for a radiotherapy process Learn

Analysis of failure and maintenance experiences of motor operated valves in a Finnish nuclear power plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simola, Kaisa; Laakso, Kari

1992-01-01

Eight years of operating experiences of 104 motor operated closing valves in different safety systems in nuclear power units were analyzed in a systematic way. The qualitative methods used were Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and Maintenance Effects and Criticality Analysis (MECA). These reliability engineering methods are commonly used in the design stage of equipment. The successful application of these methods for analysis and utilization of operating experiences was demonstrated.

A simple and effective method for filling gaps in Landsat ETM+ SLC-off images

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chen, Jin; Zhu, Xiaolin; Vogelmann, James E.; Gao, Feng; Jin, Suming

2011-01-01

The scan-line corrector (SLC) of the Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) sensor failed in 2003, resulting in about 22% of the pixels per scene not being scanned. The SLC failure has seriously limited the scientific applications of ETM+ data. While there have been a number of methods developed to fill in the data gaps, each method has shortcomings, especially for heterogeneous landscapes. Based on the assumption that the same-class neighboring pixels around the un-scanned pixels have similar spectral characteristics, and that these neighboring and un-scanned pixels exhibit similar patterns of spectral differences between dates, we developed a simple and effective method to interpolate the values of the pixels within the gaps. We refer to this method as the Neighborhood Similar Pixel Interpolator (NSPI). Simulated and actual SLC-off ETM+ images were used to assess the performance of the NSPI. Results indicate that NSPI can restore the value of un-scanned pixels very accurately, and that it works especially well in heterogeneous regions. In addition, it can work well even if there is a relatively long time interval or significant spectral changes between the input and target image. The filled images appear reasonably spatially continuous without obvious striping patterns. Supervised classification using the maximum likelihood algorithm was done on both gap-filled simulated SLC-off data and the original "gap free" data set, and it was found that classification results, including accuracies, were very comparable. This indicates that gap-filled products generated by NSPI will have relevance to the user community for various land cover applications. In addition, the simple principle and high computational efficiency of NSPI will enable processing large volumes of SLC-off ETM+ data.

Lighting Equipment (Update to Listing)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-05-06

This listing contains equipment and manufacturers certified or deleted since publication of advisory circular 150/5345-53A, Airport lighting equipment certification program, on 5-15-95. The equipment and manufacturers will be added to or deleted from...

Flexion and extension gaps created by the navigation-assisted gap technique show small acceptable mismatches and close mutual correlations.

PubMed

Lee, Dae-Hee; Shin, Young-Soo; Jeon, Jin-Ho; Suh, Dong-Won; Han, Seung-Beom

2014-08-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlying the development of gap differences in total knee arthroplasty using the navigation-assisted gap technique and to assess whether these gap differences have statistical significance. Ninety-two patients (105 knees) implanted with cruciate-retaining prostheses using the navigation-assisted gap balancing technique were prospectively analysed. Medial extension and flexion gaps and lateral extension and flexion gaps were measured at full extension and at 90° of flexion. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the mean values of these four gaps. The correlation coefficient between each pair of gaps was assessed using Pearson's correlation analysis. Mean intra-operative medial and lateral extension gaps were 20.6 ± 2.1 and 21.7 ± 2.2 mm, respectively, and mean intra-operative medial and lateral flexion gaps were 21.6 ± 2.7 and 22.1 ± 2.5 mm, respectively. The pairs of gaps differed significantly (P < 0.05 each), except for the difference between the medial flexion and lateral extension gaps (n.s.). All four gaps were significantly correlated with each other, with the highest correlation between the medial and lateral flexion gaps (r = 0.890, P < 0.001) and the lowest between the medial flexion and lateral extension gaps (r = 0.701, P < 0.001). Medial and lateral flexion and extension gaps created using the navigation-assisted gap technique differed significantly, although the differences between them were <2 mm, and the gaps were closely correlated. These narrow ranges of statistically acceptable gap differences and the strong correlations between gaps should be considered by surgeons, as should the risks of soft tissue over-release or unintentional increases in extension or flexion gap after preparation of the other gap.

Tunable terahertz reflection spectrum based on band gaps of GaP materials excited by ultrasonic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, H.; Zhang, X. B.; Wang, X. F.; Wang, G. Q.

2018-02-01

Tunable terahertz (THz) reflection spectrum, ranged from 0.2 to 8 THz, in band gaps of gallium phosphide (GaP) materials excited by ultrasonic is investigated in the present paper, in which tunable ultrasonic and terahertz wave collinear transmission in the same direction is postulated. Numerical simulation results show that, under the acousto-optic interaction, band gaps of transverse optical phonon polariton dispersion curves are turned on, this leads to a dis-propagation of polariton in GaP bulk. On the other side, GaP material has less absorption to THz wave according to experimental studies, as indicates that THz wave could be reflected by the band gaps spontaneously. The band gaps width and acousto-optic coupling strength are proportional with ultrasonic frequency and its intensity in ultrasonic frequency range of 0-250 MHz, in which low-frequency branch of transverse optical phonon polariton dispersion curves demonstrate periodicity and folding as well as. With the increase of ultrasonic frequency, frequency of band gap is blue-shifted, and total reflectivity decreased with -1-order and -2-order reflectivity decrease. The band gaps converge to the restrahlen band infinitely with frequency of ultrasonic exceeding over 250 MHz, total reflectivity of which is attenuated. As is show above, reflection of THz wave can be accommodated by regulating the frequency and its intensity of ultrasonic frequency. Relevant technology may be available in tunable THz frequency selection and filtering.

