Impact of Water Quality on Chlorine Demand of Corroding Copper

EPA Science Inventory

Copper is the most widely used material in drinking water premise plumbing systems. In buildings such as hospitals, large and complicated plumbing networks make it difficult to maintain good water quality. Sustaining safe disinfectant residuals throughout a building to protect ag...

A comparative study of zirconium and titanium implants in rat: osseointegration and bone material quality.

PubMed

Hoerth, Rebecca M; Katunar, María R; Gomez Sanchez, Andrea; Orellano, Juan C; Ceré, Silvia M; Wagermaier, Wolfgang; Ballarre, Josefina

2014-02-01

Permanent metal implants are widely used in human medical treatments and orthopedics, for example as hip joint replacements. They are commonly made of titanium alloys and beyond the optimization of this established material, it is also essential to explore alternative implant materials in view of improved osseointegration. The aim of our study was to characterize the implant performance of zirconium in comparison to titanium implants. Zirconium implants have been characterized in a previous study concerning material properties and surface characteristics in vitro, such as oxide layer thickness and surface roughness. In the present study, we compare bone material quality around zirconium and titanium implants in terms of osseointegration and therefore characterized bone material properties in a rat model using a multi-method approach. We used light and electron microscopy, micro Raman spectroscopy, micro X-ray fluorescence and X-ray scattering techniques to investigate the osseointegration in terms of compositional and structural properties of the newly formed bone. Regarding the mineralization level, the mineral composition, and the alignment and order of the mineral particles, our results show that the maturity of the newly formed bone after 8 weeks of implantation is already very high. In conclusion, the bone material quality obtained for zirconium implants is at least as good as for titanium. It seems that the zirconium implants can be a good candidate for using as permanent metal prosthesis for orthopedic treatments.

Trends of microwave dielectric materials for antenna application

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

Sulong, T. A. T., E-mail: tuanamirahtuansulong@gmail.com; Osman, R. A. M., E-mail: rozana@unimap.edu.my; Idris, M. S., E-mail: sobri@unimap.edu.my

Rapid development of a modern microwave communication system requires a high quality microwave dielectric ceramic material to be used as mobile and satellite communication. High permittivity of dielectric ceramics leads to fabrication of compact device for electronic components. Dielectric ceramics which used for microwave applications required three important parameters such as high or appropriate permittivity (ε{sub r}), high quality factor (Q {sub f} ≥ 5000 GH z) and good temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ{sub f}). This paper review of various dielectric ceramic materials used as microwave dielectric materials and related parameters for antenna applications.

[Special aspects of quality of Tibetan medicines--insights from over 40 years of manufacturing experience in Switzerland].

PubMed

Schwabl, Alexandra; Gämperle, Erich

2013-01-01

Tibetan recipes are complex formulas from plant and mineral ingredients. Padma Inc. has been producing selected formulas from Tibetan Medicine in Switzerland since more than 40 years. Modern quality standards and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines are followed, ensuring the quality of the raw materials through the manufacturing processes to the finished product. The aim is to provide these valuable formulas to people in the West in a consistently high quality 'made in Switzerland'. The production according to modern quality standards is challenging, draws on many resources, and requires specialized expertise, e.g. in the procurement of raw materials and the quality analysis including pharmacognostic and botanical knowledge.

Reason behind wet pack after steam sterilization and its consequences: An overview from Central Sterile Supply Department of a cancer center in eastern India.

PubMed

Basu, Debabrata

Wet pack after steam sterilization process that means there are surely obtain millions of microorganisms that can breed and multiply rapidly and objects are unsterile and can never be used for further procedure. There are many reasons behind the wet pack occurrences after autoclaving like poor quality of wrapping materials, faulty valves of rigid container, faulty loading and packaging technique, poor steam quality, sterilizer malfunction and may be design related problems in CSSD sterile storage area. Cause of wet pack after steam sterilization processes may occur severe problems because of wasted time and effort, increased work load, increased cost, potentially contaminated instruments, infection risk to the patient, poor patient outcomes and delayed or cancellation of procedures. But such wet pack scenario can be avoided by various methods by using good steam (water) quality, performing periodic maintenance of the Autoclaves, avoidance of sterilizer overloading, allowing adequate post sterilization time to cool down the materials to room temperature, using good quality wrapping materials, properly maintain temperature and humidity of sterile storage area etc. Copyright © 2016 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

19 CFR 181.43 - Eligible goods subject to drawback.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... exported to Canada or Mexico (see 19 U.S.C. 1313(j)(1)); (b) Used as a material in the production of another good that is subsequently exported to Canada or Mexico (see 19 U.S.C. 1313(a)); or (c) Substituted by a good of the same kind and quality as defined in § 181.44(c) of this subpart and used as a...

19 CFR 181.43 - Eligible goods subject to drawback.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... exported to Canada or Mexico (see 19 U.S.C. 1313(j)(1)); (b) Used as a material in the production of another good that is subsequently exported to Canada or Mexico (see 19 U.S.C. 1313(a)); or (c) Substituted by a good of the same kind and quality as defined in § 181.44(c) of this subpart and used as a...

[Ambulant compression therapy for crural ulcers; an effective treatment when applied skilfully].

PubMed

de Boer, Edith M; Geerkens, Maud; Mooij, Michael C

2015-01-01

The incidence of crural ulcers is high. They reduce quality of life considerably and create a burden on the healthcare budget. The key treatment is ambulant compression therapy (ACT). We describe two patients with crural ulcers whose ambulant compression treatment was suboptimal and did not result in healing. When the bandages were applied correctly healing was achieved. If correctly applied ACT should provide sufficient pressure to eliminate oedema, whilst taking local circumstances such as bony structures and arterial qualities into consideration. To provide pressure-to-measure regular practical training, skills and regular quality checks are needed. Knowledge of the properties of bandages and the proper use of materials for padding under the bandage enables good personalised ACT. In trained hands adequate compression and making use of simple bandages and dressings provides good care for patients suffering from crural ulcers in contrast to inadequate ACT using the same materials.

Study on electroplating technology of diamond tools for machining hard and brittle materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Ying; Chen, Jian Hua; Sun, Li Peng; Wang, Yue

2016-10-01

With the development of the high speed cutting, the ultra-precision machining and ultrasonic vibration technique in processing hard and brittle material , the requirement of cutting tools is becoming higher and higher. As electroplated diamond tools have distinct advantages, such as high adaptability, high durability, long service life and good dimensional stability, the cutting tools are effective and extensive used in grinding hard and brittle materials. In this paper, the coating structure of electroplating diamond tool is described. The electroplating process flow is presented, and the influence of pretreatment on the machining quality is analyzed. Through the experimental research and summary, the reasonable formula of the electrolyte, the electroplating technologic parameters and the suitable sanding method were determined. Meanwhile, the drilling experiment on glass-ceramic shows that the electroplating process can effectively improve the cutting performance of diamond tools. It has laid a good foundation for further improving the quality and efficiency of the machining of hard and brittle materials.

Quality of the delivery services in health facilities in Northern Ethiopia.

PubMed

Fisseha, Girmatsion; Berhane, Yemane; Worku, Alemayehu; Terefe, Wondwossen

2017-03-09

Substantial improvements have been observed in the coverage of and access to maternal health service, especially in skilled birth attendants, in Ethiopia. However, the quality of care has been lagging behind. Therefore, this study investigated the status of the quality of delivery services in Northern Ethiopia. A facility based survey was conducted from December 2014 to February 2015 in Northern Ethiopia. The quality of delivery service was assessed in 32 health facilities using a facility audit checklist, by reviewing delivery, by conducting in-depth interview and observation, and by conducting exit interviews with eligible mothers. Facilities were considered as 'good quality' if they scored positively on 75% of the quality indicators set in the national guidelines for all the three components; input (materials, infrastructure, and human resource), process (adherence to standard care procedures during intrapartum and immediate postpartum periods) and output (the mothers' satisfaction and utilization of lifesaving procedures). Overall 2 of 32 (6.3%) of the study facilities fulfilled all the three quality components; input, process and output. Two of the three components were assessed as good in 11 of the 32 (34.4%) health facilities. The input quality was the better of the other quality components; which was good in 21 out of the 32 (65.6%) health facilities. The process and output quality was good in only 10 of the 32 (31.3%) facilities. Only 6.3% of the studied health facilities had good quality in all three dimensions of quality measures that was done in accordance to the national delivery service guidelines. The most compromised quality component was the process. Systematic and sustained efforts need to be strengthened to improve all dimensions of quality in order to achieve the desired quality of delivery services and increase the proportion of births occurring in health facilities.

The quality of life and satisfaction with life of women who are childless by choice.

PubMed

Bień, Agnieszka; Rzońca, Ewa; Iwanowicz-Palus, Grażyna; Lecyk, Urszula; Bojar, Iwona

2017-05-11

Objective. The study attempts to identify and analyze factors affecting the quality of life and satisfaction with life of women who are childless by choice. Materials and method. The research instruments used were: the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and author's own questionnaire. Results. A better overall quality of life, perception of own health and quality of life in all the specific domains analyzed was found among childless women living in cities, college/university-educated, and with a good or very good financial standing. Conclusions. A positive correlation was found between satisfaction with life and overall quality of life, general perceived health, and all quality of life domains. Higher satisfaction with life scores in childless women are correlated with a higher quality of life scores and better perceived health.

46 CFR 160.040-3 - Materials, construction, workmanship, and performance requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Appliance, Impulse-Projected Rocket Type (and Equipment) § 160.040-3 Materials, construction, workmanship...-projected rocket type line-throwing appliances and equipment shall be of good quality suitable for the... operation aboard vessels at sea. (c) Workmanship. Impulse-projected rocket type line-throwing appliances...

46 CFR 160.040-3 - Materials, construction, workmanship, and performance requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Appliance, Impulse-Projected Rocket Type (and Equipment) § 160.040-3 Materials, construction, workmanship...-projected rocket type line-throwing appliances and equipment shall be of good quality suitable for the... operation aboard vessels at sea. (c) Workmanship. Impulse-projected rocket type line-throwing appliances...

46 CFR 160.040-3 - Materials, construction, workmanship, and performance requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Appliance, Impulse-Projected Rocket Type (and Equipment) § 160.040-3 Materials, construction, workmanship...-projected rocket type line-throwing appliances and equipment shall be of good quality suitable for the... operation aboard vessels at sea. (c) Workmanship. Impulse-projected rocket type line-throwing appliances...

46 CFR 160.040-3 - Materials, construction, workmanship, and performance requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Appliance, Impulse-Projected Rocket Type (and Equipment) § 160.040-3 Materials, construction, workmanship...-projected rocket type line-throwing appliances and equipment shall be of good quality suitable for the... operation aboard vessels at sea. (c) Workmanship. Impulse-projected rocket type line-throwing appliances...

46 CFR 160.040-3 - Materials, construction, workmanship, and performance requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Appliance, Impulse-Projected Rocket Type (and Equipment) § 160.040-3 Materials, construction, workmanship...-projected rocket type line-throwing appliances and equipment shall be of good quality suitable for the... operation aboard vessels at sea. (c) Workmanship. Impulse-projected rocket type line-throwing appliances...

Transplant Options When You Don't Have a 'Good Match'

MedlinePlus

... for Transplant Nurses , Second Edition. Visit Online Store Patient Education ITNS offers high quality patient education materials in multiple languages. Download Educational Booklets Symposium ...

Development of Course Material in a Multi-Author Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schlotter, Michael

2009-01-01

Software for text processing and presentation design is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Nevertheless, it is difficult to find a good solution for collaborative writing of technical course material, allowing the creation of high quality lecture notes and presentation slides from a single source. This article presents a new editing framework…

Heavy Duty and Industrial Alternative Fuel Applications. Forklift and Material Handling. Alternative Fuels Training.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eckert, Doug; Casto, Lori

This training manual is designed to lay the foundation for trainers and technicians by showing the steps to achieve and maintain good indoor air quality through use of cleaner-burning forklifts and materials handlers. The first part of the manual consists of nine units that provide informational material and diagrams on these topics: comparison of…

Lake eutrophication as indicated by ERTS satellite imagery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scherz, J. P.; Van Domelen, J. F.; Holtje, K.; Johnson, W.

1975-01-01

Light reflectance from water in the laboratory always correlates to the water quality parameter of turbidity. This turbidity is caused by suspended solids in the water and for a particular type of material there is a good correlation between the weight of these suspended solids and turbidity. However, this correlation is different for different types of material. When this suspended material is living green matter as in an eutrophic lake, the changes in reflectance can be detected as changes in brightness on a particular aerial image. Two test sites have shown that there is indeed a good correlation between the brightness on an ERTS image and lake eutrophication.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) transformation using mature embryos.

PubMed

Medvecká, Eva; Harwood, Wendy A

2015-01-01

In most protocols for the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of wheat, the preferred target tissues are immature embryos. However, transformation methods relying on immature embryos require the growth of plants under controlled conditions to provide a continuous supply of good-quality target tissue. The use of mature embryos as a target tissue has the advantage of only requiring good-quality seed as the starting material. Here we describe a transformation method based on the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of callus cultures derived from mature wheat embryos of the genotype Bobwhite S56.

British Thoracic Society Quality Standards for acute non-invasive ventilation in adults

PubMed Central

Davies, Michael; Allen, Martin; Bentley, Andrew; Bourke, Stephen C; Creagh-Brown, Ben; D’Oliveiro, Rachel; Glossop, Alastair; Gray, Alasdair; Jacobs, Phillip; Mahadeva, Ravi; Moses, Rachael; Setchfield, Ian

2018-01-01

Introduction The purpose of the quality standards document is to provide healthcare professionals, commissioners, service providers and patients with a guide to standards of care that should be met for the provision of acute non-invasive ventilation in adults together with measurable markers of good practice. Methods Development of British Thoracic Society (BTS) Quality Standards follows the BTS process of quality standard production based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence process manual for the development of quality standards. Results 6 quality statements have been developed, each describing a standard of care for the provision of acute non-invasive ventilation in the UK, together with measurable markers of good practice. Conclusion BTS Quality Standards for acute non-invasive ventilation in adults form a key part of the range of supporting materials that the Society produces to assist in the dissemination and implementation of guideline’s recommendations. PMID:29636979

Next step in manufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koenig, Jan D.

2018-04-01

Thermoelectric devices convert heat flows into electricity. Researchers recently demonstrated that thermoelectric materials can be produced in good quality by 3D printing, enabling a low-cost production process in the near future.

[Health-related quality of life evaluation of elderly aged 65 years and over living at home].

PubMed

Jalenques, I; Auclair, C; Rondepierre, F; Gerbaud, L; Tourtauchaux, R

2015-06-01

To assess health-related quality of life in French adults aged 65 years and over, living at home, with a specific self-administered questionnaire, the LEIPAD, cross-culturally adapted in French. Elderly completed socio-demographic and medical questionnaires, a questionnaire about negative life events during the last 12 months and the LEIPAD. Data of 195 subjects (mean age: 72.6 years, men: 56.5%) were analyzed. The response rates to the LEIPAD scales were superior to 90%. Elderly reported on the whole a good health-related quality of life. Age had a negative effect on quality on life, which deteriorates over years. Age was correlated to the scales "Physical function", "Self-care", "Cognitive functioning" and "Sexual functioning". Elderly hospitalized in the last year had worse quality of life with a significant difference for "Physical function" scale. The number of health problems was positively correlated to "Physical function" scale. Elderly declaring at least one health problem had worse quality of life for this scale. Problems in couple, materials and financial problems had also negative effects on health-related quality of life. Our study highlights a good health-related quality of life for the majority of these adults aged 65 years and over, as well as the negative effect of age, health, couple, materials and financial problems on their quality of life. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Marketing Schools: Consumer Goods and Competitive Incentives for Consumer Information

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lubienski, Christopher

2007-01-01

Effective school-choice plans depend on the quality of information available to families. Examining the promotional materials provided by different schools in a highly competitive and diverse urban area tells us not only about the quality of that information but also how schools respond to competitive incentives. This analysis outlines an economic…

Evaluation of United States Department of Agriculture-sponsored consumer materials addressing food security.

PubMed

Tolma, Eleni; John, Robert; Garner, Jane

2007-01-01

Food insecurity in the United States is a major public health issue. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the availability and quality of printed materials addressing food security targeted to special populations by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Nutrition education resources addressing food security available from USDA websites were selected for analysis. Not applicable. The review team consisted of project staff (n = 6), two of who were fluent in Spanish. Selection criteria were established to identify the food-security materials, and a group of reviewers assessed the quality of each publication both quantitatively and qualitatively. A consensus meeting among the reviewers was held to make final determinations of the quality of the materials. The quantitative data analysis consisted of basic descriptive statistics. Among the 27 materials initially identified, 20 were either irrelevant or of low relevance to food security. Moreover, very few of them were intended for minority populations. The quality of most of the materials ranged from "average" to "good." Some of the major weaknesses include readability level, lack of cultural relevance, and inadequate coverage of food insecurity. Very few materials on food insecurity are of high quality. In the development of such materials, emphasis should be given to the readability level, content, and cultural relevance.

Design and construction of an experimental pervious paved parking area to harvest reusable rainwater.

PubMed

Gomez-Ullate, E; Novo, A V; Bayon, J R; Hernandez, Jorge R; Castro-Fresno, Daniel

2011-01-01

Pervious pavements are sustainable urban drainage systems already known as rainwater infiltration techniques which reduce runoff formation and diffuse pollution in cities. The present research is focused on the design and construction of an experimental parking area, composed of 45 pervious pavement parking bays. Every pervious pavement was experimentally designed to store rainwater and measure the levels of the stored water and its quality over time. Six different pervious surfaces are combined with four different geotextiles in order to test which materials respond better to the good quality of rainwater storage over time and under the specific weather conditions of the north of Spain. The aim of this research was to obtain a good performance of pervious pavements that offered simultaneously a positive urban service and helped to harvest rainwater with a good quality to be used for non potable demands.