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL GAP LAND COVER

EPA Science Inventory

The Gap Analysis Program is a national inter-agency program that maps the distribution

of plant communities and selected animal species and compares these distributions with land

stewardship to identify gaps in biodiversity protection. GAP uses remote satellite imag...

First documented case of successful kidney transplantation from a donor with acute renal failure treated with dialysis.

PubMed

Bacak-Kocman, Iva; Peric, Mladen; Kastelan, Zeljko; Kes, Petar; Mesar, Ines; Basic-Jukic, Nikolina

2013-10-01

There is a widening gap between the needs and possibilities of kidney transplantation. In order to solve the problem of organ shortage, the selection criteria for kidney donors have been less stringent over the last years. Favorable outcome of renal transplantation from deceased donors with acute renal failure requiring dialysis may have an important role in expanding the pool of donors. We present the case of two renal transplantations from a polytraumatized 20-years old donor with acute renal failure requiring dialysis. One recipient established good diuresis from the first post-transplant day and did not require hemodialysis. The second recipient had delayed graft function and was treated with 8 hemodialysis sessions. The patient was discharged with good diuresis and normal serum creatinine. After two years of follow-up, both recipients have normal graft function. According to our experience, kidneys from deceased young donors with acute renal failure requiring dialysis may be transplanted, in order to decrease the number of patients on transplantation waiting lists.

Prevalence and Predictors of Immunological Failure among HIV Patients on HAART in Southern Ethiopia.

PubMed

Yirdaw, Kesetebirhan Delele; Hattingh, Susan

2015-01-01

Immunological monitoring is part of the standard of care for patients on antiretroviral treatment. Yet, little is known about the routine implementation of immunological laboratory monitoring and utilization in clinical care in Ethiopia. This study assessed the pattern of immunological monitoring, immunological response, level of immunological treatment failure and factors related to it among patients on antiretroviral therapy in selected hospitals in southern Ethiopia. A retrospective longitudinal analytic study was conducted using documents of patients started on antiretroviral therapy. Adequacy of timely immunological monitoring was assessed every six months the first year and every one year thereafter. Immunological response was assessed every six months at cohort level. Immunological failure was based on the criteria: fall of follow-up CD4 cell count to baseline (or below), or CD4 levels persisting below 100 cells/mm3, or 50% fall from on-treatment peak value. A total of 1,321 documents of patients reviewed revealed timely immunological monitoring were inadequate. There was adequate immunological response, with pediatric patients, females, those with less advanced illness (baseline WHO Stage I or II) and those with higher baseline CD4 cell count found to have better immunological recovery. Thirty-nine patients (3%) were not evaluated for immunological failure because they had frequent treatment interruption. Despite overall adequate immunological response at group level, the prevalence of those who ever experienced immunological failure was 17.6% (n=226), while after subsequent re-evaluation it dropped to 11.5% (n=147). Having WHO Stage III/IV of the disease or a higher CD4 cell count at baseline was identified as a risk for immunological failure. Few patients with confirmed failure were switched to second line therapy. These findings highlight the magnitude of the problem of immunological failure and the gap in management. Prioritizing care for high risk

The Parenting Gap

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reeves, Richard V.; Howard, Kimberly

2013-01-01

The parenting gap is a big factor in the opportunity gap. The chances of upward social mobility are lower for children with parents struggling to do a good job--in terms of creating a supportive and stimulating home environment. Children lucky enough to have strong parents are more likely to succeed at all the critical life stages, which means…

REDEX - The ranging equipment diagnostic expert system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luczak, Edward C.; Gopalakrishnan, K.; Zillig, David J.

1989-01-01

REDEX, an advanced prototype expert system that diagnoses hardware failures in the Ranging Equipment (RE) at NASA's Ground Network tracking stations is described. REDEX will help the RE technician identify faulty circuit cards or modules that must be replaced, and thereby reduce troubleshooting time. It features a highly graphical user interface that uses color block diagrams and layout diagrams to illustrate the location of a fault. A semantic network knowledge representation technique was used to model the design structure of the RE. A catalog of generic troubleshooting rules was compiled to represent heuristics that are applied in diagnosing electronic equipment. Specific troubleshooting rules were identified to represent additional diagnostic knowledge that is unique to the RE. Over 50 generic and 250 specific troubleshooting rules have been derived. REDEX is implemented in Prolog on an IBM PC AT-compatible workstation. Block diagram graphics displays are color-coded to identify signals that have been monitored or inferred to have nominal values, signals that are out of tolerance, and circuit cards and functions that are diagnosed as faulty. A hypertext-like scheme is used to allow the user to easily navigate through the space of diagrams and tables. Over 50 graphic and tabular displays have been implemented. REDEX is currently being evaluated in a stand-alone mode using simulated RE fault scenarios. It will soon be interfaced to the RE and tested in an online environment. When completed and fielded, REDEX will be a concrete example of the application of expert systems technology to the problem of improving performance and reducing the lifecycle costs of operating NASA's communications networks in the 1990s.

REDEX - The ranging equipment diagnostic expert system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luczak, Edward C.; Gopalakrishnan, K.; Zillig, David J.

REDEX, an advanced prototype expert system that diagnoses hardware failures in the Ranging Equipment (RE) at NASA's Ground Network tracking stations is described. REDEX will help the RE technician identify faulty circuit cards or modules that must be replaced, and thereby reduce troubleshooting time. It features a highly graphical user interface that uses color block diagrams and layout diagrams to illustrate the location of a fault. A semantic network knowledge representation technique was used to model the design structure of the RE. A catalog of generic troubleshooting rules was compiled to represent heuristics that are applied in diagnosing electronic equipment. Specific troubleshooting rules were identified to represent additional diagnostic knowledge that is unique to the RE. Over 50 generic and 250 specific troubleshooting rules have been derived. REDEX is implemented in Prolog on an IBM PC AT-compatible workstation. Block diagram graphics displays are color-coded to identify signals that have been monitored or inferred to have nominal values, signals that are out of tolerance, and circuit cards and functions that are diagnosed as faulty. A hypertext-like scheme is used to allow the user to easily navigate through the space of diagrams and tables. Over 50 graphic and tabular displays have been implemented. REDEX is currently being evaluated in a stand-alone mode using simulated RE fault scenarios. It will soon be interfaced to the RE and tested in an online environment. When completed and fielded, REDEX will be a concrete example of the application of expert systems technology to the problem of improving performance and reducing the lifecycle costs of operating NASA's communications networks in the 1990s.

REDEX: The ranging equipment diagnostic expert system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luczak, Edward C.; Gopalakrishnan, K.; Zillig, David J.

1989-04-01

REDEX, an advanced prototype expert system that diagnoses hardware failures in the Ranging Equipment (RE) at NASA's Ground Network tracking stations is described. REDEX will help the RE technician identify faulty circuit cards or modules that must be replaced, and thereby reduce troubleshooting time. It features a highly graphical user interface that uses color block diagrams and layout diagrams to illustrate the location of a fault. A semantic network knowledge representation technique was used to model the design structure of the RE. A catalog of generic troubleshooting rules was compiled to represent heuristics that are applied in diagnosing electronic equipment. Specific troubleshooting rules were identified to represent additional diagnostic knowledge that is unique to the RE. Over 50 generic and 250 specific troubleshooting rules have been derived. REDEX is implemented in Prolog on an IBM PC AT-compatible workstation. Block diagram graphics displays are color-coded to identify signals that have been monitored or inferred to have nominal values, signals that are out of tolerance, and circuit cards and functions that are diagnosed as faulty. A hypertext-like scheme is used to allow the user to easily navigate through the space of diagrams and tables. Over 50 graphic and tabular displays have been implemented. REDEX is currently being evaluated in a stand-alone mode using simulated RE fault scenarios. It will soon be interfaced to the RE and tested in an online environment. When completed and fielded, REDEX will be a concrete example of the application of expert systems technology to the problem of improving performance and reducing the lifecycle costs of operating NASA's communications networks in the 1990's.

REDEX: The ranging equipment diagnostic expert system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luczak, Edward C.; Gopalakrishnan, K.; Zillig, David J.

1989-01-01

REDEX, an advanced prototype expert system that diagnoses hardware failures in the Ranging Equipment (RE) at NASA's Ground Network tracking stations is described. REDEX will help the RE technician identify faulty circuit cards or modules that must be replaced, and thereby reduce troubleshooting time. It features a highly graphical user interface that uses color block diagrams and layout diagrams to illustrate the location of a fault. A semantic network knowledge representation technique was used to model the design structure of the RE. A catalog of generic troubleshooting rules was compiled to represent heuristics that are applied in diagnosing electronic equipment. Specific troubleshooting rules were identified to represent additional diagnostic knowledge that is unique to the RE. Over 50 generic and 250 specific troubleshooting rules have been derived. REDEX is implemented in Prolog on an IBM PC AT-compatible workstation. Block diagram graphics displays are color-coded to identify signals that have been monitored or inferred to have nominal values, signals that are out of tolerance, and circuit cards and functions that are diagnosed as faulty. A hypertext-like scheme is used to allow the user to easily navigate through the space of diagrams and tables. Over 50 graphic and tabular displays have been implemented. REDEX is currently being evaluated in a stand-alone mode using simulated RE fault scenarios. It will soon be interfaced to the RE and tested in an online environment. When completed and fielded, REDEX will be a concrete example of the application of expert systems technology to the problem of improving performance and reducing the lifecycle costs of operating NASA's communications networks in the 1990's.

Shuttle Ground Support Equipment (GSE) T-0 Umbilical to Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Flight Elements Consultation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Timmy R.; Kichak, Robert A.; McManamen, John P.; Kramer-White, Julie; Raju, Ivatury S.; Beil, Robert J.; Weeks, John F.; Elliott, Kenny B.