China Report, Economic Affairs

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-04-09

improve the quality of goods for export. Jinan Knitwear Mill imported advanced technology to replace obsolete equipment and raised product quality...concentrating their strength on improving technology and developing social productive forces, fully developing their own strong points and running...Discovered in Qinghai 44 INDUSTRY Fashion Design Booming Industry in China (XINHUA, 17 Mar 86) 45 b - Anhui Raw Materials Development

Navy Fact File 1984

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-10-01

Textile Fibers/Products Foods , Feeds, Beverages Industrial Supplies Value of Goods Exported ($ billions) 1958 1968 1978 $18.1 billion...character of its government, the soundness of its economy, its industrial efficiency, the development of its internal communications, the quality...decades the United States produced more raw materials than its growing industrial complex could consume. From a raw-materials-surplus-nation we

A Collaborative Design Curriculum for Reviving Sheet Metal Handicraft

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, Patrick K. C.

2015-01-01

Galvanised sheet metal was a popular and important material for producing handmade home utensils in Hong Kong from the 1930s onwards. It was gradually replaced by new materials like stainless steel and plastic because similar goods made with these are cheaper, more standardised, more durable and of much better quality. The handicrafts behind sheet…

Why Buy Single-Ply?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gwizdala, Mike

1999-01-01

Explains the benefits of prefabricated reinforced thermoplastic single-ply roofs as good solutions for education-facility roofing needs. Top benefits include durability, energy efficiency, no maintenance required, no hazardous materials present, and very water and wind resistant qualities. (GR)

Microstructural and Material Quality Effects on Rolling Contact Fatigue of Highly Elastic Intermetallic Ball Bearings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DellaCorte, Christopher; Howard, S. Adam; Thomas, Fransua; Stanford, Malcolm K.

2016-01-01

Rolling element bearings made from highly-elastic intermetallic materials (HIM)s, such as 60NiTi, are under development for applications that require superior corrosion and shock resistance. Compared to steel, intermetallics have been shown to have much lower rolling contact fatigue (RCF) stress capability in simplified 3-ball on rod (ASTM STP 771) fatigue tests. In the 3-ball tests, poor material quality and microstructural flaws negatively affect fatigue life but such relationships have not been established for full-scale 60NiTi bearings. In this paper, 3-ball-on-rod fatigue behavior of two quality grades of 60NiTi are compared to the fatigue life of full-scale 50mm bore ball bearings made from the same materials. 60NiTi RCF rods with material or microstructural flaws suffered from infant mortality failures at all tested stress levels while high quality 60NiTi rods exhibited no failures at lower stress levels. Similarly, tests of full-scale bearings made from flawed materials exhibited early surface fatigue and through crack type failures while bearings made from high quality material did not fail even in long-term tests. Though the full-scale bearing test data is yet preliminary, the results suggest that the simplified RCF test is a good qualitative predictor of bearing performance. These results provide guidance for materials development and to establish minimum quality levels required for successful bearing operation and life.

Microstructural and Material Quality Effects on Rolling Contact Fatigue of Highly Elastic Intermetallic NiTi Ball Bearings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dellacorte, Christopher; Howard, S. Adam; Thomas, Fransua; Stanford, Malcolm K.

2017-01-01

Rolling element bearings made from highly-elastic intermetallic materials (HIM)s, such as 60NiTi, are under development for applications that require superior corrosion and shock resistance. Compared to steel, intermetallics have been shown to have much lower rolling contact fatigue (RCF) stress capability in simplified 3-ball on rod (ASTM STP 771) fatigue tests. In the 3-ball tests, poor material quality and microstructural flaws negatively affect fatigue life but such relationships have not been established for full-scale 60NiTi bearings. In this paper, 3-ball-on-rod fatigue behavior of two quality grades of 60NiTi are compared to the fatigue life of full-scale 50mm bore ball bearings made from the same materials. 60NiTi RCF rods with material or microstructural flaws suffered from infant mortality failures at all tested stress levels while high quality 60NiTi rods exhibited no failures at lower stress levels. Similarly, tests of full-scale bearings made from flawed materials exhibited early surface fatigue and through crack type failures while bearings made from high quality material did not fail even in long-term tests. Though the full-scale bearing test data is yet preliminary, the results suggest that the simplified RCF test is a good qualitative predictor of bearing performance. These results provide guidance for materials development and to establish minimum quality levels required for successful bearing operation and life.

The innovative safe fixative for histology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry techniques: "pilot study using shellac alcoholic solution fixative".

PubMed

Ali Jamal, Awatif; Abd El-Aziz, Gamal Said; Hamdy, Raid Mahmoud; Al-Hayani, Abdulmonem; Al-Maghrabi, Jaudah

2014-05-01

The concerns over health and workplace hazards of formalin fixative, joined to its cross-linking of molecular groups that results in suboptimal immunohistochemistry, led us to search for an innovative safe fixative. Shellac is a natural material which is used as a preservative in foods and pharmaceutical industries. This study was undertaken to evaluate the fixation adequacy and staining quality of histopathological specimens fixed in the "shellac alcoholic solution" (SAS), and also to determine the validity of immunohistochemical staining of SAS-fixed material in comparison to those fixed in formalin. Fresh samples from 26 cases from various human tissues were collected at the frozen section room of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, and fixed in SAS fixative or in neutral buffered formaldehyde (NBF) for 12, 18, 24, and 48 h, and processed for paraffin sectioning. Deparaffinized sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunostained for different antigens. The tissues fixed in SAS for >18 h showed best staining quality of H&E comparable to NBF-fixed tissues. Comparison of the immunohistochemical staining of different tissues yielded nearly equivalent readings with good positive nuclear staining quality in both fixatives. These findings support the fixation and preservation adequacy of SAS. Furthermore, it was concluded that the good staining quality obtained with SAS-fixed tissues, which was more or less comparable with the quality obtained with the formalin fixed tissues, supports the validity of this new solution as a good innovative fixative. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The effect of gypsum products and separating materials on the typography of denture base materials.

PubMed

Firtell, D N; Walsh, J F; Elahi, J M

1980-09-01

The typography of polymethyl methacrylate processed against various gypsum products coated with various separating materials was studied under an SEM. Tinfoil and two commercial tin foil substitutes were used as separating material during processing, and the surfaces of the resulting acrylic resin forms were studied for topographical differences. Tinfoil and alpha 2 hemihydrates produced the smoothest surfaces. As a practical solution, a good quality tinfoil substitute and alpha 1 hemihydrate could be used when processing polymethyl methacrylate resin.

EAF Management Optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costoiu, M.; Ioana, A.; Semenescu, A.; Marcu, D.

2016-11-01

The article presents the main advantages of electric arc furnace (EAF): it has a great contribution to reintroduce significant quantities of reusable metallic materials in the economic circuit, it constitutes itself as an important part in the Primary Materials and Energy Recovery (PMER), good productivity, good quality / price ratio, the possibility of developing a wide variety of classes and types of steels, including special steels and high alloy. In this paper it is presented some important developments of electric arc furnace: vacuum electric arc furnace, artificial intelligence expert systems for pollution control Steelworks. Another important aspect presented in the article is an original block diagram for optimization the EAF management system. This scheme is based on the original objective function (criterion function) represented by the price / quality ratio. The article presents an original block diagram for optimization the control system of the EAF. For designing this concept of EAF management system, many principles were used.

WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations. Fiftieth report.

PubMed

2016-01-01

The Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations works towards clear, independent and practical standards and guidelines for the quality assurance of medicines. Standards are developed by the Committee through worldwide consultation and an international consensus-building process. The following new guidelines were adopted and recommended for use. Good pharmacopoeial practices; FIP-WHO technical guidelines: points to consider in the provision by health-care professionals of children-specific preparations that are not available as authorized products; Guidance on good manufacturing practices for biological products; Guidance on good manufacturing practices: inspection report, including Appendix 1: Model inspection report; Guidance on good data and record management practices; Good trade and distribution practices for starting materials; Guidelines on the conduct of surveys of the quality of medicines; Collaborative procedure between the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification team and national regulatory authorities in the assessment and accelerated national registration of WHO-prequalified pharmaceutical products and vaccines; Guidance for organizations performing in vivo bioequivalence studies; and World Health Organization (WHO) general guidance on variations to multisource pharmaceutical products.

Understanding critical factors for the quality and shelf-life of MAP fresh meat: a review.

PubMed

Singh, Preeti; Wani, Ali Abas; Saengerlaub, Sven; Langowski, Horst-Christian

2011-02-01

Due to increased demands for greater stringency in relation to hygiene and safety issues associated with fresh food products, coupled with ever-increasing demands by retailers for cost-effective extensions to product shelf-lives and the requirement to meet consumer expectations in relation to convenience and quality, the food packaging industry has rapidly developed to meet and satisfy expectations. One of the areas of research that has shown promise, and had success, is modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The success of MAP-fresh meat depends on many factors including good initial product quality, good hygiene from the source plants, correct packaging material selection, the appropriate gas mix for the product, reliable packaging equipment, and maintenance of controlled temperatures and humidity levels. Advances in plastic materials and equipment have propelled advances in MAP, but other technological and logistical considerations are needed for successful MAP systems for raw chilled meat. Although several parameters critical for the quality of MA packed meat have been studied and each found to be crucial, understanding of the interactions between the parameters is needed. This review was undertaken to present the most comprehensive and current overview of the widely available, scattered information about the various integrated critical factors responsible for the quality and shelf life of MA packed meat with an interest to stimulate further research to optimize different quality parameters.

In-store marketing of inexpensive foods with good nutritional quality in disadvantaged neighborhoods: increased awareness, understanding, and purchasing.

PubMed

Gamburzew, Axel; Darcel, Nicolas; Gazan, Rozenn; Dubois, Christophe; Maillot, Matthieu; Tomé, Daniel; Raffin, Sandrine; Darmon, Nicole

2016-09-27

Consumers often do not understand nutrition labels or do not perceive their usefulness. In addition, price can be a barrier to healthy food choices, especially for socio-economically disadvantaged individuals. A 6-month intervention combined shelf labeling and marketing strategies (signage, prime placement, taste testing) to draw attention to inexpensive foods with good nutritional quality in two stores located in a disadvantaged neighborhood in Marseille (France). The inexpensive foods with good nutritional quality were identified based on their nutrient profile and their price. Their contribution to customers' spending on food was assessed in the two intervention stores and in two control stores during the intervention, as well as in the year preceding the intervention (n = 6625). Exit survey (n = 259) and in-depth survey (n = 116) were used to assess customers' awareness of and perceived usefulness of the program, knowledge of nutrition, understanding of the labeling system, as well as placement-, taste- and preparation-related attractiveness of promoted products. Matched purchasing data were used to assess the contribution of promoted products to total food spending for each customer who participated in the in-depth survey. The contribution of inexpensive foods with good nutritional quality to customers' total food spending increased between 2013 and 2014 for both the control stores and the intervention stores. This increase was significantly higher in the intervention stores than in the control stores for fruits and vegetables (p = 0.001) and for starches (p = 0.011). The exit survey revealed that 31 % of customers had seen the intervention materials; this percentage increased significantly at the end of the intervention (p < 0.001). The in-depth survey showed that customers who had seen the intervention materials scored significantly higher on quizzes assessing nutrition knowledge (p < 0.001) and understanding of the labeling system (p = 0.024). A social marketing intervention aimed at increasing the visibility and attractiveness of inexpensive foods with good nutritional quality may improve food purchasing behaviors in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Precision manufacturing for clinical-quality regenerative medicines.

PubMed

Williams, David J; Thomas, Robert J; Hourd, Paul C; Chandra, Amit; Ratcliffe, Elizabeth; Liu, Yang; Rayment, Erin A; Archer, J Richard

2012-08-28

Innovations in engineering applied to healthcare make a significant difference to people's lives. Market growth is guaranteed by demographics. Regulation and requirements for good manufacturing practice-extreme levels of repeatability and reliability-demand high-precision process and measurement solutions. Emerging technologies using living biological materials add complexity. This paper presents some results of work demonstrating the precision automated manufacture of living materials, particularly the expansion of populations of human stem cells for therapeutic use as regenerative medicines. The paper also describes quality engineering techniques for precision process design and improvement, and identifies the requirements for manufacturing technology and measurement systems evolution for such therapies.

Quality control of estrogen receptor assays.

PubMed

Godolphin, W; Jacobson, B

1980-01-01

Four types of material have been used for the quality control of routine assays of estrogen receptors in human breast tumors. Pieces of hormone-dependent Nb rat mammary tumors gave a precision about 40%. Rat uteri and rat tumors pulverized at liquid nitrogen temperature and stored as powder yielded precision about 30%. Powdered and lyophilised human tumors appear the best with precision as good as 17%.

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) / Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) Review and Applicability for Chemical Security Enhancements

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

Iveson, Steven W.

Global chemical security has been enhanced through the determined use and integration of both voluntary and legislated standards. Many popular standards contain components that specifically detail requirements for the security of materials, facilities and other vital assets. In this document we examine the roll of quality management standards and how they affect the security culture within the institutions that adopt these standards in order to conduct business within the international market place. Good manufacturing practices and good laboratory practices are two of a number of quality management systems that have been adopted as law in many nations. These standards aremore » designed to protect the quality of drugs, medicines, foods and analytical test results in order to provide the world-wide consumer with safe and affective products for consumption. These standards provide no established security protocols and yet manage to increase the security of chemicals, materials, facilities and the supply chain via the effective and complete control over the manufacturing, the global supply chains and testing processes. We discuss the means through which these systems enhance security and how nations can further improve these systems with additional regulations that deal specifically with security in the realm of these management systems. We conclude with a discussion of new technologies that may cause disruption within the industries covered by these standards and how these issues might be addressed in order to maintain or increase the level of security within the industries and nations that have adopted these standards.« less

Three-dimensional porous poly-DL-lactide/basic fibroblast growth factor composites for bone defect repair: an experimental study.

PubMed

Min, Shao-xiong; Jin, An-min; Tong, Bin-hui; Zhu, Li-xin; Tian, Jing

2003-04-01

To investigate the osteoinductive ability of the composites consisting of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and porous poly-DL-lactide (PDLLA) for the development of a new absorbable osteosynthesis material. Highly porous foams of PDLLA with the pore size ranging from 150 to 300 microm were prepared by a solvent-casting, particulate-leaching technique with NaCl as the leachable component. Animal models of radial diaphyseal defects of 1.0 cm with complete removal of the periosteum were induced in 45 rabbits, which were randomly divided into 3 groups to receive the defect repair with PDLLA and PDLLA/bFGF respectively, leaving one group untreated to serve as the control group. The implant specimens were harvested at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks respectively after the surgery and X-ray, histological and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examinations were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of defect repair. At 8 and 12 weeks after implantation, biomechanical test (for three-point bending strength) was employed to study the quality of bone formation. PDLLA/bFGF composite stimulated more bone formation and had higher bending strength than PDLLA (P<0.05), and the bone formation induced by both materials was significantly more than that observed in the control group in every postoperative stage (P<0.05). PDLLA possesses good biocompatibility and absorbability, and when prepared into a porous material, it exhibits good osteoconductibility. As a good bFGF carrier, the foam of PDLLA with three- dimensional structure shows good osteoinductive ability with regard to the rapidity, quantity and quality of the bone formation.

Photonic devices on planar and curved substrates and methods for fabrication thereof

DOEpatents

Bartl, Michael H.; Barhoum, Moussa; Riassetto, David

2016-08-02

A versatile and rapid sol-gel technique for the fabrication of high quality one-dimensional photonic bandgap materials. For example, silica/titania multi-layer materials may be fabricated by a sol-gel chemistry route combined with dip-coating onto planar or curved substrate. A shock-cooling step immediately following the thin film heat-treatment process is introduced. This step was found important in the prevention of film crack formation--especially in silica/titania alternating stack materials with a high number of layers. The versatility of this sol-gel method is demonstrated by the fabrication of various Bragg stack-type materials with fine-tuned optical properties by tailoring the number and sequence of alternating layers, the film thickness and the effective refractive index of the deposited thin films. Measured optical properties show good agreement with theoretical simulations confirming the high quality of these sol-gel fabricated optical materials.

Modernizing the Soviet Textile Industry: Implications for Perestroika

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-10-01

source material, the study provides four "data" sections that group recurring themes accord - ing to the decisionmaking agents primarily affected. The...sections of this report. They introduce the major themes that recurred in the second- ary sources searched. They are grouped according to categories by...need to increase the quality and quantity of consumer goods supplied by domestic light industry. According to the Materials of the XXVII Party Congress

Indicators of Economic Status and Social Capital in South African Townships: What Do They Reveal about the Material and Social Conditions in Families of Poor Children?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barbarin, Oscar A.; Khomo, Ngokoana

1997-01-01

Employed a method for assessing material well-being and social resources using a set of observable indicators such as adequacy of food, quality of housing, financial assets, consumer goods, and social resources. Identified two dimensions, consumption and social/financial capital, which when used to assign SES were predictive of a family's ability…

Influence of material and haptic design on the mechanical stability of intraocular lenses by means of finite-element modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Remón, Laura; Siedlecki, Damian; Cabeza-Gil, Iulen; Calvo, Begoña

2018-03-01

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are used in the cataract treatment for surgical replacement of the opacified crystalline lens. Before being implanted they have to pass the strict quality control to guarantee a good biomechanical stability inside the capsular bag, avoiding the rotation, and to provide a good optical quality. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of the material and haptic design on the behavior of the IOLs under dynamic compression condition. For this purpose, the strain-stress characteristics of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials were estimated experimentally. Next, these data were used as the input for a finite-element model (FEM) to analyze the stability of different IOL haptic designs, according to the procedure described by the ISO standards. Finally, the simulations of the effect of IOL tilt and decentration on the optical performance were performed in an eye model using a ray-tracing software. The results suggest the major importance of the haptic design rather than the material on the postoperative behavior of an IOL. FEM appears to be a powerful tool for numerical studies of the biomechanical properties of IOLs and it allows one to help in the design phase to the manufacturers.