2009-01-01

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) was tasked with assessing the validity of an alternate opinion that surfaced during the investigation of recurrent failures at the Space Shuttle T-0 umbilical interface. The most visible problem occurred during the Space Transportation System (STS)-112 launch when pyrotechnics used to separate Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Hold-Down Post (HDP) frangible nuts failed to fire. Subsequent investigations recommended several improvements to the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and processing changes were implemented, including replacement of ground-half cables and connectors between flights, along with wiring modifications to make critical circuits quad-redundant across the interface. The alternate opinions maintained that insufficient data existed to exonerate the design, that additional data needed to be gathered under launch conditions, and that the interface should be further modified to ensure additional margin existed to preclude failure. The results of the assessment are contained in this report.

Information technology equipment cooling method

DOEpatents

Schultz, Mark D.

2015-10-20

According to one embodiment, a system for removing heat from a rack of information technology equipment may include a sidecar indoor air to liquid heat exchanger that cools air utilized by the rack of information technology equipment to cool the rack of information technology equipment. The system may also include a liquid to liquid heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger. The system may further include configurable pathways to connect and control fluid flow through the sidecar heat exchanger, the liquid to liquid heat exchanger, the rack of information technology equipment, and the outdoor heat exchanger based upon ambient temperature and/or ambient humidity to remove heat generated by the rack of information technology equipment.

F 16915 prevents heart failure-induced atrial fibrillation: a promising new drug as upstream therapy.

PubMed

Le Grand, Bruno; Letienne, Robert; Dupont-Passelaigue, Elisabeth; Lantoine-Adam, Frédérique; Longo, Frédéric; David-Dufilho, Monique; Michael, Georghia; Nishida, Kunihiro; Catheline, Daniel; Legrand, Philippe; Hatem, Stéphane; Nattel, Stanley

2014-07-01

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication of heart failure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a new pure docosahexaenoic acid derivative called F 16915 in experimental models of heart failure-induced atria dysfunction. The atrial dysfunction-induced AF was investigated (1) in a dog model of tachypacing-induced congestive heart failure and (2) in a rat model of heart failure induced by occlusion of left descending coronary artery and 2 months reperfusion. F 16915 (5 g/day for 4 weeks) significantly reduced the mean duration of AF induced by burst pacing in the dog model (989 ± 111 s in the vehicle group to 79 ± 59 s with F 16915, P < 0.01). This dose of F 16915 also significantly reduced the incidence of sustained AF (5/5 dogs in the vehicle group versus 1/5 with F 16915, P < 0.05). In the rat model, the percentage of shortening fraction in the F 16915 group (100 mg/kg p.o. daily) was significantly restored after 2 months (32.6 ± 7.4 %, n = 9 vs 17.6 ± 3.4 %, n = 9 in the vehicle group, P < 0.01). F 16915 also reduced the de-phosphorylation of connexin43 from atria tissue. The present results show that treatment with F 16915 reduced the heart dilation, resynchronized the gap junction activity, and reduced the AF duration in models of heart failure. Thus, F 16915 constitutes a promising new drug as upstream therapy for the treatment of AF in patients with heart failure.

DNAzyme based gap-LCR detection of single-nucleotide polymorphism.

PubMed

Zhou, Li; Du, Feng; Zhao, Yongyun; Yameen, Afshan; Chen, Haodong; Tang, Zhuo

2013-07-15

Fast and accurate detection of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is thought more and more important for understanding of human physiology and elucidating the molecular based diseases. A great deal of effort has been devoted to developing accurate, rapid, and cost-effective technologies for SNP analysis. However most of those methods developed to date incorporate complicated probe labeling and depend on advanced equipment. The DNAzyme based Gap-LCR detection method averts any chemical modification on probes and circumvents those problems by incorporating a short functional DNA sequence into one of LCR primers. Two kinds of exonuclease are utilized in our strategy to digest all the unreacted probes and release the DNAzymes embedded in the LCR product. The DNAzyme applied in our method is a versatile tool to report the result of SNP detection in colorimetric or fluorometric ways for different detection purposes. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

40 CFR 160.61 - Equipment design.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Equipment design. 160.61 Section 160.61 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Equipment § 160.61 Equipment design. Equipment used in the generation...

Acute kidney failure

MedlinePlus

Kidney failure; Renal failure; Renal failure - acute; ARF; Kidney injury - acute ... There are many possible causes of kidney damage. They include: ... cholesterol (cholesterol emboli) Decreased blood flow due to very ...

21 CFR 226.30 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE FOR TYPE A MEDICATED ARTICLES Construction and Maintenance of Facilities and Equipment § 226.30 Equipment. Equipment used for the manufacture, processing, packaging, bulk... maintained in a clean and orderly manner and shall be of suitable design, size, construction, and location to...

50 CFR 260.102 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 50 Wildlife and Fisheries 9 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Equipment. 260.102 Section 260.102... Products for Human Consumption Requirements for Plants Operating Under Continuous Inspection on A Contract Basis 1 § 260.102 Equipment. All equipment used for receiving, washing, segregating, picking, processing...

Gap and stripline combined monitor

DOEpatents

Yin, Y.

1984-02-16

A combined gap and stripline monitor device for measuring the intensity and position of a charged particle beam bunch in a beam pipe of a synchrotron radiation facility. The monitor has first and second beam pipe portions with an axial gap therebetween. An outer pipe cooperates with the first beam pipe portion to form a gap enclosure, while inner strips cooperate with the first beam pipe portion to form a stripline monitor, with the stripline length being the same as the gap enclosure length.