New in-situ neutron diffraction cell for electrode materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biendicho, Jordi Jacas; Roberts, Matthew; Offer, Colin; Noréus, Dag; Widenkvist, Erika; Smith, Ronald I.; Svensson, Gunnar; Edström, Kristina; Norberg, Stefan T.; Eriksson, Sten G.; Hull, Stephen

2014-02-01

A novel neutron diffraction cell has been constructed to allow in-situ studies of the structural changes in materials of relevance to battery applications during charge/discharge cycling. The new design is based on the coin cell geometry, but has larger dimensions compared to typical commercial batteries in order to maximize the amount of electrode material and thus, collect diffraction data of good statistical quality within the shortest possible time. An important aspect of the design is its modular nature, allowing flexibility in both the materials studied and the battery configuration. This paper reports electrochemical tests using a Nickel-metal-hydride battery (Ni-MH), which show that the cell is able to deliver 90% of its theoretical capacity when using deuterated components. Neutron diffraction studies performed on the Polaris diffractometer using nickel metal and a hydrogen-absorbing alloy (MH) clearly show observable changes in the neutron diffraction patterns as a function of the discharge state. Due to the high quality of the diffraction patterns collected in-situ (i.e. good peak-to-background ratio), phase analysis and peak indexing can be performed successfully using data collected in around 30 min. In addition to this, structural parameters for the β-phase (charged) MH electrode obtained by Rietveld refinement are presented.

Influence of material and haptic design on the mechanical stability of intraocular lenses by means of finite-element modeling.

PubMed

Remón, Laura; Siedlecki, Damian; Cabeza-Gil, Iulen; Calvo, Begoña

2018-03-01

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are used in the cataract treatment for surgical replacement of the opacified crystalline lens. Before being implanted they have to pass the strict quality control to guarantee a good biomechanical stability inside the capsular bag, avoiding the rotation, and to provide a good optical quality. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of the material and haptic design on the behavior of the IOLs under dynamic compression condition. For this purpose, the strain-stress characteristics of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials were estimated experimentally. Next, these data were used as the input for a finite-element model (FEM) to analyze the stability of different IOL haptic designs, according to the procedure described by the ISO standards. Finally, the simulations of the effect of IOL tilt and decentration on the optical performance were performed in an eye model using a ray-tracing software. The results suggest the major importance of the haptic design rather than the material on the postoperative behavior of an IOL. FEM appears to be a powerful tool for numerical studies of the biomechanical properties of IOLs and it allows one to help in the design phase to the manufacturers. (2018) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

The effect of welding parameters on surface quality of AA6351 aluminium alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yacob, S.; MAli, M. A.; Ahsan, Q.; Ariffin, N.; Ali, R.; Arshad, A.; Wahab, M. I. A.; Ismail, S. A.; Roji, NS M.; Din, W. B. W.; Zakaria, M. H.; Abdullah, A.; Yusof, M. I.; Kamarulzaman, K. Z.; Mahyuddin, A.; Hamzah, M. N.; Roslan, R.

2015-12-01

In the present work, the effects of gas metal arc welding-cold metal transfer (GMAW-CMT) parameters on surface roughness are experimentally assessed. The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of the effects of welding speed, material thickness and contact tip to work distance on the surface roughness. Experiments are conducted using single pass gas metal arc welding-cold metal transfer (GMAW-CMT) welding technique to join the material. The material used in this experiment was AA6351 aluminum alloy with the thickness of 5mm and 6mm. A Mahr Marsuft XR 20 machine was used to measure the average roughness (Ra) of AA6351 joints. The main and interaction effect analysis was carried out to identify process parameters that affect the surface roughness. The results show that all the input process parameters affect the surface roughness of AA6351 joints. Additionally, the average roughness (Ra) results also show a decreasing trend with increased of welding speed. It is proven that gas metal arc welding-cold metal transfer (GMAW-CMT)welding process has been successful in term of providing weld joint of good surface quality for AA6351 based on the low value surface roughness condition obtained in this setup. The outcome of this experimental shall be valuable for future fabrication process in order to obtained high good quality weld.

21 CFR 225.65 - Equipment cleanout procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) DRUGS: GENERAL CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE FOR MEDICATED FEEDS Product Quality Control § 225.65 Equipment cleanout procedures. (a) Adequate cleanout procedures for all equipment used in the manufacture... sequential production of feeds. (2) If flushing is utilized, the flush material shall be properly identified...

Expanding GREENSCOPE beyond the Gate: A Green Chemistry and Life-Cycle Perspective

EPA Science Inventory

Industrial processes, particularly those within the chemical industry, contribute products and services to improve and increase society’s quality of life. However, the transformation of raw materials into their respective final goods involves the consumption of mass and energy an...

DPSSL for direct dicing and drilling of dielectrics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashkenasi, David; Schwagmeier, M.

2007-02-01

New strategies in laser micro processing of glasses and other optically transparent materials are being developed with increasing interest and intensity using diode pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) systems generating short or ultra-short pulses in the optical spectra at good beam quality. Utilizing non-linear absorption channels, it can be demonstrated that ns green (532 nm) laser light can scribe, dice, full body cut and drill (flat) borofloat and borosilicate glasses at good quality. Outside of the correct choice in laser parameters, an intelligent laser beam management plays an important role in successful micro processing of glass. This application characterizes a very interesting alternative where standard methods demonstrate severe limitations such as diamond dicing, CO2 laser treatment or water jet cutting, especially for certain type of optical materials and/or geometric conditions. Application near processing examples using different DPSSL systems generating ns pulsed light at 532 nm in TEM 00 at average powers up to 10 W are presented and discussed in respect to potential applications in display technology, micro electronics and optics.

Top-down solid-phase fabrication of nanoporous cadmium oxide architectures.

PubMed

Yu, Haidong; Wang, Deshen; Han, Ming-Yong

2007-02-28

In this article, we have demonstrated one-step solid-phase transformation from high-quality cadmium carbonate microcrystals into highly nanoporous cadmium oxide. The high crystal quality of cadmium carbonate is critical for the successful fabrication of porous nanoarchitectures with predetermined morphology and well-controlled internal structure. This novel strategy has a good potential to prepare nanoporous materials at a large scale by using perfect monolithic carbonate crystals, and it is also useful to synthesize different nanoporous materials on metal-oxide-coated substrates. Meanwhile, this simple thermal transformation of cadmium carbonate into porous structures has further been extended to convert calcium carbonate into such porous structures.

Decision method for optimal selection of warehouse material handling strategies by production companies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dobos, P.; Tamás, P.; Illés, B.

2016-11-01

Adequate establishment and operation of warehouse logistics determines the companies’ competitiveness significantly because it effects greatly the quality and the selling price of the goods that the production companies produce. In order to implement and manage an adequate warehouse system, adequate warehouse position, stock management model, warehouse technology, motivated work force committed to process improvement and material handling strategy are necessary. In practical life, companies have paid small attantion to select the warehouse strategy properly. Although it has a major influence on the production in the case of material warehouse and on smooth costumer service in the case of finished goods warehouse because this can happen with a huge loss in material handling. Due to the dynamically changing production structure, frequent reorganization of warehouse activities is needed, on what the majority of the companies react basically with no reactions. This work presents a simulation test system frames for eligible warehouse material handling strategy selection and also the decision method for selection.

Importance and globalization status of good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements for pharmaceutical excipients

PubMed Central

Abdellah, Abubaker; Noordin, Mohamed Ibrahim; Wan Ismail, Wan Azman

2013-01-01

Pharmaceutical excipients are no longer inert materials but it is effective and able to improve the characteristics of the products’ quality, stability, functionality, safety, solubility and acceptance of patients. It can interact with the active ingredients and alter the medicament characteristics. The globalization of medicines’ supply enhances the importance of globalized good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements for pharmaceutical excipients. This review was intended to assess the globalization status of good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements for pharmaceutical excipients. The review outcomes demonstrate that there is a lack of accurately defined methods to evaluate and measure excipients’ safety. Furthermore good manufacturing practice requirements for excipients are not effectively globalized. PMID:25685037

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

Kalavapudi, M.; Iyengar, V.

Increased industrial activities in developing countries have degraded the environment, and the impact on the environment is further magnified because of an ever-increasing population, the prime receptors. Independent of the geographical location, it is possible to adopt effective strategies to solve environmental problems. In the United States, waste characterization and remediation practices are commonly used for quantifying toxic contaminants in air, water, and soil. Previously, such procedures were extraneous, ineffective, and cost-intensive. Reconciliation between the government and stakeholders, reinforced by valid data analysis and environmental exposure assessments, has allowed the {open_quotes}Brownfields{close_quotes} to be a successful approach. Certified reference materials andmore » standard reference materials from the National Institute of Standards (NIST) are indispensable tools for solving environmental problems and help to validate data quality and the demands of legal metrology. Certified reference materials are commonly available, essential tools for developing good quality secondary and in-house reference materials that also enhance analytical quality. This paper cites examples of environmental conditions in developing countries, i.e., industrial pollution problems in India, polluted beaches in Brazil, and deteriorating air quality in countries, such as Korea, China, and Japan. The paper also highlights practical and effective approaches for remediating these problems. 23 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.« less

X-ray Computed Microtomography technique applied for cementitious materials: A review.

PubMed

da Silva, Ítalo Batista

2018-04-01

The main objective of this article is to present a bibliographical review about the use of the X-ray microtomography method in 3D images processing of cementitious materials microstructure, analyzing the pores microstructure and connectivity network, enabling tthe possibility of building a relationship between permeability and porosity. The use of this technique enables the understanding of physical, chemical and mechanical properties of cementitious materials by publishing good results, considering that the quality and quantity of accessible information were significant and may contribute to the study of cementitious materials development. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental investigation of the quality characteristics of agricultural plastic wastes regarding their recycling and energy recovery potential

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

Briassoulis, D., E-mail: briassou@aua.gr; Hiskakis, M.; Babou, E.

2012-06-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Definition of parameters characterising agricultural plastic waste (APW) quality. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Analysis of samples to determine APW quality for recycling or energy recovery. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Majority of APW samples from various countries have very good quality for recycling. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Upper limit of 50% w/w soil contamination in APW acceptable for energy recovery. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Chlorine and heavy metals content in APW below the lowest limit for energy recovery. - Abstract: A holistic environmentally sound waste management scheme that transforms agricultural plastic waste (APW) streams into labelled guaranteed quality commodities freely traded in open market has been developed by the European researchmore » project LabelAgriWaste. The APW quality is defined by the APW material requirements, translated to technical specifications, for recycling or energy recovery. The present work investigates the characteristics of the APW quality and the key factors affecting it from the introduction of the virgin product to the market to the APW stream reaching the disposer. Samples of APW from different countries were traced from their application to the field through their storage phase and transportation to the final destination. The test results showed that the majority of APW retained their mechanical properties after their use preserving a 'very good quality' for recycling in terms of degradation. The degree of soil contamination concerning the APW recycling and energy recovery potential fluctuates depending on the agricultural plastic category and application. The chlorine and heavy metal content of the tested APW materials was much lower than the maximum acceptable limits for their potential use in cement industries.« less

A quality by design approach to investigate the effect of mannitol and dicalcium phosphate qualities on roll compaction.

PubMed

Souihi, Nabil; Dumarey, Melanie; Wikström, Håkan; Tajarobi, Pirjo; Fransson, Magnus; Svensson, Olof; Josefson, Mats; Trygg, Johan

2013-04-15

Roll compaction is a continuous process for solid dosage form manufacturing increasingly popular within pharmaceutical industry. Although roll compaction has become an established technique for dry granulation, the influence of material properties is still not fully understood. In this study, a quality by design (QbD) approach was utilized, not only to understand the influence of different qualities of mannitol and dicalcium phosphate (DCP), but also to predict critical quality attributes of the drug product based solely on the material properties of that filler. By describing each filler quality in terms of several representative physical properties, orthogonal projections to latent structures (OPLS) was used to understand and predict how those properties affected drug product intermediates as well as critical quality attributes of the final drug product. These models were then validated by predicting product attributes for filler qualities not used in the model construction. The results of this study confirmed that the tensile strength reduction, known to affect plastic materials when roll compacted, is not prominent when using brittle materials. Some qualities of these fillers actually demonstrated improved compactability following roll compaction. While direct compression qualities are frequently used for roll compacted drug products because of their excellent flowability and good compaction properties, this study revealed that granules from these qualities were more poor flowing than the corresponding powder blends, which was not seen for granules from traditional qualities. The QbD approach used in this study could be extended beyond fillers. Thus any new compound/ingredient would first be characterized and then suitable formulation characteristics could be determined in silico, without running any additional experiments. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Amorphous microcellular polytetrafluoroethylene foam film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Chongzheng

1991-11-01

We report herein the preparation of novel low-density ultramicrocellular fluorocarbon foams and their application. These fluorocarbon foams are of interest for the biochemistry arena in numerous applications including foodstuff, pharmacy, wine making, beer brewery, fermentation medical laboratory, and other processing factories. All of those require good quality processing programs in which, after eliminating bacterium and virus, compressed air is needed. Ordinarily, compressed air contains bacterium and virus, its size is 0.01 - 2 micrometers fluorocarbon foam films. Having average porous diameter 0.04 - 0.1 micrometers , these are stable to high temperature (280 degree(s)C) and chemical environments, and generally have good engineering and mechanical properties (e.g., low coefficient of thermal expansion, high modulus, and good dimensional stability). Our new process for preparing low density fluorocarbon foams provides materials with unique properties. As such, they offer the possibility for being superior to earlier materials for a number of the filter applications mentioned.

Quality transitivity and traceability system of herbal medicine products based on quality markers.

PubMed

Liu, Changxiao; Guo, De-An; Liu, Liang

2018-05-15

Due to a variety of factors to affect the herb quality, the existing quality management model is unable to evaluate the process control. The development of the concept of "quality marker" (Q-marker) lays basis for establishing an independent process quality control system for herbal products. To ensure the highest degree of safety, effectiveness and quality process control of herbal products, it is aimed to establish a quality transitivity and traceability system of quality and process control from raw materials to finished herbal products. Based on the key issues and challenges of quality assessment, the current status of quality and process controls from raw materials to herbal medicinal products listed in Pharmacopoeia were analyzed and the research models including discovery and identification of Q-markers, analysis and quality management of risk evaluation were designed. Authors introduced a few new technologies and methodologies, such as DNA barcoding, chromatographic technologies, fingerprint analysis, chemical markers, bio-responses, risk management and solution for quality process control. The quality and process control models for herbal medicinal products were proposed and the transitivity and traceability system from raw materials to the finished products was constructed to improve the herbal quality from the entire supply and production chain. The transitivity and traceability system has been established based on quality markers, especially on how to control the production process under Good Engineering Practices, as well as to implement the risk management for quality and process control in herbal medicine production. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

International survey on neuroradiological interventional and therapeutic devices and materials.

PubMed

van den Berg, René; Mayer, Thomas E

2015-12-01

A web-based survey was performed among the members of the World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology to determine the differences in availability, pricing, and performance of endovascular devices with special focus on coils, intra-arterial stroke devices, detachable balloons, and liquid embolic materials. The results of this survey show that the quality of the majority of interventional neuroradiology devices is good and compatibility issues are limited. Individual action towards suppliers is recommended to discuss the availability and pricing of devices and embolization materials. © The Author(s) 2015.

Quality of herbal medicines: challenges and solutions.

PubMed

Zhang, Junhua; Wider, Barbara; Shang, Hongcai; Li, Xuemei; Ernst, Edzard

2012-01-01

The popularity of herbal medicines has risen worldwide. This increase in usage renders safety issues important. Many adverse events of herbal medicines can be attributed to the poor quality of the raw materials or the finished products. Different types of herbal medicines are associated with different problems. Quality issues of herbal medicines can be classified into two categories: external and internal. In this review, external issues including contamination (e.g. toxic metals, pesticides residues and microbes), adulteration and misidentification are detailed. Complexity and non-uniformity of the ingredients in herbal medicines are the internal issues affecting the quality of herbal medicines. Solutions to the raised problems are discussed. The rigorous implementation of Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) would undoubtedly reduce the risk of external issues. Through the use of modern analytical methods and pharmaceutical techniques, previously unsolved internal issues have become solvable. Standard herbal products can be manufactured from the standard herbal extracts. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

East Europe Report, Economic and Industrial Affairs, Long-Term Program for Production Quality

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-29

increase the production of confectionery goods and snacks with a lower sugar content but enriched with natural juice and vegetable fillers, vegetable and...variety of con- struction materials and items by organizing the production of gasconcrete, extruded asbestos cement walls, gypsum board, heat, water

Solid state welding processes for an oxide dispersion strengthened nickel-chromium-aluminum alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, T. J.

1975-01-01

Solid-state welding processes were evaluated for joining TD-NiCrAl (Ni-16Cr-4Al-2ThO2) alloy sheet. Both hot-press and resistance spot welding techniques were successfully applied in terms of achieving grain growth across the bond line. Less success was achieved with a resistance seam welding process. In stress-rupture shear and tensile shear tests of lap joints at 1100 C, most failures occurred in the parent material, which indicates that the weld quality was good and that the welds were not a plane of weakness. The overall weld quality was not as good as previously attained with TD-NiCr, probably because the presence of alumina at the faying surfaces and the developmental TD-NiCrAl sheet, which was not of the quality of the TD-NiCr sheet in terms of surface flatness and dimensional control.