[Chronic heart failure].

PubMed

Gosch, Markus

2008-08-01

As a consequence of the increasing life expectancy the number of patients suffering from chronic heart failure has been growing continuously in the past few decades, especially in the group of the old and oldest. Frailty is a clinical syndrome that geriatricians attach great importance to. Like many other diseases chronic heart failure can cause frailty. Based on the experience that we see only a small correlation between the functional capacity of patients with heart failure and the results of cardiological findings, the model of peripheral myopathy in chronic heart failure was developed. Different pathophysiological changes may cause the increasing exercise intolerance in patients with chronic heart failure. We can already consider different experimental approaches to the therapy of frailty caused by chronic heart failure. At the moment we have to focus our efforts on an optimal therapy of heart failure, especially with angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers, and on individual endurance and strength training.

Deriving Function-failure Similarity Information for Failure-free Rotorcraft Component Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, Rory A.; Stone, Robert B.; Tumer, Irem Y.; Clancy, Daniel (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Performance and safety are the top concerns of high-risk aerospace applications at NASA. Eliminating or reducing performance and safety problems can be achieved with a thorough understanding of potential failure modes in the design that lead to these problems. The majority of techniques use prior knowledge and experience as well as Failure Modes and Effects as methods to determine potential failure modes of aircraft. The aircraft design needs to be passed through a general technique to ensure that every potential failure mode is considered, while avoiding spending time on improbable failure modes. In this work, this is accomplished by mapping failure modes to certain components, which are described by their functionality. In turn, the failure modes are then linked to the basic functions that are carried within the components of the aircraft. Using the technique proposed in this paper, designers can examine the basic functions, and select appropriate analyses to eliminate or design out the potential failure modes. This method was previously applied to a simple rotating machine test rig with basic functions that are common to a rotorcraft. In this paper, this technique is applied to the engine and power train of a rotorcraft, using failures and functions obtained from accident reports and engineering drawings.

40 CFR 792.61 - Equipment design.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Equipment design. 792.61 Section 792.61 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (CONTINUED) GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Equipment § 792.61 Equipment design. Equipment used in the...

47 CFR 18.203 - Equipment authorization.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Equipment authorization. 18.203 Section 18.203 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION GENERAL INDUSTRIAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Applications and Authorizations § 18.203 Equipment authorization. (a) Consumer ISM equipment, unless otherwise specified, must be authorized...

47 CFR 18.203 - Equipment authorization.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Equipment authorization. 18.203 Section 18.203 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION GENERAL INDUSTRIAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Applications and Authorizations § 18.203 Equipment authorization. (a) Consumer ISM equipment, unless otherwise specified, must be authorized...

47 CFR 18.203 - Equipment authorization.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Equipment authorization. 18.203 Section 18.203 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION GENERAL INDUSTRIAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Applications and Authorizations § 18.203 Equipment authorization. (a) Consumer ISM equipment, unless otherwise specified, must be authorized...

47 CFR 18.203 - Equipment authorization.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Equipment authorization. 18.203 Section 18.203 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION GENERAL INDUSTRIAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Applications and Authorizations § 18.203 Equipment authorization. (a) Consumer ISM equipment, unless otherwise specified, must be authorized...

47 CFR 18.203 - Equipment authorization.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Equipment authorization. 18.203 Section 18.203 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION GENERAL INDUSTRIAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Applications and Authorizations § 18.203 Equipment authorization. (a) Consumer ISM equipment, unless otherwise specified, must be authorized...

Ampoule Failure System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watring, Dale A. (Inventor); Johnson, Martin L. (Inventor)

1996-01-01

An ampoule failure system for use in material processing furnaces comprising a containment cartridge and an ampoule failure sensor. The containment cartridge contains an ampoule of toxic material therein and is positioned within a furnace for processing. An ampoule failure probe is positioned in the containment cartridge adjacent the ampoule for detecting a potential harmful release of toxic material therefrom during processing. The failure probe is spaced a predetermined distance from the ampoule and is chemically chosen so as to undergo a timely chemical reaction with the toxic material upon the harmful release thereof. The ampoule failure system further comprises a data acquisition system which is positioned externally of the furnace and is electrically connected to the ampoule failure probe so as to form a communicating electrical circuit. The data acquisition system includes an automatic shutdown device for shutting down the furnace upon the harmful release of toxic material. It also includes a resistance measuring device for measuring the resistance of the failure probe during processing. The chemical reaction causes a step increase in resistance of the failure probe whereupon the automatic shutdown device will responsively shut down the furnace.

49 CFR 18.32 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Equipment. 18.32 Section 18.32 Transportation... Equipment. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to equipment acquired under a grant or subgrant will vest upon acquisition in the grantee or subgrantee...