Quality control in the recycling stream of PVC cable waste by hyperspectral imaging analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luciani, Valentina; Serranti, Silvia; Bonifazi, Giuseppe; Rem, Peter

2005-05-01

In recent years recycling is gaining a key role in the manufacturing industry. The use of recycled materials in the production of new goods has the double advantage of saving energy and natural resources, moreover from an economic point of view, recycled materials are in general cheaper than the virgin ones. Despite of these environmental and economic strengths, the use of recycled sources is still low compared to the raw materials consumption, indeed in Europe only 10% of the market is covered by recycled products. One of the reasons of this reticence in the use of secondary sources is the lack of an accurate quality certification system. The inputs of a recycled process are not always the same, which means that also the output of a particular process can vary depending on the initial composition of the treated material. Usually if a continuous quality control system is not present at the end of the process the quality of the output material is assessed on the minimum certified characteristics. Solving this issue is crucial to expand the possible applications of recycled materials and to assign a price based on the real characteristic of the material. The possibility of applying a quality control system based on a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology working in the near infrared (NIR) range to the output of a separation process of PVC cable wastes is explored in this paper. The analysed material was a residue fraction of a traditional separation process further treated by magnetic density separation. Results show as PVC, PE, rubber and copper particles can be identified and classified adopting the NIR-HSI approach.

Identification of Particles in Parenteral Drug Raw Materials.

PubMed

Lee, Kathryn; Lankers, Markus; Valet, Oliver

2018-04-18

Particles in drug products are not good and are therefore regulated. These particles can come from the very beginning of the manufacturing process, from the raw materials. To prevent particles, it is important to understand what they are and where they come from so the raw material quality, processing, and shipping can be improved. Thus, it is important to correctly identify particles seen in raw materials. Raw materials need to be of a certain quality with respect to physical and chemical composition, and need to have no contaminants in the form of particles which could contaminate the product or indicate the raw materials are not pure enough to make a good quality product. Particles are often seen when handling raw materials due to color, size, or shape characteristics different from those in the raw materials. Particles may appear to the eye to be very different things than they actually are, so microscope, chemical, and elemental analyses are required for accuracy in proper identification. This paper shows how using three different spectroscopy tools correctly and together can be used to identify particles from extrinsic, intrinsic, and inherent particles. Sources of materials can be humans and the environment (extrinsic), from within the process (intrinsic), and part of the formulation (inherent). Microscope versions of Raman spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and IR spectroscopy are excellent tools for identifying particles because they are fast and accurate techniques needing minimal sample preparation that can provide chemical composition as well as images that can be used for identification. The micro analysis capabilities allow for easy analysis of different portions of samples so multiple components can be identified and sample preparation can be reduced. Using just one of these techniques may not be sufficient to give adequate identification results so that the source of contamination can be adequately identified. The complementarity of the techniques provides the advantage of identifying various chemical and molecular components, as well as elemental and image analyses. Correct interpretation of the results from these techniques is also very important. Copyright © 2018, Parenteral Drug Association.

Ensuring the reliability of stable isotope ratio data--beyond the principle of identical treatment.

PubMed

Carter, J F; Fry, B

2013-03-01

The need for inter-laboratory comparability is crucial to facilitate the globalisation of scientific networks and the development of international databases to support scientific and criminal investigations. This article considers what lessons can be learned from a series of inter-laboratory comparison exercises organised by the Forensic Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (FIRMS) network in terms of reference materials (RMs), the management of data quality, and technical limitations. The results showed that within-laboratory precision (repeatability) was generally good but between-laboratory accuracy (reproducibility) called for improvements. This review considers how stable isotope laboratories can establish a system of quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA), emphasising issues of repeatability and reproducibility. For results to be comparable between laboratories, measurements must be traceable to the international δ-scales and, because isotope ratio measurements are reported relative to standards, a key aspect is the correct selection, calibration, and use of international and in-house RMs. The authors identify four principles which promote good laboratory practice. The principle of identical treatment by which samples and RMs are processed in an identical manner and which incorporates three further principles; the principle of identical correction (by which necessary corrections are identified and evenly applied), the principle of identical scaling (by which data are shifted and stretched to the international δ-scales), and the principle of error detection by which QC and QA results are monitored and acted upon. To achieve both good repeatability and good reproducibility it is essential to obtain RMs with internationally agreed δ-values. These RMs will act as the basis for QC and can be used to calibrate further in-house QC RMs tailored to the activities of specific laboratories. In-house QA standards must also be developed to ensure that QC-based calibrations and corrections lead to accurate results for samples. The δ-values assigned to RMs must be recorded and reported with all data. Reference materials must be used to determine what corrections are necessary for measured data. Each analytical sequence of samples must include both QC and QA materials which are subject to identical treatment during measurement and data processing. Results for these materials must be plotted, monitored, and acted upon. Periodically international RMs should be analysed as an in-house proficiency test to demonstrate results are accurate.

Development and production of good manufacturing practice grade human embryonic stem cell lines as source material for clinical application.

PubMed

De Sousa, P A; Downie, J M; Tye, B J; Bruce, K; Dand, P; Dhanjal, S; Serhal, P; Harper, J; Turner, M; Bateman, M

2016-09-01

From 2006 to 2011, Roslin Cells Ltd derived 17 human embryonic stem cells (hESC) while developing (RCM1, RC-2 to -8, -10) and implementing (RC-9, -11 to -17) quality assured standards of operation in a facility operating in compliance with European Union (EU) directives and United Kingdom (UK) licensure for procurement, processing and storage of human cells as source material for clinical application, and targeted to comply with an EU Good Manufacturing Practice specification. Here we describe the evolution and specification of the facility, its operation and outputs, complementing hESC resource details communicated in Stem Cell Research Lab Resources. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The use of a mistress and the internalized sexual mother.

PubMed

Layland, W R

1984-01-01

Using clinical material and the transference manifestations from two married male patients who had mistresses and a female patient whose husband had a mistress, it is suggested that the mistresses are used to deal with the man's internalized sexual mother, thus allowing the wives to become the good-enough mothers that the men had never experienced. It would seem that the father unconsciously colludes with this incestuous relationship between the sexual mother and the son by not being an adequate husband. It is further suggested that one of the qualities of a good-enough father is the capacity to be a good-enough husband.

Resistivity, carrier trapping, and polarization phenomenon in semiconductor radiation detection materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Mao-Hua; Biswas, Koushik; Singh, David J.

2012-10-01

In this paper, we report theoretical studies of native defects and dopants in a number of room-temperature semiconductor radiation detection materials, i.e., CdTe, TlBr, and Tl6SeI4. We address several important questions, such as what causes high resistivity in these materials, what explains good μτ product (carrier mobility-lifetime product) in soft-lattice ionic compounds that have high defect density, and how to obtain high resistivity and low carrier trapping simultaneously. Our main results are: (1) shallow donors rather than deep ones are responsible for high resistivity in high-quality detectorgrade CdTe; (2) large dielectric screening and the lack of deep levels from low-energy native defects may contribute to the good μτ products for both electrons and holes in TlBr; (3) the polarization phenomenon in Tl6SeI4 is expected to be much reduced compared to that in TlBr.

Surface ablation of inorganic transparent materials using 70W femtosecond pulses at 1MHz (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishchik, Konstantin; Gaudfrin, Kevin; Audouard, Eric F.; Mottay, Eric P.; Lopez, John

2017-03-01

Nowadays processing of transparent materials, such as glass, quartz, sapphire and others, is a subject of high interest for worldwide industry since these materials are widely used for mass markets such as consumer electronics, flat display panels manufacturing, optoelectronics or watchmaking industry. The key issue is to combine high throughput, low residual stress and good processing quality in order to avoid chipping and any post-processing step such as grinding or polishing. Complimentary to non-ablative techniques used for zero-kerf glass cutting, surface ablation of such materials is interesting for engraving, grooving as well as full ablation cutting. Indeed this technique enables to process complex parts including via or blind, open or closed, straight or small radius of curvature patterns. We report on surface ablation experiments on transparent materials using a high average power (70W) and high repetition rate (1 MHz) femtosecond laser. These experiments have been done at 1030nm and 515nm on different inorganic transparent materials, such as regular and strengthened glass, borosilicate glass or sapphire, in order to underline their different ablation behavior. Despite the heat accumulation that occurs above 100 kHz we have reached a good compromise between throughput and processing quality. The effects of fluence, pulse-to-pulse overlap and number of passes are discussed in terms of etch rate, ablation efficiency, optimum fluence, maximum achievable depth, micro cracks formation and residual stresses. These experimental results will be also compared with numerical calculations obtained owing to a simple engineering model based on the two-temperature description of the ultrafast ablation.

New photosensitive systems for volume phase holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bianco, Andrea; Colella, Letizia; Galli, Paola; Zanutta, Alessio; Bertarelli, Chiara

2017-05-01

Volume phase holographic elements are becoming attractive thanks to the large efficiency and good optical quality. They are based on photosensitive materials where a modulation of the refractive index is induced. In this paper, we highlight the strategies to obtain a change in the refractive index in a dielectric material, namely a change in the material density and/or in the molecular polarizability. Moreover, we show the results achieved for materials that undergo the photo-Fries reaction as function of the molecular structure and the illumination conditions. We also report the results on a system based on the diazo Meldrum's acid where volatile molecules are produced upon light exposure.

Evaluation of 3D printing materials for fabrication of a novel multi-functional 3D thyroid phantom for medical dosimetry and image quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alssabbagh, Moayyad; Tajuddin, Abd Aziz; Abdulmanap, Mahayuddin; Zainon, Rafidah

2017-06-01

Recently, the three-dimensional printer has started to be utilized strongly in medical industries. In the human body, many parts or organs can be printed from 3D images to meet accurate organ geometries. In this study, five common 3D printing materials were evaluated in terms of their elementary composition and the mass attenuation coefficients. The online version of XCOM photon cross-section database was used to obtain the attenuation values of each material. The results were compared with the attenuation values of the thyroid listed in the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements - ICRU 44. Two original thyroid models (hollow-inside and solid-inside) were designed from scratch to be used in nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology and radiotherapy for dosimetry and image quality purposes. Both designs have three holes for installation of radiation dosimeters. The hollow-inside model has more two holes in the top for injection the radioactive materials. The attenuation properties of the Polylactic Acid (PLA) material showed a very good match with the thyroid tissue, which it was selected to 3D print the phantom using open source RepRap, Prusa i3 3D printer. The scintigraphy images show that the phantom simulates a real healthy thyroid gland and thus it can be used for image quality purposes. The measured CT numbers of the PA material after the 3D printing show a close match with the human thyroid CT numbers. Furthermore, the phantom shows a good accommodation of the TLD dosimeters inside the holes. The 3D fabricated thyroid phantom simulates the real shape of the human thyroid gland with a changeable geometrical shape-size feature to fit different age groups. By using 3D printing technology, the time required to fabricate the 3D phantom was considerably shortened compared to the longer conventional methods, where it took only 30 min to print out the model. The 3D printing material used in this study is commercially available and cost-effective compared to current commercial tissue-equivalent materials.

78 FR 46516 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Update to Materials...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-01

... for incorporating by reference Federally- approved SIPs, as a result of consultations between EPA and... and ``Identification of plan'' format are discussed in further detail in the May 22, 1997 Federal... ``good cause'' exemption in section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) which, upon...

Lasting Impression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kennedy, Mike

2006-01-01

Many schools and universities thought they were getting a good deal when they were building education facilities in the 1950s and 1960s. However, the K-12 and higher-education spaces constructed to accommodate the millions of baby-boomer students no longer look like the quick-fix bargain they did years ago. Low-quality materials and construction,…

Coal blending preparation for non-carbonized coal briquettes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Widodo; Fatimah, D.; Estiaty, L. M.

2018-02-01

Referring to the national energy policy targets for the years 2025, the government has launched the use of coal briquettes as an alternative energy replacement for kerosene and firewood. Non-carbonized briquettes in the form of coal briquettes as well as bio-coal briquettes are used in many small-medium industries and households, and are rarely used by large industries. The standard quality of coal briquettes used as raw material for non-carbonized briquettes is a minimum calorific value of 4,400 kcal/kg (adb); total sulfur at a maximum of 1% (adb), and water content at <12% (adb). The formation of coal deposits depends on the origin of the coal-forming materials (plants), the environment of deposition, and the geological conditions of the surrounding area, so that the coal deposits in each region will be different as well as the amount and also the quality. Therefore, the quantity and the quality of coal in each area are different to be eligible in the making of briquettes to do blending. In addition to the coal blending, it is also necessary to select the right materials in the making of coal briquettes and bio-coal briquettes. The formulation of the right mixture of material in the making of briquettes, can be produced of good quality and environmental friendly.

III-V Compounds and Alloys: An Update.

PubMed

Woodall, J M

1980-05-23

The III-V compounds and alloys have been studied for three decades. Until recently, these materials have been commercialized for only a few specialized optoelectronic devices and microwave devices. Advances in thin-film epitaxy techniques, such as liquid phase epitaxy and chemical vapor deposition, are now providing the ability to form good quality lattice-matched heterojunctions with III-V materials. New optoelectronic devices, such as room-temperature continuous-wave injection lasers, have already resulted. This newfound ability may also affect the field of highspeed integrated circuits.

Lake Water Quality Improvement by Using Waste Mussel Shell Powder as an Adsorbent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zukri, N. I.; Khamidun, M. H.; Sapiren, M. S.; Abdullah, S.; Rahman, M. A. A.

2018-04-01

Lake water in UTHM was slightly greenish in color indicating the eutrophication process. Eutrophication problem is due to excessive amount of nutrient in the lake water which causes nuisance growth of algae and other aquatic plant. The improvement of lake water quality should be conducted wisely in preventing from eutrophication problem by using a suitable water treatment method. Natural materials, agricultural wastes and industrial wastes are locally available sources can be utilized as low-cost adsorbents. The natural abundant source of waste mussel’s shells is advantages to use as basis material to produce the low cost adsorbent for water treatment. Batch experiments were carried out with the preparation 500 ml volume of lake water sample with the dosage of 2.5g, 7.5g and 12.5g. Then the solution shaking in an incubator with 200 rpm shaking speed. The various dosage of mussel shell greatly affected pollutants removal. Both of NH4+ and PO43- have a higher percentage removal with 31.28% and 21.74% at the 7.5g of sample dosage. Other parameters such as COD and TSS also shown good percentage of removal at 7.5g of dosage sample with 44.45% and 25% respectively. While, dosage at 2.5g was performed as a good adsorption capacity of NH4+, PO43-, COD and TSS as high as 0.142, 0.234, 7.6 and 20 mg/g, respectively. These experimental results suggested that the use of mussel shell powder as good basis material in removing pollutants from lake water.

Optical classification for quality and defect analysis of train brakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glock, Stefan; Hausmann, Stefan; Gerke, Sebastian; Warok, Alexander; Spiess, Peter; Witte, Stefan; Lohweg, Volker

2009-06-01

In this paper we present an optical measurement system approach for quality analysis of brakes which are used in high-speed trains. The brakes consist of the so called brake discs and pads. In a deceleration process the discs will be heated up to 500°C. The quality measure is based on the fact that the heated brake discs should not generate hot spots inside the brake material. Instead, the brake disc should be heated homogeneously by the deceleration. Therefore, it makes sense to analyze the number of hot spots and their relative gradients to create a quality measure for train brakes. In this contribution we present a new approach for a quality measurement system which is based on an image analysis and classification of infra-red based heat images. Brake images which are represented in pseudo-color are first transformed in a linear grayscale space by a hue-saturation-intensity (HSI) space. This transform is necessary for the following gradient analysis which is based on gray scale gradient filters. Furthermore, different features based on Haralick's measures are generated from the gray scale and gradient images. A following Fuzzy-Pattern-Classifier is used for the classification of good and bad brakes. It has to be pointed out that the classifier returns a score value for each brake which is between 0 and 100% good quality. This fact guarantees that not only good and bad bakes can be distinguished, but also their quality can be labeled. The results show that all critical thermal patterns of train brakes can be sensed and verified.

ARPA/NRL X-Ray Laser Program - Semiannual Technical Report to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-03-01

10 J. The beam divergence was 8 mrad. A beam splitter and an S-l response photodlode were used to monitor the laser pulse signal shape and the...laser beams on a cylinder [231] to compress a material to the necessary inversion density will be plagued by the non -uniform gain that these focused...of 30 psec and a good beam divergence can emerge after the non -linear stages as a 1773, 1182, or 887 k pulse still possessing good beam quality

The good laboratory practice and good clinical practice requirements for the production of radiopharmaceuticals in clinical research.

PubMed

De Vos, Filip J; De Decker, Mario; Dierckx, Rudi A

2005-07-01

Radiopharmaceuticals account for more than 95% of the group of sterile pharmaceutical products and should therefore be handled and produced with care. Since the introduction of the European directive, all pharmaceuticals used in clinical studies must be prepared under good manufacturing practice (GMP) conditions. This review aims to give an overview of the basic principles and guidelines for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals. Special attention is given to the production area environment and personnel, the two basic requirements for GMP productions. Especially for the production area, two philosophies have to be combined: the cascade system of over-pressure for the production of pharmaceuticals and the under pressure system for the manufacturing of radioisotopes. Personnel should be selected based on education and regularly given special training for the handling of radioactive material. Compared to pharmaceuticals, radiopharmaceuticals have their own labels, taking into account their specific nature. Besides the standard quality control, other items for quality control of radiopharmaceuticals are also discussed in this article.

[The advantages and disadvantages of Artemisia princeps and A. montana].

PubMed

Oda, R

2000-01-01

In Japan, Moxa is made from Artemisia princeps and A. montana P. which are plants of the composiae family. Evaluations of the superiority or inferiority of these raw materials for Moxa have been confusing. The judgement of superiority or inferiority is roughly based on the strenght of the fragrance and somewhat of down. When I investigated 14 kinds of documents from the Edo period to the Showa period, 10 of the documents gave good evaluations for Artemisia princeps. On the other hand the remaining four gave good evaluations for A. montana P. But there is quite an opposite opinion, because the four deemed good for Artemisia princeps were misunderstood regarding the discrimination of Artemisia princeps and A. montana P. Since correcting them, each material has seven good evaluations, tying the score. Therefore, I researched the contents of the principal ingredient, Cineole, using an important evaluation index and the fragrances were compared measuring both materials, which were collected from different places. The results to examining six kinds of Artemisia princeps, and eight kinds of A. montana P. (14 kinds in total) are as follows: The A. montana P. contents Cineole was more abundant than the other on average. However, it is from three to five times the change by the growing both ground, and superiority or inferiority cannot be decided indiscriminately. When quality is evaluated, it is necessary to clarify the materials orgin. Generally speaking, the fragrance of A. montana P. is stronger than the other.

Experimental study of solar still using local material in south of Algeria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasri., Bahous; Benatiallah, Ali; Kalloum, Slimane; Benatiallah, Djelloul

2018-05-01

South of Algeria has these last years increasing water demand associated with rapid urban development and expansion in the irrigated land have led to over-exploitation of groundwater resources, consequently, it caused a degradation of the groundwater quality by increasing its salinity. In arid areas of Algeria with a shortage of pure water and endowed with an important solar potential, solar distillation is an important alternative for the potable water production. In this study, an attempt has been made to study a novel solar still by using a local material tested under climatic conditions of Adrar city. Experiments proprieties and performance of this solar still were carried out for a long time. The measurement of solar intensity, ambient temperature, water productivity, saline water temperature, glasses temperatures inside and outside, and the distilled water quality were studied. The results show that the daily productivity was varied from 4.04 to 4.48 l/m²d. Local materials are very interesting to increase the productivity and to give a good quality of output water with a low cost. Also, the results show that the output water quality is using for drinking and in accordance with WHO standards guidelines.

[Pharmaceutical product quality control and good manufacturing practices].

PubMed

Hiyama, Yukio

2010-01-01

This report describes the roles of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in pharmaceutical product quality control. There are three keys to pharmaceutical product quality control. They are specifications, thorough product characterization during development, and adherence to GMP as the ICH Q6A guideline on specifications provides the most important principles in its background section. Impacts of the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Law (rPAL) which became effective in 2005 on product quality control are discussed. Progress of ICH discussion for Pharmaceutical Development (Q8), Quality Risk Management (Q9) and Pharmaceutical Quality System (Q10) are reviewed. In order to reconstruct GMP guidelines and GMP inspection system in the regulatory agencies under the new paradigm by rPAL and the ICH, a series of Health Science studies were conducted. For GMP guidelines, product GMP guideline, technology transfer guideline, laboratory control guideline and change control system guideline were written. For the GMP inspection system, inspection check list, inspection memo and inspection scenario were proposed also by the Health Science study groups. Because pharmaceutical products and their raw materials are manufactured and distributed internationally, collaborations with other national authorities are highly desired. In order to enhance the international collaborations, consistent establishment of GMP inspection quality system throughout Japan will be essential.

Multi Objective Optimization of Yarn Quality and Fibre Quality Using Evolutionary Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Anindya; Das, Subhasis; Banerjee, Debamalya

2013-03-01

The quality and cost of resulting yarn play a significant role to determine its end application. The challenging task of any spinner lies in producing a good quality yarn with added cost benefit. The present work does a multi-objective optimization on two objectives, viz. maximization of cotton yarn strength and minimization of raw material quality. The first objective function has been formulated based on the artificial neural network input-output relation between cotton fibre properties and yarn strength. The second objective function is formulated with the well known regression equation of spinning consistency index. It is obvious that these two objectives are conflicting in nature i.e. not a single combination of cotton fibre parameters does exist which produce maximum yarn strength and minimum cotton fibre quality simultaneously. Therefore, it has several optimal solutions from which a trade-off is needed depending upon the requirement of user. In this work, the optimal solutions are obtained with an elitist multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II). These optimum solutions may lead to the efficient exploitation of raw materials to produce better quality yarns at low costs.

High-quality low-dose cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) in pediatric patients using a 64-slice scanner.

PubMed

Cannaò, Paola Maria; Secchi, Francesco; Alì, Marco; D'Angelo, Ida Daniela; Scarabello, Marco; Di Leo, Giovanni; Sardanelli, Francesco

2018-01-01

Background Cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) technology is rapidly advancing allowing to perform good quality examinations with a radiation dose as low as 1.2 mSv. However, latest generation scanners are not available in all centers. Purpose To estimate radiation dose and image quality in pediatric CCT using a standard 64-slice scanner. Material and Methods A total of 100 patients aged 6.9 ± 5.4 years (mean ± standard deviation) who underwent a 64-slice CCT scan using 80, 100, or 120 kVp, were retrospectively evaluated. Radiation effective dose was calculated on the basis of the dose length product. Two independent readers assessed the image quality through signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and a qualitative score (3 = very good, 2 = good, 1 = poor). Non-parametric tests were used. Results Fifty-five exams were not electrocardiographically (ECG) triggered, 20 had a prospective ECG triggering, and 25 had retrospective ECG triggering. The median effective dose was 1.3 mSv (interquartile range [IQR] = 0.8-2.7 mSv). Median SNR was 30.6 (IQR = 23.4-33.6) at 120 kVp, 29.4 (IQR = 23.7-34.8) at 100 kVp, and 24.7 (IQR = 19.4-34.3) at 80 kVp. Median CNR was 21.0 (IQR = 14.8-24.4), 19.1 (IQR = 15.6-23.9), and 25.3 (IQR = 19.4-33.4), respectively. Image quality was very good, good, and poor in 56, 39, and 5 patients, respectively. No significant differences were found among voltage groups for SNR ( P = 0.486), CNR ( P = 0.336), and subjective image quality ( P = 0.296). The inter-observer reproducibility was almost perfect (κ = 0.880). Conclusion High-quality pediatric CCT can be performed using a 64-slice scanner, with a radiation effective dose close to 2 mSv in about 50% of the cases.

Synthesis of Germanium-Tin Alloys by Ion Implantation and Pulsed Laser Melting: Towards a Group IV Direct Band Gap Semiconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tran, Tuan Thien

The germanium-tin (Ge1-xSnx) material system is expected to be a direct bandgap group IV semiconductor at a Sn content of 6.5-11 at.%. Hence there has been much interest in preparing such alloys since they are compatible with silicon and they raise the possibility of integrating photonics functionality into silicon circuitry. However, the maximum solid solubility of Sn in Ge is around 0.5 at.% and non-equilibrium deposition techniques such as molecular beam epitaxy or chemical vapour deposition have been used to achieve the desired high Sn concentrations. In this PhD work, the combination of ion implantation and pulsed laser melting (PLM) is demonstrated to be an alternative promising method to produce a highly Sn concentrated alloy with good crystal quality. In initial studies, it was shown that 100 keV Sn implants followed by PLM produced high quality alloys with up to 6.2 at.%Sn but above these Sn concentrations the crystal quality was poor. The structural properties of the ≤6.2 at.% alloys such as soluble Sn concentration, strain distribution and crystal quality have been characterised by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optical properties and electronic band structure have been studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The introduction of substitutional Sn into Ge is shown to either induce a splitting between light and heavy hole subbands or lower the conduction band at the Gamma valley. However, at higher implant doses needed to achieve >6.2 at.% Sn, ion-beam-induced porosity in Ge starts to occur, which drastically reduces the retained amount of the implanted Sn and such microstructure also hinders good crystallisation of the material during PLM. To solve this problem, it was shown that a nanometer thick SiO2 layer deposited on the Ge substrate prior to the implantation can largely eliminate the formation of porosity. This capping SiO2 layer also helps to increase the retained Sn concentration up to 15 at.% after implantation, as well as significantly improving the crystal quality of the Ge-Sn layer after PLM. With the use of the capping layer, a good quality Ge-Sn layer with 9 at.% Sn has been achieved using Sn implants at an energy of 120 keV. However, the thin film alloys produced by 100 keV or 120 keV Sn implantation and PLM are shown to contain compressive strain as a result of the large lattice mismatch between Ge and high Sn content alloys. Such strain compromises the tendency towards a direct bandgap material and hence strain relaxation is highly desirable. A thermal stability study showed that the thin film strained material is metastable up to 400°C, but thereafter Sn comes out of solution and diffuses to the material surface. To investigate a possible pathway to the synthesis of strain-relaxed material, a higher Sn implant energy of 350 keV was used to produce thicker alloy layers. XRD/reciprocal space mapping showed that this thicker alloy material is largely relaxed after PLM, which is beneficial for the direct band gap transition and solves the trade-off between higher Sn concentration and compressive strain. However, RBS indicates a sub-surface band of disorder which suggested a possible mechanism for the strain relaxation. Indeed, TEM examination of such material showed the material relaxed via the generation of non-equilibrium threading defects. Despite such defects, a PL study of this relaxed material found photon emission at a wavelength of 2150 nm for 6-9 at.% Sn alloys. However, the intensity of the emission was variable across different Sn content alloys, presumably as a result of the threading defects. A possible pathway to removing such defects is given that may enable both photodetectors and lasers to be fabricated at wavelengths above 2mum.

Growth and characterization of materials for tunable lasers in the near infrared spectral region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Powell, Richard C.; Martin, Joel J.

1988-01-01

During this reporting period, work proceeded in two directions. The first was the development of crystal growth procedures for rare earth doped LiYF4 crystals. The procedures for growth and pre-growth treatment of starting materials for undoped LiYF4 crystals were established and good optical quality materials were grown. A significant amount of time was spent trying to establish the optimum growth parameters for Yb(3+)-doped crystals. Unfortunately, it has proven difficult to obtain large size boules of high optical quality crystals of LiYF4 with doping concentrations of Yb(3+) of several percent. Because of these problems, this research is to be changed to attempt doping with other trivalent rare earth ions such as Ho, Er, and Tm. The second research area was investigating the potential of LiNbO3:Mg,Cr and LiNbO3:Mg,Cr,Yb as possible laser materials. The results are summarized.

Effect of deposition time of sputtering Ag-Cu thin film on mechanical and antimicrobial properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Purniawan, A.; Hermastuti, R.; Purwaningsih, H.; Atmono, T. M.

2018-04-01

Metallic implants are important components in biomedical treatment. However, post-surgery infection often occurs after installation of implant. The infections are usually treated by antibiotics, but it still causes several secondary problems. As a prevention treatment, the surgical instruments and implants must be in a sterile condition. This action is still not optimal too because the material still can attract the bacteria. From material science point of view, it can be anticipated by developing a type of material which has antibacterial properties or called antimicrobial material. Silver (Ag) and Copper (Cu) have antimicrobial properties to prevent the infection. In this research, the influence of deposition time of Ag-Cu thin film deposition process as antimicrobial material with Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) RF Sputtering method was analyzed. Deposition time used were for 10, 15 and 20 minutes in Argon gas pressure around 3 x 10-2 mbar in during deposition process. The morphology and surface roughness of Ag-Cu thin film were characterized using SEM and AFM. Based on the results, the deposition time influences the quality morphology that the thin films have good homogeneity and complete structure for longer deposition time. In addition, from roughness measurement results show that increase deposition time decrease the roughness of thin film. Antimicrobial performance was analyzed using Kirby Bauer Test. The results show that all of sample have good antimicrobial inhibition. Adhesion quality was evaluated using Rockwell C Indentation Test. However, the results indicate that the Ag-Cu thin film has low adhesion strength.

49 CFR 178.523 - Standards for composite packagings with inner glass, porcelain, or stoneware receptacles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

..., porcelain, or stoneware: (1) 6PA1 for glass, porcelain, or stoneware receptacles within a protective steel drum; (2) 6PA2 for glass, porcelain, or stoneware receptacles within a protective steel crate or box... good quality materials free from any defect that could impair their strength, and be firmly secured in...

49 CFR 178.523 - Standards for composite packagings with inner glass, porcelain, or stoneware receptacles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., porcelain, or stoneware: (1) 6PA1 for glass, porcelain, or stoneware receptacles within a protective steel drum; (2) 6PA2 for glass, porcelain, or stoneware receptacles within a protective steel crate or box... good quality materials free from any defect that could impair their strength, and be firmly secured in...

49 CFR 178.523 - Standards for composite packagings with inner glass, porcelain, or stoneware receptacles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., porcelain, or stoneware: (1) 6PA1 for glass, porcelain, or stoneware receptacles within a protective steel drum; (2) 6PA2 for glass, porcelain, or stoneware receptacles within a protective steel crate or box... good quality materials free from any defect that could impair their strength, and be firmly secured in...

78 FR 44884 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; West Virginia; Update to Materials...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-25

... reference Federally- approved SIPs, as a result of consultations between EPA and the Office of the Federal...'' format are discussed in further detail in the May 22, 1997 Federal Register document. On February 10... under the ``good cause'' exemption in section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA...

77 FR 76417 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Idaho; Update to Materials...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-28

... result of consultations between EPA and the Office of the Federal Register (OFR). The description of the revised SIP document, IBR procedures and ``Identification of plan'' format are discussed in further detail... the ``good cause'' exemption in section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) [[Page...

WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations.

PubMed

2003-01-01

This report presents the recommendations of an international group of experts convened by the World Health Organization to consider matters concerning the quality assurance of pharmaceuticals and specifications for drug substances and dosage forms. Of particular relevance to drug regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical manufacturers, the report discusses activities related to the development of The International Pharmacopoeia and basic tests for pharmaceutical substances and dosage forms, as well as quality control of reference materials, good manufacturing practices (GMP), stability studies, inspection, hazard analysis, procurement, storage and other aspects of quality assurance of pharmaceuticals, and regulatory issues. The report is complemented by a number of annexes, including recommendations on the risk of transmitting animal spongiform encephalopathy agents via medicinal products, guidelines on GMP for pharmaceutical products, a model certificate for GMP and guidance on a GMP inspection report. The final annexes provide guidance on the application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) method to pharmaceuticals, good storage practices and a procedure for assessing acceptability of pharmaceutical products for purchase by United Nations agencies.

Multi Response Optimization of Process Parameters Using Grey Relational Analysis for Turning of Al-6061

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deepak, Doreswamy; Beedu, Rajendra

2017-08-01

Al-6061 is one among the most useful material used in manufacturing of products. The major qualities of Aluminium are reasonably good strength, corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity. These qualities have made it a suitable material for various applications. While manufacturing these products, companies strive for reducing the production cost by increasing Material Removal Rate (MRR). Meanwhile, the quality of surface need to be ensured at an acceptable value. This paper aims at bringing a compromise between high MRR and low surface roughness requirement by applying Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). This article presents the selection of controllable parameters like longitudinal feed, cutting speed and depth of cut to arrive at optimum values of MRR and surface roughness (Ra). The process parameters for experiments were selected based on Taguchi’s L9 array with two replications. Grey relation analysis being most suited method for multi response optimization, the same is adopted for the optimization. The result shows that feed rate is the most significant factor that influences MRR and Surface finish.

Inorganic raw materials economy and provenance of chipped industry in some stone age sites of northern and central Italy.

PubMed

Bietti, Amilcare; Boschian, Giovanni; Crisci, Gino Mirocle; Danese, Ermanno; De Francesco, Anna Maria; Dini, Mario; Fontana, Federica; Giampietri, Alessandra; Grifoni, Renata; Guerreschi, Antonio; Liagre, Jérémie; Negrino, Fabio; Radi, Giovanna; Tozzi, Carlo; Tykot, Robert

2004-06-01

An opportunistic and local choice of raw materials is typically attested in the Lower and Middle Paleolithic industries throughout Italy. The quality of the raw material usually affected the flaking technology and quality of the products. In the Upper Paleolithic and the Mesolithic, raw material procurement strategies were more complex. Flint was exploited both locally, in areas where abundant outcrops of raw materials were available (such as the Lessini mountains), and in distant localities, after which it was transported or exchanged over medium/long distances. Different routes of exchange were thus followed in the various periods; good reconstruction of these routes have been provided by a study of the Garfagnana sites in Northern Tuscany, and the Mesolithic deposit of Mondeval de Sora (Dolomites). An interesting example of a Late Upper Paleolithic flint quarry and workshop were found in Abruzzo, in the San Bartolomeo shelter. The extended trade of obsidian from Lipari, Palmarola and Sardinia to the Italian Peninsula is attested in the Neolithic, with some differences concerning the age and different areas.

The scientific learning approach using multimedia-based maze game to improve learning outcomes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setiawan, Wawan; Hafitriani, Sarah; Prabawa, Harsa Wara

2016-02-01

The objective of curriculum 2013 is to improve the quality of education in Indonesia, which leads to improving the quality of learning. The scientific approach and supported empowerment media is one approach as massaged of curriculum 2013. This research aims to design a labyrinth game based multimedia and apply in the scientific learning approach. This study was conducted in one of the Vocational School in Subjects of Computer Network on 2 (two) classes of experimental and control. The method used Mix Method Research (MMR) which combines qualitative in multimedia design, and quantitative in the study of learning impact. The results of a survey showed that the general of vocational students like of network topology material (68%), like multimedia (74%), and in particular, like interactive multimedia games and flash (84%). Multimediabased maze game developed good eligibility based on media and material aspects of each value 840% and 82%. Student learning outcomes as a result of using a scientific approach to learning with a multimediabased labyrinth game increase with an average of gain index about (58%) and higher than conventional multimedia with index average gain of 0.41 (41%). Based on these results the scientific approach to learning by using multimediabased labyrinth game can improve the quality of learning and increase understanding of students. Multimedia of learning based labyrinth game, which developed, got a positive response from the students with a good qualification level (75%).