Composite Service Life Prediction via Fiber Bundle Testing. Evaluation of Testing Equipment and Data Acquisition System

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-12-01

PREDICTION VIA FIBER BUNDLE TESTING-EVALUATION OF TESTING EQUIPMENT JD DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM PERSONAL AUTHOR(S) Petridis Dimitrios M. i *y?e o j report...experiencing a known number of filament failures per bundle. The results of this investigation are relevant to man-safe applications as in composite pressure...single filament r’iber testing and can become more 29 3> C o - Pwo PwS ?w4 Pw3 Pw2 Pwl PSD Ps5 PS4 Ps3 Ps2 PS! homoiogous correspondence t ~ to Life ( Laqt

Orbiter electrical equipment utilization baseline

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

The baseline for utilization of Orbiter electrical equipment in both electrical and Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) thermal analyses is established. It is a composite catalog of Space Shuttle equipment, as defined in the Shuttle Operational Data Book. The major functions and expected usage of each component type are described. Functional descriptions are designed to provide a fundamental understanding of the Orbiter electrical equipment, to insure correlation of equipment usage within nominal analyses, and to aid analysts in the formulation of off-nominal, contingency analyses.

Dairy Equipment Lubrication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Lake To Lake Dairy Cooperative, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, operates four plants in Wisconsin for processing milk, butter and cheese products from its 1,300 member farms. The large co-op was able to realize substantial savings by using NASA information for improved efficiency in plant maintenance. Under contract to Marshall Space Flight Center, Midwest Research Institute compiled a handbook consolidating information about commercially available lubricants. The handbook details chemical and physical properties, applications, specifications, test procedures and test data for liquid and solid lubricants. Lake To Lake's plant engineer used the handbook to effect savings in maintenance labor and materials costs by reducing the number of lubricants used on certain equipment. Strict U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration regulations preclude lubrication changes n production equipment, but the co-op's maintenance chief was able to eliminate seven types of lubricants for ancillary equipment, such as compressors and high pressure pumps. Handbook data enabled him to select comparable but les expensive lubricants in the materials consolidation process, and simplified lubrication schedules and procedures. The handbook is in continuing use as a reference source when a new item of equipment is purchased.

47 CFR 74.852 - Equipment changes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Equipment changes. 74.852 Section 74.852... Equipment changes. (a) The licensee of a low power auxiliary station may make any changes in the equipment that are deemed desirable or necessary, including replacement with certificated equipment, without...

33 CFR 142.48 - Eyewash equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... CONTINENTAL SHELF ACTIVITIES WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH Personal Protective Equipment § 142.48 Eyewash equipment. Portable or fixed eyewash equipment providing emergency relief must be immediately available near... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Eyewash equipment. 142.48 Section...

33 CFR 142.48 - Eyewash equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... CONTINENTAL SHELF ACTIVITIES WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH Personal Protective Equipment § 142.48 Eyewash equipment. Portable or fixed eyewash equipment providing emergency relief must be immediately available near... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Eyewash equipment. 142.48 Section...

The CO₂ GAP Project--CO₂ GAP as a prognostic tool in emergency departments.

PubMed

Shetty, Amith L; Lai, Kevin H; Byth, Karen

2010-12-01

To determine whether CO₂ GAP [(a-ET) PCO₂] value differs consistently in patients presenting with shortness of breath to the ED requiring ventilatory support. To determine a cut-off value of CO₂ GAP, which is consistently associated with measured outcome and to compare its performance against other derived variables. This prospective observational study was conducted in ED on a convenience sample of 412 from 759 patients who underwent concurrent arterial blood gas and ETCO₂ (end-tidal CO₂) measurement. They were randomized to test sample of 312 patients and validation set of 100 patients. The primary outcome of interest was the need for ventilatory support and secondary outcomes were admission to high dependency unit or death during stay in ED. The randomly selected training set was used to select cut-points for the possible predictors; that is, CO₂ GAP, CO₂ gradient, physiologic dead space and A-a gradient. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of these predictors were validated in the test set of 100 patients.   Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curves revealed the CO₂ GAP performed significantly better than the arterial-alveolar gradient in patients requiring ventilator support (area under the curve 0.950 vs 0.726). A CO₂ GAP ≥10 was associated with assisted ventilation outcomes when applied to the validation test set (100% sensitivity 70% specificity). The CO₂ GAP [(a-ET) PCO₂] differs significantly in patients requiring assisted ventilation when presenting with shortness of breath to EDs and further research addressing the prognostic value of CO₂ GAP in this specific aspect is required. © 2010 The Authors. EMA © 2010 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine.

Gap and stripline combined monitor

DOEpatents

Yin, Y.

1986-08-19

A combined gap and stripline monitor device for measuring the intensity and position of a charged particle beam bunch in a beam pipe of a synchrotron radiation facility is disclosed. The monitor has first and second beam pipe portions with an axial gap therebetween. An outer pipe cooperates with the first beam pipe portion to form a gap enclosure, while inner strips cooperate with the first beam pipe portion to form a stripline monitor, with the stripline length being the same as the gap enclosure length. 4 figs.

45 CFR 1157.32 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Equipment. 1157.32 Section 1157.32 Public Welfare... AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 1157.32 Equipment. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to equipment acquired...

45 CFR 1174.32 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Equipment. 1174.32 Section 1174.32 Public Welfare... STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 1174.32 Equipment. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to equipment...

45 CFR 602.32 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Equipment. 602.32 Section 602.32 Public Welfare....32 Equipment. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to equipment acquired under a grant or subgrant will vest upon acquisition in the grantee or...