DC electrical conductivity measurements for pure and titanium oxide doped KDP Crystals grown by gel medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mareeswaran, S.; Asaithambi, T.

2016-10-01

Now a day's crystals are the pillars of current technology. Crystals are applied in various fields like fiber optic communications, electronic industry, photonic industry, etc. Crystal growth is an interesting and innovative field in the subject of physics, chemistry, material science, metallurgy, chemical engineering, mineralogy and crystallography. In recent decades optically good quality of pure and metal doped KDP crystals have been grown by gel growth method in room temperature and its characterizations were studied. Gel method is a very simple and one of the easiest methods among the various crystal growth methods. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate KH2PO4 (KDP) continues to be an interesting material both academically and technologically. KDP is a delegate of hydrogen bonded materials which possess very good electrical and nonlinear optical properties in addition to interesting electro-optic properties. We made an attempt to grow pure and titanium oxide doped KDP crystals with various doping concentrations (0.002, 0.004, 0.006, 0.008 and 0.010) using gel method. The grown crystals were collected after 20 days. We get crystals with good quality and shaped crystals. The dc electrical conductivity (resistance, capacitance and dielectric constant) values of the above grown crystals were measured at two different frequencies (1KHz and 100 Hz) with a temperature range of 500C to 1200C using simple two probe setup with Q band digital LCR meter present in our lab. The electrical conductivity increases with the increase of temperature. Dielectric constants value of titanium oxide doped KDP crystal was slightly decreased compared with pure KDP crystals. Results were discussed in details.

Design of a new abrasive slurry jet generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, F. C.; Shi, L. L.; Guo, C. W.

2017-12-01

With the advantages of a low system working pressure, good jet convergence and high cutting quality, abrasive slurry jet (ASJ) has broad application prospects in material cutting and equipment cleaning. Considering that the generator plays a crucial role in ASJ system, the paper designed a new type ASJ generator using an electric oil pump, a separate plunger cylinder, and a spring energized seal. According to the determining of structure shape, size and seal type, a new ASJ generator has been manufactured out and tested by a series of experiments. The new generator separates the abrasive slurry from the dynamic hydraulic oil, which can improve the service life of the ASJ system. And the new ASJ system can reach 40 MPa and has good performance in jet convergence, which deserves to popularization and application in materials machining.

NASA. Langley Research Center dry powder towpreg system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baucom, Robert M.; Marchello, Joseph M.

1990-01-01

Dry powder polymer impregnated carbon fiber tows were produced for preform weaving and composite materials molding applications. In the process, fluidized powder is deposited on spread tow bundles and melted on the fibers by radiant heating to adhere the polymer to the fiber. Unit design theory and operating correlations were developed to provide the basis for scale up of the process to commercial operation. Special features of the operation are the pneumatic tow spreader, fluidized bed, resin feeder, and quality control system. Bench scale experiments, at tow speeds up to 50 cm/sec, demonstrated that process variables can be controlled to produce weavable LARC-TPI carbon fiber towpreg. The towpreg made by the dry powder process was formed into unidirectional fiber moldings and was woven and molded into preform material of good quality.

Numerical investigation of tube hyroforming of TWT using Corner Fill Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zribi, Temim; Khalfallah, Ali

2018-05-01

Tube hydroforming presents a very good alternative to conventional forming processes for obtaining good quality mechanical parts used in several industrial fields, such as the automotive and aerospace sectors. Research in the field of tube hydroforming is aimed at improving the formability, stiffness and weight reduction of manufactured parts using this process. In recent years, a new method of hydroforming appears; it consists of deforming parts made from welded tubes and having different thicknesses. This technique which contributes to the weight reduction of the hydroformed tubes is a good alternative to the conventional tube hydroforming. This technique makes it possible to build rigid and light structures with a reduced cost. However, it is possible to improve the weight reduction by using dissimilar tailor welded tubes (TWT). This paper is a first attempt to analyze by numerical simulation the behavior of TWT hydroformed in square cross section dies, commonly called (Corner Fill Test). Considered tubes are composed of two materials assembled by butt welding. The present analysis will focus on the effect of loading paths on the formability of the structure by determining the change in thickness in several sections of the part. A comparison between the results obtained by hydroforming the butt joint of tubes made of dissimilar materials and those obtained using single-material tube is achieved. Numerical calculations show that the bi-material welded tube has better thinning resistance and a more even thickness distribution in the circumferential directions when compared to the single-material tube.

Growth and characterization of pure and Cadmium chloride doped KDP Crystals grown by gel medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalaivani, M. S.; Asaithambi, T.

2016-10-01

Crystal growth technology provides an important basis for many industrial branches. Crystals are the unrecognized pillars of modern technology. Without crystals, there is no electronic industry, no photonic industry, and no fiber optic communications. Single crystals play a major role and form the strongest base for the fast growing field of engineering, science and technology. Crystal growth is an interdisciplinary subject covering physics, chemistry, material science, chemical engineering, metallurgy, crystallography, mineralogy, etc. In past few decades, there has been a keen interest on crystal growth processes, particularly in view of the increasing demand of materials for technological applications. Optically good quality pure and metal doped KDP crystals have been grown by gel method at room temperature and their characterization have been studied. Gel method is a much uncomplicated method and can be utilized to synthesize crystals which are having low solubility. Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate KH2PO4 (KDP) continues to be an interesting material both academically and industrially. KDP is a representative of hydrogen bonded materials which possess very good electro - optic and nonlinear optical properties in addition to interesting electrical properties. Due to this interesting properties, we made an attempt to grow pure and cadmium chloride doped KDP crystals in various concentrations (0.002, 0.004, 0.006, 0.008 and 0.010) using gel method. The grown crystals were collected after 20 days. We get crystals with good quality and shaped. The dc electrical conductivity (resistance, capacitance and dielectric constant) values were measured at frequencies in the range of 1 KHZ and 100 HZ of pure and cadmium chloride added crystal with a temperature range of 400C to 1300C using simple two probe setup with Q band digital LCR meter present in our lab. The electrical conductivity increases with increase of temperature. The dielectric constants of metal doped KDP crystals were slightly decreased compared to pure KDP crystals.

Upland Forest Linkages to Seasonal Wetlands: Litter Flux, Processing, and Food Quality

Treesearch

Brian J. Palik; Darold P. Batzer; Christel Kern

2005-01-01

The flux of materials across ecosystem boundaries has significant effects on recipient systems. Because of edge effects, seasonal wetlands in upland forest are good systems to explore these linkages. The purpose of this study was to examine flux of coarse particulate organic matter as litter fall into seasonal wetlands in Minnesota, and the relationship of this flux to...

Recovery technologies for building materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karu, Veiko; Nurme, Martin; Valgma, Ingo

2015-04-01

Mining industry provides building materials for construction. Civil engineers have settled the quality parameters for construction materials. When we produce high quality building materials from carbonate rock (limestone, dolostone), then the estimated waste share is 25% to 30%, depending on crushing principles and rock quality. The challenge is to find suitable technology for waste recovery. During international mining waste related cooperation project MIN-NOVATION (www.min-novation.eu), partners mapped possibilities for waste recovery in mining industry and pointed out good examples and case studies. One example from Estonia showed that when we produce limestone aggregate, then we produce up to 30% waste material (fines with size 0-4mm). This waste material we can see as secondary raw material for building materials. Recovery technology for this fine grained material has been achieved with CDE separation plant. During the process the plant washes out minus 63 micron material from the limestone fines. This technology allows us to use 92% of all limestone reserves. By-product from 63 microns to 4 mm we can use as filler in concrete or as fine limestone aggregate for building or building materials. MIN-NOVATION project partners also established four pilot stations to study other mineral waste recovery technologies and solutions. Main aims on this research are to find the technology for recovery of mineral wastes and usage for new by-products from mineral mining waste. Before industrial production, testing period or case studies are needed. This research is part of the study of Sustainable and environmentally acceptable Oil shale mining No. 3.2.0501.11-0025 http://mi.ttu.ee/etp and the project B36 Extraction and processing of rock with selective methods - http://mi.ttu.ee/separation; http://mi.ttu.ee/miningwaste/

Multifunctional smart composites with integrated carbon nanotube yarn and sheet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauhan, Devika; Hou, Guangfeng; Ng, Vianessa; Chaudhary, Sumeet; Paine, Michael; Moinuddin, Khwaja; Rabiee, Massoud; Cahay, Marc; Lalley, Nicholas; Shanov, Vesselin; Mast, David; Liu, Yijun; Yin, Zhangzhang; Song, Yi; Schulz, Mark

2017-04-01

Multifunctional smart composites (MSCs) are materials that combine the good electrical and thermal conductivity, high tensile and shear strength, good impact toughness, and high stiffness properties of metals; the light weight and corrosion resistance properties of composites; and the sensing or actuation properties of smart materials. The basic concept for MSCs was first conceived by Daniel Inman and others about 25 years ago. Current laminated carbon and glass fiber polymeric composite materials have high tensile strength and are light in weight, but they still lack good electrical and thermal conductivity, and they are sensitive to delamination. Carbon nanotube yarn and sheets are lightweight, electrically and thermally conductive materials that can be integrated into laminated composite materials to form MSCs. This paper describes the manufacturing of high quality carbon nanotube yarn and sheet used to form MSCs, and integrating the nanotube yarn and sheet into composites at low volume fractions. Various up and coming technical applications of MSCs are discussed including composite toughening for impact and delamination resistance; structural health monitoring; and structural power conduction. The global carbon nanotube overall market size is estimated to grow from 2 Billion in 2015 to 5 Billion by 2020 at a CAGR of 20%. Nanotube yarn and sheet products are predicted to be used in aircraft, wind machines, automobiles, electric machines, textiles, acoustic attenuators, light absorption, electrical wire, sporting equipment, tires, athletic apparel, thermoelectric devices, biomedical devices, lightweight transformers, and electromagnets. In the future, due to the high maximum current density of nanotube conductors, nanotube electromagnetic devices may also become competitive with traditional smart materials in terms of power density.

The legal framework governing the quality of (traditional) herbal medicinal products in the European Union.

PubMed

Kroes, Burt H

2014-12-02

In the European Union a complex regulatory framework is in place for the regulation of (traditional) herbal medicinal products. It is based on the principle that a marketing authorisation granted by the competent authorities is required for placing medicinal products on the market. The requirements and procedures for acquiring such a marketing authorisation are laid down in regulations, directives and scientific guidelines. This paper gives an overview of the quality requirements for (traditional) herbal medicinal products that are contained in European pharmaceutical legislation. Pharmaceutical quality of medicinal product is the basis for ensuring safe and effective medicines. The basic principles governing the assurance of the quality of medicinal products in the European Union are primarily defined in the amended Directive 2001/83/EC and Directive 2003/63/EC. Quality requirements of herbal medicinal products are also laid down in scientific guidelines. Scientific guidelines provide a basis for practical harmonisation of how the competent authorities of EU Member States interpret and apply the detailed requirements for the demonstration of quality laid down in regulations and directives. Detailed quality requirements for herbal medicinal products on the European market are contained in European Union (EU) pharmaceutical legislation. They include a system of manufacturing authorisations which ensures that all herbal medicinal products on the European market are manufactured/imported only by authorised manufacturers, whose activities are regularly inspected by the competent authorities. Additionally, as starting materials only active substances are allowed which have been manufactured in accordance with the GMP for starting materials as adopted by the Community. The European regulatory framework encompasses specific requirements for herbal medicinal products. These requirements are independent from the legal status. Thus, the same quality standards equally apply to herbal products based on clinical evidence and traditional herbal medicinal products. The basic principle is that the quality of herbal medicinal products is intrinsically associated with the quality standard of the herbal substances and/or herbal preparations. Furthermore, the herbal substance or herbal preparation in its entirety is regarded as the active substance. Consequently, a mere determination of the content of marker(s) or constituents with known therapeutic activity is not sufficient for the quality control of herbal medicinal products. Specific quality requirements include thorough product characterisation, adherence to the Good Agricultural and Collection Practices, good manufacturing practices and validated manufacturing process, e.g., raw material testing, in-process testing, fingerprint characterisation etc. Quality control of herbal medicinal products is primarily intended to define the quality of the herbal substance/preparation and herbal medicinal product rather than to establish full characterisation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Patient movement characteristics and the impact on CBCT image quality and interpretability.

PubMed

Spin-Neto, Rubens; Costa, Cláudio; Salgado, Daniela Mra; Zambrana, Nataly Rm; Gotfredsen, Erik; Wenzel, Ann

2018-01-01

To assess the impact of patient movement characteristics and metal/radiopaque materials in the field-of-view (FOV) on CBCT image quality and interpretability. 162 CBCT examinations were performed in 134 consecutive (i.e. prospective data collection) patients (age average: 27.2 years; range: 9-73). An accelerometer-gyroscope system registered patient's head position during examination. The threshold for movement definition was set at ≥0.5-mm movement distance based on accelerometer-gyroscope recording. Movement complexity was defined as uniplanar/multiplanar. Three observers scored independently: presence of stripe (i.e. streak) artefacts (absent/"enamel stripes"/"metal stripes"/"movement stripes"), overall unsharpness (absent/present) and image interpretability (interpretable/not interpretable). Kappa statistics assessed interobserver agreement. χ 2 tests analysed whether movement distance, movement complexity and metal/radiopaque material in the FOV affected image quality and image interpretability. Relevant risk factors (p ≤ 0.20) were entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis with "not interpretable" as the outcome. Interobserver agreement for image interpretability was good (average = 0.65). Movement distance and presence of metal/radiopaque materials significantly affected image quality and interpretability. There were 22-28 cases, in which the observers stated the image was not interpretable. Small movements (i.e. <3 mm) did not significantly affect image interpretability. For movements ≥ 3 mm, the risk that a case was scored as "not interpretable" was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased [OR 3.2-11.3; 95% CI (0.70-65.47)]. Metal/radiopaque material was also a significant (p ≤ 0.05) risk factor (OR 3.61-5.05). Patient movement ≥3 mm and metal/radiopaque material in the FOV significantly affected CBCT image quality and interpretability.

Rehabilitation of the laryngectomised patient. Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.

PubMed

Díaz de Cerio Canduela, Pedro; Arán González, Ismael; Barberá Durban, Rafael; Sistiaga Suárez, Alexander; Tobed Secall, Marc; Parente Arias, Pablo L

2018-05-18

Total laryngectomy remains essential treatment for locally advanced laryngeal carcinoma, related to better survival rates. However, it involves changes for the patient, such as the inability to communicate verbally, breathing or aesthetic changes, which affect their quality of life and require comprehensive rehabilitation. This paper was written by the total laryngectomy rehabilitation workgroup of the National Head and Neck and Skull Base working committee of the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. The purpose of the article is to combine materials, surgical procedures and means towards the comprehensive rehabilitation of total laryngectomy patients, so that they can achieve a good quality of life. This paper is aimed at all health care professionals caring for total laryngectomy patients. It is also aimed at the patients themselves, as well as ENT surgeons. We have considered staffing and material needs, all procedures before, during and after surgery and after hospital discharge. There are also detailed recommendations about types of rehabilitation and follow-up, and the need for recording these events. The comprehensive rehabilitation total laryngectomy patients is very important if we want to improve their quality of life. The recommendations we mention aim to help the healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of total laryngectomy patients to help them achieve a good quality of life, as similar as possible to the life they led before surgery. Copyright © 2018 Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Tracing and control of raw materials sourcing for vaccine manufacturers.

PubMed

Faretra Peysson, Laurence

2010-05-01

The control of the raw materials used to manufacture vaccines is mandatory; therefore, a very clear process must be in place to guarantee that raw materials are traced. Those who make products or supplies used in vaccine manufacture (suppliers of culture media, diagnostic tests, etc.) must apply quality systems proving that they adhere to certain standards. ISO certification, Good Manufacturing Practices for production sites and the registration of culture media with a 'Certificate of Suitability' from the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Healthcare are reliable quality systems pertaining to vaccine production. Suppliers must assure that each lot of raw materials used in a product that will be used in vaccine manufacture adheres to the level of safety and traceability required. Incoming materials must be controlled in a single 'Enterprise Resource Planning' system which is used to document important information, such as the assignment of lot number, expiration date, etc. Ingredients for culture media in particular must conform to certain specifications. The specifications that need to be checked vary according to the ingredient, based on the level of risk. The way a raw material is produced is also important, and any aspect relative to cross-contamination, such as the sanitary measures used in producing and storing the raw material must be checked as well. In addition, suppliers can reduce the risk of viral contamination of raw materials by avoiding purchases in countries where a relevant outbreak is currently declared. 2010 The International Association for Biologicals. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electrical Characterization of Semiconductor Materials and Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deen, M.; Pascal, Fabien

Semiconductor materials and devices continue to occupy a preeminent technological position due to their importance when building integrated electronic systems used in a wide range of applications from computers, cell-phones, personal digital assistants, digital cameras and electronic entertainment systems, to electronic instrumentation for medical diagnositics and environmental monitoring. Key ingredients of this technological dominance have been the rapid advances made in the quality and processing of materials - semiconductors, conductors and dielectrics - which have given metal oxide semiconductor device technology its important characteristics of negligible standby power dissipation, good input-output isolation, surface potential control and reliable operation. However, when assessing material quality and device reliability, it is important to have fast, nondestructive, accurate and easy-to-use electrical characterization techniques available, so that important parameters such as carrier doping density, type and mobility of carriers, interface quality, oxide trap density, semiconductor bulk defect density, contact and other parasitic resistances and oxide electrical integrity can be determined. This chapter describes some of the more widely employed and popular techniques that are used to determine these important parameters. The techniques presented in this chapter range in both complexity and test structure requirements from simple current-voltage measurements to more sophisticated low-frequency noise, charge pumping and deep-level transient spectroscopy techniques.