45 CFR 1183.32 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Equipment. 1183.32 Section 1183.32 Public Welfare... Equipment. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to equipment acquired under a grant or subgrant will vest upon acquisition in the grantee or subgrantee...

44 CFR 13.32 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 44 Emergency Management and Assistance 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Equipment. 13.32 Section 13... LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 13.32 Equipment. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to equipment acquired under a...

43 CFR 12.72 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 43 Public Lands: Interior 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Equipment. 12.72 Section 12.72 Public... to State and Local Governments Changes, Property, and Subawards § 12.72 Equipment. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to equipment acquired under a...

44 CFR 13.32 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 44 Emergency Management and Assistance 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Equipment. 13.32 Section 13... LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Post-Award Requirements Changes, Property, and Subawards § 13.32 Equipment. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to equipment acquired under a...

49 CFR 195.430 - Firefighting equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Firefighting equipment. 195.430 Section 195.430... PIPELINE Operation and Maintenance § 195.430 Firefighting equipment. Each operator shall maintain adequate firefighting equipment at each pump station and breakout tank area. The equipment must be— (a) In proper...

14 CFR 25.1431 - Electronic equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Electronic equipment. 25.1431 Section 25... AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Equipment Miscellaneous Equipment § 25.1431 Electronic equipment. (a) In showing compliance with § 25.1309 (a) and (b) with respect to radio and electronic...

14 CFR 25.1431 - Electronic equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Electronic equipment. 25.1431 Section 25... AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Equipment Miscellaneous Equipment § 25.1431 Electronic equipment. (a) In showing compliance with § 25.1309 (a) and (b) with respect to radio and electronic...

14 CFR 25.1431 - Electronic equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Electronic equipment. 25.1431 Section 25... AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Equipment Miscellaneous Equipment § 25.1431 Electronic equipment. (a) In showing compliance with § 25.1309 (a) and (b) with respect to radio and electronic...

14 CFR 25.1431 - Electronic equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Electronic equipment. 25.1431 Section 25... AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Equipment Miscellaneous Equipment § 25.1431 Electronic equipment. (a) In showing compliance with § 25.1309 (a) and (b) with respect to radio and electronic...

40 CFR 792.61 - Equipment design.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Equipment design. 792.61 Section 792... (CONTINUED) GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Equipment § 792.61 Equipment design. Equipment used in the... of appropriate design and adequate capacity to function according to the protocol and shall be...

40 CFR 160.61 - Equipment design.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 24 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Equipment design. 160.61 Section 160... LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Equipment § 160.61 Equipment design. Equipment used in the generation... appropriate design and adequate capacity to function according to the protocol and shall be suitably located...

Solving Autonomy Technology Gaps through Wireless Technology and Orion Avionics Architectural Principles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Black, Randy; Bai, Haowei; Michalicek, Andrew; Shelton, Blaine; Villela, Mark

2008-01-01

Currently, autonomy in space applications is limited by a variety of technology gaps. Innovative application of wireless technology and avionics architectural principles drawn from the Orion crew exploration vehicle provide solutions for several of these gaps. The Vision for Space Exploration envisions extensive use of autonomous systems. Economic realities preclude continuing the level of operator support currently required of autonomous systems in space. In order to decrease the number of operators, more autonomy must be afforded to automated systems. However, certification authorities have been notoriously reluctant to certify autonomous software in the presence of humans or when costly missions may be jeopardized. The Orion avionics architecture, drawn from advanced commercial aircraft avionics, is based upon several architectural principles including partitioning in software. Robust software partitioning provides "brick wall" separation between software applications executing on a single processor, along with controlled data movement between applications. Taking advantage of these attributes, non-deterministic applications can be placed in one partition and a "Safety" application created in a separate partition. This "Safety" partition can track the position of astronauts or critical equipment and prevent any unsafe command from executing. Only the Safety partition need be certified to a human rated level. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, Honeywell has teamed with the Ultra WideBand (UWB) Working Group at NASA Johnson Space Center to provide tracking of humans, autonomous systems, and critical equipment. Using UWB the NASA team can determine positioning to within less than one inch resolution, allowing a Safety partition to halt operation of autonomous systems in the event that an unplanned collision is imminent. Another challenge facing autonomous systems is the coordination of multiple autonomous agents. Current approaches address the issue as one of

Spaceflight Ground Support Equipment Reliability & System Safety Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fernandez, Rene; Riddlebaugh, Jeffrey; Brinkman, John; Wilkinson, Myron

2012-01-01

Presented were Reliability Analysis, consisting primarily of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and System Safety Analysis, consisting of Preliminary Hazards Analysis (PHA), performed to ensure that the CoNNeCT (Communications, Navigation, and Networking re- Configurable Testbed) Flight System was safely and reliably operated during its Assembly, Integration and Test (AI&T) phase. A tailored approach to the NASA Ground Support Equipment (GSE) standard, NASA-STD-5005C, involving the application of the appropriate Requirements, S&MA discipline expertise, and a Configuration Management system (to retain a record of the analysis and documentation) were presented. Presented were System Block Diagrams of selected GSE and the corresponding FMEA, as well as the PHAs. Also discussed are the specific examples of the FMEAs and PHAs being used during the AI&T phase to drive modifications to the GSE (via "redlining" of test procedures, and the placement of warning stickers to protect the flight hardware) before being interfaced to the Flight System. These modifications were necessary because failure modes and hazards were identified during the analysis that had not been properly mitigated. Strict Configuration Management was applied to changes (whether due to upgrades or expired calibrations) in the GSE by revisiting the FMEAs and PHAs to reflect the latest System Block Diagrams and Bill Of Material. The CoNNeCT flight system has been successfully assembled, integrated, tested, and shipped to the launch site without incident. This demonstrates that the steps taken to safeguard the flight system when it was interfaced to the various GSE were successful.