Compatibility of the Radio Frequency Mass Gauge with Graphite-Epoxy Composite Tanks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerli, G. A.; Mueller, C. H.

2015-01-01

The radio frequency mass gauge (RFMG) is a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge being developed at NASA for possible use in long-duration space missions utilizing cryogenic propellants. As part of the RFMG technology development process, we evaluated the compatibility of the RFMG with a graphite-epoxy composite material used to construct propellant tanks. The key material property that can affect compatibility with the RFMG is the electrical conductivity. Using samples of 8552/IM7 graphite-epoxy composite, we characterized the resistivity and reflectivity over a range of frequencies. An RF impedance analyzer was used to characterize the out-of-plane electrical properties (along the sample thickness) in the frequency range 10 to 1800 MHZ. The resistivity value at 500 MHz was 4.8 ohm-cm. Microwave waveguide measurements of samples in the range 1.7 - 2.6 GHz, performed by inserting the samples into a WR-430 waveguide, showed reflectivity values above 98%. Together, these results suggested that a tank constructed from graphite/epoxy composite would produce good quality electromagnetic tank modes, which is needed for the RFMG. This was verified by room-temperature measurements of the electromagnetic modes of a 2.4 m diameter tank constructed by Boeing from similar graphite-epoxy composite material. The quality factor Q of the tank electromagnetic modes, measured via RF reflection measurements from an antenna mounted in the tank, was typically in the range 400 less than Q less than 3000. The good quality modes observed in the tank indicate that the RFMG is compatible with graphite-epoxy tanks, and thus the RFMG could be used as a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge in such tanks filled with cryogenic propellants.

Compatibility of the Radio Frequency Mass Gauge with Composite Tanks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerli, Greg; Mueller, Carl

2015-01-01

The radio frequency mass gauge (RFMG) is a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge being developed at NASA for possible use in long-duration space missions utilizing cryogenic propellants. As part of the RFMG technology development process, we evaluated the compatibility of the RFMG with a graphite-epoxy composite material used to construct propellant tanks. The key material property that can affect compatibility with the RFMG is the electrical conductivity. Using samples of 8552IM7 graphite-epoxy composite, we characterized the resistivity and reflectivity over a range of frequencies. An RF impedance analyzer was used to characterize the out-of-plane electrical properties (along the sample thickness) in the frequency range 10 to 1800 MHZ. The resistivity value at 500 MHz was 4.8 ohm-cm. Microwave waveguide measurements of samples in the range 1.7 2.6 GHz, performed by inserting the samples into a WR-430 waveguide, showed reflectivity values above 98. Together, these results suggested that a tank constructed from graphite-epoxy composite would produce good quality electromagnetic tank modes, which is needed for the RFMG. This was verified by room-temperature measurements of the electromagnetic modes of a 2.4 m diameter tank constructed by Boeing from similar graphite-epoxy composite material. The quality factor Q of the tank electromagnetic modes, measured via RF reflection measurements from an antenna mounted in the tank, was typically in the range 400 Q 3000. The good quality modes observed in the tank indicate that the RFMG is compatible with graphite-epoxy tanks, and thus the RFMG could be used as a low-gravity propellant quantity gauge in such tanks filled with cryogenic propellants.

British Thoracic Society quality standards for home oxygen use in adults

PubMed Central

Suntharalingam, Jay; Wilkinson, Tom; Annandale, Joseph; Davey, Claire; Fielding, Rhea; Freeman, Daryl; Gibbons, Michael; Hardinge, Maxine; Hippolyte, Sabrine; Knowles, Vikki; Lee, Cassandra; MacNee, William; Pollington, Jacqueline; Vora, Vandana; Watts, Trefor; Wijesinghe, Meme

2017-01-01

Introduction The purpose of the quality standards document is to provide healthcare professionals, commissioners, service providers and patients with a guide to standards of care that should be met for home oxygen provision in the UK, together with measurable markers of good practice. Quality statements are based on the British Thoracic Society (BTS) Guideline for Home Oxygen Use in Adults. Methods Development of BTS Quality Standards follows the BTS process of quality standard production based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence process manual for the development of quality standards. Results 10 quality statements have been developed, each describing a key marker of high-quality, cost-effective care for home oxygen use, and each statement is supported by quality measures that aim to improve the structure, process and outcomes of healthcare. Discussion BTS Quality Standards for home oxygen use in adults form a key part of the range of supporting materials that the society produces to assist in the dissemination and implementation of a guideline’s recommendations. PMID:29018527

[Study on quality standard of Mucuna pruriens var. utilis].

PubMed

Wu, Shi-Hong; Jiang, Wei-Zhe; Lv, Li; Wu, Ling-Ling; Lv, Cong; Shi, Xiao-Xia; Su, Gui-Liang

2009-03-01

To provide scientific basis for the utilization and development of Mucuna pruriens var. utilis by establishing its quality control standard. The bioactive constituents were analyzed by TLC and HPLC. Moisture, ash and the extracts of Mucuna pruriens var. utilis were all determined. The TLC spots of levodopa had similar color with the control group at the same position. The results of HPLC quantitative analysis showed that the linear range of levodopa was 26.45 to approximately 132.25 microg/mL, r = 0.9992, and the average recovery rate was 103.8%, RSD = 1.85%. This method is convenient, accurate, reliable with good reproducibility, so it can be used to establish quality standard for the medicinal material.

Evaluation of educational content of YouTube videos relating to neurogenic bladder and intermittent catheterization.

PubMed

Ho, Matthew; Stothers, Lynn; Lazare, Darren; Tsang, Brian; Macnab, Andrew

2015-01-01

Many patients conduct internet searches to manage their own health problems, to decide if they need professional help, and to corroborate information given in a clinical encounter. Good information can improve patients' understanding of their condition and their self-efficacy. Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) featuring neurogenic bladder (NB) require knowledge and skills related to their condition and need for intermittent catheterization (IC). Information quality was evaluated in videos accessed via YouTube relating to NB and IC using search terms "neurogenic bladder intermittent catheter" and "spinal cord injury intermittent catheter." Video content was independently rated by 3 investigators using criteria based on European Urological Association (EAU) guidelines and established clinical practice. In total, 71 videos met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 12 (17%) addressed IC and 50 (70%) contained information on NB. The remaining videos met inclusion criteria, but did not contain information relevant to either IC or NB. Analysis indicated poor overall quality of information, with some videos with information contradictory to EAU guidelines for IC. High-quality videos were randomly distributed by YouTube. IC videos featuring a healthcare narrator scored significantly higher than patient-narrated videos, but not higher than videos with a merchant narrator. About half of the videos contained commercial content. Some good-quality educational videos about NB and IC are available on YouTube, but most are poor. The videos deemed good quality were not prominently ranked by the YouTube search algorithm, consequently user access is less likely. Study limitations include the limit of 50 videos per category and the use of a de novo rating tool. Information quality in videos with healthcare narrators was not higher than in those featuring merchant narrators. Better material is required to improve patients' understanding of their condition.

Extraneous agents testing for substrates of avian origin and viral vaccines for poultry: current provisions and proposals for future approaches.

PubMed

Jungbäck, Carmen; Motitschke, Andreas

2010-05-01

In the 1970s the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) established the first requirements for testing starting materials for vaccines and the vaccines themselves. These requirements also cover testing for freedom from extraneous agents of specific pathogen free (SPF) chicken flocks, the embryonated eggs derived from them and viral vaccines for poultry. This was the first common European approach initiated by the Ph. Eur. as an institution of the Council of Europe and it was the beginning of building a scientific basis for vaccine quality. In the following years, the increasingly detailed requirements concerning viral purity also impacted viral vaccines for poultry, SPF chicken flocks and the embryonated eggs derived from them. The core of these requirements is formed by the list of extraneous agents that must be tested for and the accepted test methods. In the early 1990s and in 2004, the next steps were taken towards the harmonization of quality regulations for the production and testing of veterinary immunological products, this time at the level of the European Community. With the first step, good manufacturing practices (GMP) and good laboratory practices (GLP) were introduced, ensuring more consistent production, validation of production procedures and testing. The next step introduced the risk assessment, which covers the evaluation of the quality of production and control. The intention of these efforts is to contribute to the quality, safety and purity of the products placed on the market. It makes sense that, based on the outcome of the risk-evaluation, a reduction of in-process and final product testing may be called for in certain cases. However, despite the fact that the quality of the starting materials and vaccines has been increased over the years, the provisions of the Ph. Eur. have not been adjusted. Progress made by the manufacturers of starting materials and vaccines with respect to increasing the quality of their products should be recognised. This review gives an analysis of the current provisions of the Ph. Eur. and makes some proposals on how the requirements concerning the testing of extraneous agents could be modified to take into consideration the increase in quality that has been achieved over the past few decades. 2010 The International Association for Biologicals. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Preparation and certification of mussel reference material for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls using isotope dilution-high resolution mass spectrometry].

PubMed

Lu, Xianbo; Chen, Jiping; Wang, Shuqiu; Zou, Lili; Tian, Yuzeng; Ni, Yuwen; Su, Fan

2012-09-01

A method for the preparation and certification of the reference material of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in mussel tissue is described. The mussel tissue from Dalian Bay was frozen-dried, comminuted, sieved, homogenized, packaged, and sterilized by 60Co radiation sterilization in turn. The certified values for 18 OCPs and 16 PCBs were determined by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) using isotope dilution and internal standard quantitation techniques. The certified values were validated and given based on seven accredited laboratories, and these values are traceable to the SI (international system of units) through gravimetrically prepared standards of established purity and measurement intercomparisons. The certified values of PCBs and OCPs in mussel span 4 orders of magnitude with a relative uncertainty of about 10%. This material is a natural biological material with confirmed good homogeneity and stability, and it was approved as the grade "primary reference material" (GBW10069) in June 2012 in China. This reference material provided necessary quality control products for our country to implement the Stockholm Treaty on the monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The material is intended to be used for the method validation and quality control in the determination of OCPs and PCBs in biota samples.

Experimental investigation of the quality characteristics of agricultural plastic wastes regarding their recycling and energy recovery potential.

PubMed

Briassoulis, D; Hiskakis, M; Babou, E; Antiohos, S K; Papadi, C

2012-06-01

A holistic environmentally sound waste management scheme that transforms agricultural plastic waste (APW) streams into labelled guaranteed quality commodities freely traded in open market has been developed by the European research project LabelAgriWaste. The APW quality is defined by the APW material requirements, translated to technical specifications, for recycling or energy recovery. The present work investigates the characteristics of the APW quality and the key factors affecting it from the introduction of the virgin product to the market to the APW stream reaching the disposer. Samples of APW from different countries were traced from their application to the field through their storage phase and transportation to the final destination. The test results showed that the majority of APW retained their mechanical properties after their use preserving a "very good quality" for recycling in terms of degradation. The degree of soil contamination concerning the APW recycling and energy recovery potential fluctuates depending on the agricultural plastic category and application. The chlorine and heavy metal content of the tested APW materials was much lower than the maximum acceptable limits for their potential use in cement industries. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Radiation-Hardened Wafer Scale Integration

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-10-25

unlimited. LEXINGTON MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A focal plane processor (FPP) for a large array of LWIR photodetectors on a space platform must...It seems certain that large. scanning LWIR arrays will once again be of interest in the future, though their specifications will differ from those... nonuniformity and defects in the ZMR material, but films of good quality produced by this technique are now available commercially from Kopin Corporation. Such

It's Not Rocket Science; Students Know What Is Good for Them: The Efficacy of a Quality School Library

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Constantino, Rebecca

2008-01-01

Despite the media's fascination with the "literacy crisis," there is rarely any mention of the real cause of the problem: Lack of access to books for children of poverty. In this article, the author presents a compelling demonstration of what happens when librarians make sure children have access to interesting reading material: They read! And…

A Large-Scale Donor Attempt to Improve Educational Status of the Poor and Household Income Distribution: The Experience of PEDC in Vietnam

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carr-Hill, Roy A.

2011-01-01

In 2003, donors combined together in Vietnam to support the provision of quality primary schooling for 226 disadvantaged districts (about a third of the country). US $160 million was invested in infrastructure, materials and training across the 226 districts. The programme has been commended by donors and received good press inside Vietnam.…

Exporting English Pronunciation from China: The Communication Needs of Young Chinese Scientists as Teachers in Higher Education Abroad

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gorsuch, Greta

2011-01-01

China has become an exporter of material goods to the world, particularly to the United States. It is time for the exploration of a mutually beneficial relationship in a strikingly different realm, that of human capital in higher education and its contributions to the quality of university teaching. To faculty members and students at U.S.…

East Europe Report, Economic and Industrial Affairs

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-09-05

As. long as equipment to entrap sulfur dioxide from flue gases is not manufactured in this country, and fuels not desulfurized , or the fluidized...must coordinate, control and direct through the functional units the activities of commercial firms, directorates and offices in accordance with the...and other materials used in the production of goods with substandard indicators. 11 Particular attention has been paid to quality control personnel

British Thoracic Society quality standards for the investigation and management of pulmonary nodules.

PubMed

Baldwin, David; Callister, Matthew; Akram, Ahsan; Cane, Paul; Draffan, Jeanette; Franks, Kevin; Gleeson, Fergus; Graham, Richard; Malhotra, Puneet; Pearson, Philip; Subesinghe, Manil; Waller, David; Woolhouse, Ian

2018-01-01

The purpose of the quality standards document is to provide healthcare professionals, commissioners, service providers and patients with a guide to standards of care that should be met for the investigation and management of pulmonary nodules in the UK, together with measurable markers of good practice. Development of British Thoracic Society (BTS) Quality Standards follows the BTS process of quality standard production based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence process manual for the development of quality standards. 7 quality statements have been developed, each describing a key marker of high-quality, cost-effective care for the investigation and management of pulmonary nodules, and each statement is supported by quality measures that aim to improve the structure, process and outcomes of healthcare. BTS Quality Standards for the investigation and management of pulmonary nodules form a key part of the range of supporting materials that the Society produces to assist in the dissemination and implementation of guideline recommendations.

British Thoracic Society quality standards for the investigation and management of pulmonary nodules

PubMed Central

Baldwin, David; Callister, Matthew; Akram, Ahsan; Cane, Paul; Draffan, Jeanette; Franks, Kevin; Gleeson, Fergus; Graham, Richard; Malhotra, Puneet; Pearson, Philip; Subesinghe, Manil; Waller, David; Woolhouse, Ian

2018-01-01

Introduction The purpose of the quality standards document is to provide healthcare professionals, commissioners, service providers and patients with a guide to standards of care that should be met for the investigation and management of pulmonary nodules in the UK, together with measurable markers of good practice. Methods Development of British Thoracic Society (BTS) Quality Standards follows the BTS process of quality standard production based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence process manual for the development of quality standards. Results 7 quality statements have been developed, each describing a key marker of high-quality, cost-effective care for the investigation and management of pulmonary nodules, and each statement is supported by quality measures that aim to improve the structure, process and outcomes of healthcare. Discussion BTS Quality Standards for the investigation and management of pulmonary nodules form a key part of the range of supporting materials that the Society produces to assist in the dissemination and implementation of guideline recommendations. PMID:29682290

Suppressing the image smear of the vibration modulation transfer function for remote-sensing optical cameras.

PubMed

Li, Jin; Liu, Zilong; Liu, Si

2017-02-20

In on-board photographing processes of satellite cameras, the platform vibration can generate image motion, distortion, and smear, which seriously affect the image quality and image positioning. In this paper, we create a mathematical model of a vibrating modulate transfer function (VMTF) for a remote-sensing camera. The total MTF of a camera is reduced by the VMTF, which means the image quality is degraded. In order to avoid the degeneration of the total MTF caused by vibrations, we use an Mn-20Cu-5Ni-2Fe (M2052) manganese copper alloy material to fabricate a vibration-isolation mechanism (VIM). The VIM can transform platform vibration energy into irreversible thermal energy with its internal twin crystals structure. Our experiment shows the M2052 manganese copper alloy material is good enough to suppress image motion below 125 Hz, which is the vibration frequency of satellite platforms. The camera optical system has a higher MTF after suppressing the vibration of the M2052 material than before.

An experimental study on laser drilling and cutting of composite materials for the aerospace industry using excimer and CO2 sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

dell'Erba, M.; Galantucci, L. M.; Miglietta, S.

This paper reports on the results of research which investigated the potential for the application of an excimer laser in the field of composite material drilling and cutting, by comparing this technology with that using CO2 sources. In particular, the scope of the work was to check whether the interaction between excimer lasers and composite materials, whose characteristic feature is the absence of thermal transfer, could yield better results than those obtainable with CO2 sources once heat transfer-induced difficulties had been eliminated. The materials selected for the experiments were multilayer composites having an epoxy resin matrix (65 percent in volume), with aramid fiber (Kevlar), carbon fiber and glass fiber as reinforcing materials, all of considerable interest for the aerospace industry. Optimal operational parameters were identified in relation to each source with a view to obtaining undersize holes or through cuts exhibiting severed areas of good quality. A comparison between the two types of processing carried out show that rims processed by excimer lasers are of better quality - particularly so with Kevlar - whereas the ablation rate is undoubtedly rather low compared with the CO2 technology.

7 CFR 51.485 - Good internal quality.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Good internal quality. 51.485 Section 51.485... STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups 1 Definitions § 51.485 Good internal quality. Good internal quality means that the combined juice from the edible portion of a sample of cantaloups...

Comparison of beer quality attributes between beers brewed with 100% barley malt and 100% barley raw material.

PubMed

Steiner, Elisabeth; Auer, Andrea; Becker, Thomas; Gastl, Martina

2012-03-15

Brewing with 100% barley using the Ondea® Pro exogenous brewing enzyme product was compared to brewing with 100% barley. The use of barley, rather than malt, in the brewing process and the consequences for selected beer quality attributes (foam formation, colloidal stability and filterability, sensory differences, protein content and composition) was considered. The quality attributes of barley, malt, kettle-full-wort, cold wort, unfiltered beer and filtered beer were assessed. A particular focus was given to monitoring changes in the barley protein composition during the brewing process and how the exogenous OndeaPro® enzymes influenced wort protein composition. All analyses were based on standard brewing methods described in ASBC, EBC or MEBAK. To monitor the protein changes two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used. It was shown that by brewing beer with 100% barley and an appropriate addition of exogenous Ondea® Pro enzymes it was possible to efficiently brew beer of a satisfactory quality. The production of beers brewed with 100% barley resulted in good process efficiency (lautering and filtration) and to a final product whose sensory quality was described as light, with little body and mouthfeel, very good foam stability and similar organoleptic qualities compared to conventional malt beer. In spite of the sensory evaluation differences could still be seen in protein content and composition. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

A knowledge infrastructure for occupational safety and health.

PubMed

van Dijk, Frank J H; Verbeek, Jos H; Hoving, Jan L; Hulshof, Carel T J

2010-12-01

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) professionals should use scientific evidence to support their decisions in policy and practice. Although examples from practice show that progress has been made in evidence-based decision making, there is a challenge to improve and extend the facilities that support knowledge translation in practice. A knowledge infrastructure that supports OSH practice should include scientific research, systematic reviews, practice guidelines, and other tools for professionals such as well accessible virtual libraries and databases providing knowledge, quality tools, and good learning materials. A good infrastructure connects facilities with each other and with practice. Training and education is needed for OSH professionals in the use of evidence to improve effectiveness and efficiency. New initiatives show that occupational health can profit from intensified international collaboration to establish a good functioning knowledge infrastructure.

Sol–gel preparation of well-adhered films and long range ordered inverse opal films of BaTiO{sub 3} and Bi{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}

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

Al-Arjan, Wafa S.; King Faisal University, PO Box 380, Al Hofuf; Algaradah, Mohammed M.F.

Highlights: • Highly adaptable sols are presented for processing of the electroceramic materials BaTiO{sub 3} and Bi{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}. • High quality thin films are produced by dip coating with good phase control. • Infiltration of cross-linked polystyrene templates led to high quality inverse opals. - Abstract: Barium and bismuth titanate thin films and well-ordered inverse opal films are produced by dip coating from sols containing titanium alkoxides with acetic acid, acetylacetone, methoxyethanol and water. The inverse opal preparations used crosslinked polystyrene opal templates. Heat treatment in air produced tetragonal BaTiO{sub 3} or mixtures of the hexagonal and tetragonalmore » phases, or phase pure Bi{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}. Good quality films were obtained with a thickness of 5 μm from a single dipping, and the thickness could be increased by dipping multiple times. Inverse opals were well ordered and exhibited opalescence and photonic stop band effects.« less

Investigation of Defects Origin in p-Type Si for Solar Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gwóźdź, Katarzyna; Placzek-Popko, Ewa; Mikosza, Maciej; Zielony, Eunika; Pietruszka, Rafal; Kopalko, Krzysztof; Godlewski, Marek

2017-07-01

In order to improve the efficiency of a solar cell based on silicon, one must find a compromise between its price and crystalline quality. That is precisely why the knowledge of defects present in the material is of primary importance. This paper studies the defects in commercially available cheap Schottky titanium/gold silicon wafers. The electrical properties of the diodes were defined by using current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements. Low series resistance and ideality factor are proofs of the good quality of the sample. The concentration of the acceptors is in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Deep level transient spectroscopy measurements were used to identify the defects. Three hole traps were found with activation energies equal to 0.093 eV, 0.379 eV, and 0.535 eV. Comparing the values with the available literature, the defects were determined as connected to the presence of iron interstitials in the silicon. The quality of the silicon wafer seems good enough to use it as a substrate for the solar cell heterojunctions.

Characterization of directionally solidified lead chloride

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Narsingh Bahadur; Duval, W. M. B.; Rosenthal, B. N.

1988-01-01

A directionally solidified PbCl2 material was prepared and analyzed and subsequently used to grow single crystals. It was found that silicon, halogens, sulfur, magnesium, and phosphorus were the hardest impurities to remove by the single-pass directional freezing. Single crystals grown from the purified material displayed good scattering beam quality and showed no absorption peaks between 0.30 to 20 microns. Direct photographic observations of the solid-liquid interface at several G/V (denoting the temperature gradient and the translation velocity, respectively) ratio values showed that, as the G/V ratio decreased, the interface varied from a smooth convex surface to dendritic.

Influence of manufacturing practices on quality of pharmaceutical products manufactured in Kenya.

PubMed

Orwa, J A; Keter, L K; Ouko, S P A; Kibwage, I O; Rukunga, G M

2004-06-01

To establish the quality of pharmaceutical products manufactured by the respective industries in Kenya and determine the effect of manufacturing practices on the quality of these products. Cross-sectional study. Industries examined are in Nairobi, Kenya. Laboratory analysis was carried out using available facilities at Kenya Medical Research Institute and University of Nairobi, Faculty of Pharmacy. Structured Questionnaires were administered to examine how the code of good manufacturing practices has been used in the production of each pharmaceutical product by respective companies. Questionnaires designed to evaluate the distribution and carry out limited post-market surveillance study were administered to community pharmacy outlets. Drugs were sampled and analyzed for their quality according to the respective monographs. The questionnaires administered to the industry included the source of raw materials, quarantine procedure before and after manufacture, manufacturing procedure, quality audit, quality assurance procedure, equipment, and staff. That administered to the pharmacy outlet included availability, affordability and acceptability of locally manufactured pharmaceutical products. Quality analysis of products involved the establishment of the chemical content, dissolution profile, friability, uniformity of weight and identity. For antibiotic suspensions the stability after reconstitution was also determined. There were 15 respondents and two non-respondents from the industry and six out of nine respondents from the pharmacy outlets. The ratio of qualified staff to product range produced seemed to influence product quality. Industries producing several products with only limited number of pharmaceutical staff had more products failing to comply with pharmacopoeia specifications compared to those producing only few products. Nevertheless, all companies are well equipped with quality control equipment, in accordance with type of product manufactured. Private pharmacies stocked few of the locally manufactured products. The reason, they said, was due to low doctor and/or patient acceptance. Compliance with quality specifications as set out in respective monographs was overall 76%. Although the local pharmaceutical industries have adopted good manufacturing practices leading to many good quality products currently in commerce, these manufacturing practices are not comprehensive and measures need to be taken to continue improving them.

A Facile Growth of Cu2ZnSnS4/ZnS Materials by Sulfurization of Stacked Co-Electroplated-Annealed Metallic Film(s) for Photovoltaic Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turkdogan, Sunay

2018-04-01

In this paper, growth and characterization of functional Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) and ZnS materials are demonstrated. We propose a versatile growth method that depends on the deposition of stacked metallic film by electroplating followed by sulfurization in Sulfur ambient at 500 °C. We have investigated the effect of direct and indirect sulfurization methods ZnS materials were grown as a proof of concept material to make the comparison between two methods. Indirect sulfurization was found to produce higher quality materials and therefore used for CZTS material growth, as well. The results show that CZTS and ZnS materials were grown with high crystal quality in wurtzite and zincblende structure form, respectively. CZTS materials have ∼1.49 eV direct-band gap energy, hydrophilic surface and possess p-type conductivity. All the results are in good agreement with the literature and we believe that our versatile growth method is superior to most of vacuum and non-vacuum based growth methods when the large-scale production and low-cost fabrication are of particular interests. The developed method might not only be promising to grow CZTS and ZnS, but also other semiconductors that can be employed for various optoelectronic/electronic devices.

Direct fabrication of 3D graphene on nanoporous anodic alumina by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

PubMed Central

Zhan, Hualin; Garrett, David J.; Apollo, Nicholas V.; Ganesan, Kumaravelu; Lau, Desmond; Prawer, Steven; Cervenka, Jiri

2016-01-01

High surface area electrode materials are of interest for a wide range of potential applications such as super-capacitors and electrochemical cells. This paper describes a fabrication method of three-dimensional (3D) graphene conformally coated on nanoporous insulating substrate with uniform nanopore size. 3D graphene films were formed by controlled graphitization of diamond-like amorphous carbon precursor films, deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). Plasma-assisted graphitization was found to produce better quality graphene than a simple thermal graphitization process. The resulting 3D graphene/amorphous carbon/alumina structure has a very high surface area, good electrical conductivity and exhibits excellent chemically stability, providing a good material platform for electrochemical applications. Consequently very large electrochemical capacitance values, as high as 2.1 mF for a sample of 10 mm3, were achieved. The electrochemical capacitance of the material exhibits a dependence on bias voltage, a phenomenon observed by other groups when studying graphene quantum capacitance. The plasma-assisted graphitization, which dominates the graphitization process, is analyzed and discussed in detail. PMID:26805546

Direct fabrication of 3D graphene on nanoporous anodic alumina by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

PubMed

Zhan, Hualin; Garrett, David J; Apollo, Nicholas V; Ganesan, Kumaravelu; Lau, Desmond; Prawer, Steven; Cervenka, Jiri

2016-01-25

High surface area electrode materials are of interest for a wide range of potential applications such as super-capacitors and electrochemical cells. This paper describes a fabrication method of three-dimensional (3D) graphene conformally coated on nanoporous insulating substrate with uniform nanopore size. 3D graphene films were formed by controlled graphitization of diamond-like amorphous carbon precursor films, deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). Plasma-assisted graphitization was found to produce better quality graphene than a simple thermal graphitization process. The resulting 3D graphene/amorphous carbon/alumina structure has a very high surface area, good electrical conductivity and exhibits excellent chemically stability, providing a good material platform for electrochemical applications. Consequently very large electrochemical capacitance values, as high as 2.1 mF for a sample of 10 mm(3), were achieved. The electrochemical capacitance of the material exhibits a dependence on bias voltage, a phenomenon observed by other groups when studying graphene quantum capacitance. The plasma-assisted graphitization, which dominates the graphitization process, is analyzed and discussed in detail.

Guidelines for the planning and preparation of illustrated technical talks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hubbard, H. H.

1975-01-01

Guidelines are presented for the preparation of illustrated talks which are audience oriented and which are aimed at the efficient transfer of technical information. Early decisions concerning the required number of slides are helpful in initial planning for a good quality talk. Detailed considerations are: the establishment of limited objectives, selection of appropriate slide material, development of a text which is well coordinated with the slides, and accurate timing.

Quality design of belite–melilite clinker

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

Kurokawa, Daisuke, E-mail: daisuke_kurokawa@taiheiyo-cement.co.jp; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya 466-8555; Honma, Kenichi

2013-12-15

We have developed a new cement clinker, consisting mainly of belite and melilite, which is capable of increasing the amount of recycled waste as a part of its raw materials. We analyzed clinkers with a wide range of compositions, and clarified the quantitative relationship between the chemical and mineral compositions. Clinkers consisting mostly of belite and melilite were successfully obtained at the CaO/SiO{sub 2} mass ratio of 1.7 to 1.9. Test cements were prepared using these clinkers and mixed with OPC for the evaluation of fluidity and strength. The belite–melilite cement was found to have good fluidity, and the belite–melilitemore » cement mixed with OPC at up to 30% exhibited a satisfactory long term strength equivalent to the OPC, demonstrating the potential as an alternative to OPC. Electron probe microanalysis revealed the relatively high concentration of diphosphorus pentaoxide in belite, suggesting this component might contribute to the strength enhancement of the cement. -- Highlights: •A new cement clinker consisting mainly of belite and melilite was designed. •The clinker enables the use of various recycled wastes as part of its raw materials. •The relationship between the chemical and mineral compositions was clarified. •This cement mixed with OPC at up to 30% exhibited a good quality equivalent to OPC.« less

COMPARISON STUDY OF VARIOUS PLASTICS AS THE WALL MATERIAL OF THGEM-BASED MICRODOSEMETERS FOR FAST NEUTRON MEASUREMENTS.

PubMed

Moslehi, A; Raisali, G; Lamehi, M

2017-04-15

To find appropriate substitutions for the expensive plastics of A-150 and rexolite used in the construction of thick gas electron multiplier (THGEM)-based tissue-equivalent proportional counters, in the present work, the responses of a THGEM-based microdosimetric detector made of A-150 and rexolite and three others composed of plexiglas (PMMA), polyethylene and polystyrene plastics as the wall materials have been compared. Lineal energy distribution, frequency-averaged lineal energy, dose-averaged lineal energy, mean quality factor and dose-equivalent for 0.1, 1 and 10 MeV neutrons and also for 241Am-Be neutrons are calculated using Geant4 simulation toolkit. Frequency-averaged lineal energy, dose-averaged lineal energy, mean quality factor and dose-equivalent values for all plastics are found similar. In addition, the response of an indigenously constructed microdosemeter with PMMA walls is also measured for 241Am-Be neutrons. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulation predictions. Conclusively, it was found that the three considered plastics can be used as good candidates instead of A-150 and rexolite plastics in fast neutron microdosimetry. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations.

PubMed

2012-01-01

The Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations works towards clear, independent and practical standards and guidelines for the quality assurance of medicines. Standards are developed by the Committee through worldwide consultation and an international consensus-building process. The following new guidelines were adopted and recommended for use: Development of monographs for The International Pharmacopoeia; WHO good manufacturing practices: water for pharmaceutical use; Pharmaceutical development of multisource (generic) pharmaceutical products--points to consider; Guidelines on submission of documentation for a multisource (generic) finished pharmaceutical product for the WHO Prequalification of Medicines Programme: quality part; Development of paediatric medicines: points to consider in formulation; Recommendations for quality requirements for artemisinin as a starting material in the production of antimalarial active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Yb3+-doped rod-type amplifiers with local adiabatic tapers for peak power scaling and beam quality improvement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Yuan; Eschrich, Tina; Leich, Martin; Grimm, Stephan; Kobelke, Jens; Lorenz, Martin; Bartelt, Hartmut; Jäger, Matthias

2017-10-01

The use of short local tapers in large mode area fiber amplifiers is proposed for peak power scaling while maintaining good beam quality. To avoid modal distortions, the powder-sintering (REPUSIL) method was employed to obtain core materials with excellent refractive index homogeneity. First experiments with Yb3+-doped rod-type amplifiers delivered 2 ns pulses with peak powers of 540 kW and energies of 1.4 mJ for the untapered rod and 230 kW for the tapered rod (limited by facet damage). The beam quality improved from an M 2 value of approximately 10 to 3.5. The investigation of the taper structure indicates room for further improvement.

Development of a wheat-Aegilops searsii substitution line with positively affecting Chinese steamed bread quality

PubMed Central

Du, Xuye; Ma, Xin; Min, Jingzhi; Zhang, Xiaocun; Jia, Zhenzhen

2018-01-01

A wheat-Aegilops searsii substitution line GL1402, in which chromosome 1B was substituted with 1Ss from Ae. searsii, was developed and detected using SDS-PAGE and GISH. The SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the HMW-GS encoded by the Glu-B1 loci of Chinese Spring was replaced by the HMW-GS encoded by the Glu-1Ss loci of Ae. searsii. Glutenin macropolymer (GMP) investigation showed that GL1402 had a much higher GMP content than Chinese Spring did. A dough quality comparison of GL1402 and Chinese Spring indicated that GL1402 showed a significantly higher protein content and middle peak time (MPT), and a smaller right peak slope (RPS). Quality tests of Chinese steamed bread (CSB) showed that the GL1402 also produced good steamed bread quality. These results suggested that the substitution line is a valuable breeding material for improving the wheat processing quality.

The role of fixation and bone quality on the mechanical stability of tibial knee components.

PubMed

Lee, R W; Volz, R G; Sheridan, D C

1991-12-01

Tibial component loosening remains one of the major causes of failure of cemented and noncemented total knee arthroplasties. In this study, the authors identified the role of implant design, method of fixation, and bone density as it related to implant stability. The physical properties of "good" and "bad" bone were simulated using a "good" and "bad" foam model of the proximal tibia, fabricated in the laboratory from DARO RF-100 foam. A generic tibial component permitting various fixation designs was implanted into "good" and "bad" variable density foam tibial models in both cemented and noncemented modes. The mechanical stability of the implants was determined using a Materials Testing Machine by the application of an eccentrically applied cyclic load. The micromotion (subsidence and lift-off) of the tibial implants was recorded using two Linear Variable Differential Transformers. Statistically significant differences in implant stability were recorded as a function of fixation method. The most rigid implant fixation was achieved using four peripherally placed, 6.5-mm cancellous screws. The addition of a central stem added stability only in the case of "poor" quality foam. The mechanical stability of noncemented implants related directly to the density of the foam. Implant stability was greatly enhanced in "poor" quality foam by the use of cement. The method of implant fixation and bone density are critical determinants to tibial implant stability.

Evaluation of the quality and health literacy demand of online renal diet information.

PubMed

Lambert, K; Mullan, J; Mansfield, K; Koukomous, A; Mesiti, L

2017-10-01

Dietary modification is critical in