How galectin-3 changes acute heart failure decision making in the emergency department.

PubMed

Peacock, W Frank

2014-10-01

When considering the appropriate disposition plan in a patient presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute heart failure (HF), the range of options includes discharge home to intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Unfortunately, there are few objective measures to insure optimal choices, and the currently available science is scant at best. The consequences of a lack of a standardized approach are nowhere more evident than as demonstrated by the worldwide 90-day heart failure rehospitalization rate that exceeds 25%. New strategies to address this important gap in clinical care are sorely needed. The measurement of galectin-3 may represent a new alternative to the historical standard of gestalt-based clinical disposition decisions. Elevated galectin-3 can identify patients at very high risk for short-term adverse outcomes, while low levels identify a population with essentially no 90-day revisits. This prospective objective measure of illness severity may aid in clinical decision making and thus represent a future where rehospitalization after HF is an unusual event.

Gap Test Calibrations And Their Scalin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandusky, Harold

2012-03-01

Common tests for measuring the threshold for shock initiation are the NOL large scale gap test (LSGT) with a 50.8-mm diameter donor/gap and the expanded large scale gap test (ELSGT) with a 95.3-mm diameter donor/gap. Despite the same specifications for the explosive donor and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) gap in both tests, calibration of shock pressure in the gap versus distance from the donor scales by a factor of 1.75, not the 1.875 difference in their sizes. Recently reported model calculations suggest that the scaling discrepancy results from the viscoelastic properties of PMMA in combination with different methods for obtaining shock pressure. This is supported by the consistent scaling of these donors when calibrated in water-filled aquariums. Calibrations and their scaling are compared for other donors with PMMA gaps and for various donors in water.

Management methodology for pressure equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bletchly, P. J.

Pressure equipment constitutes a significant investment in capital and a major proportion of potential high-risk plant in many operations and this is particularly so in an alumina refinery. In many jurisdictions pressure equipment is also subject to statutory regulation that imposes obligations on Owners of the equipment with respect to workplace safety. Most modern technical standards and industry codes of practice employ a risk-based approach to support better decision making with respect to pressure equipment. For a management system to be effective it must demonstrate that risk is being managed within acceptable limits.

Initial assessment of strategic plans for improving the performance of veterinary services in developing countries: a review of OIE PVS gap analysis reports.

PubMed

Weaver, J; Leon, E; Edan, M; D'Alessio, F

2012-08-01

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) carries out Gap Analysis missions (if a country so wishes) as part of its programme to assess and improve the Performance of Veterinary Services (the 'PVS Pathway') in Member Countries. These Gap Analysis missions have found that many national Veterinary Services comply to only a limited extent with the international standards established by the OIE and that their competence is compromised by poor governance. This failure threatens animal and public health not only nationally but also internationally. The OIE PVS Gap Analysis reports reviewed found that all the Veterinary Services have a strong vision and commitmentto improvement but are held back by a weak chain of command, inadequate and outdated legislation, insufficient funding, weak technical competencies, compromised technical independence, poor communications and limited joint programmes. There are weaknesses across all the core technical areas of trade, animal health, veterinary public health and veterinary laboratories and also in the overall management of the Veterinary Services. The OIE PVS Gap Analysis missions recommend significant increases in budget in all countries.

14 CFR 23.1431 - Electronic equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Electronic equipment. 23.1431 Section 23... Equipment § 23.1431 Electronic equipment. (a) In showing compliance with § 23.1309(b)(1) and (2) with respect to radio and electronic equipment and their installations, critical environmental conditions must...

14 CFR 23.1431 - Electronic equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Electronic equipment. 23.1431 Section 23... Equipment § 23.1431 Electronic equipment. (a) In showing compliance with § 23.1309(a), (b), and (c) with respect to radio and electronic equipment and their installations, critical environmental conditions must...

14 CFR 23.1431 - Electronic equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Electronic equipment. 23.1431 Section 23... Equipment § 23.1431 Electronic equipment. (a) In showing compliance with § 23.1309(a), (b), and (c) with respect to radio and electronic equipment and their installations, critical environmental conditions must...

21 CFR 58.61 - Equipment design.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Equipment design. 58.61 Section 58.61 Food and... PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Equipment § 58.61 Equipment design. Equipment used in the... of appropriate design and adequate capacity to function according to the protocol and shall be...

21 CFR 58.61 - Equipment design.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Equipment design. 58.61 Section 58.61 Food and... PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Equipment § 58.61 Equipment design. Equipment used in the... of appropriate design and adequate capacity to function according to the protocol and shall be...

45 CFR 92.32 - Equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR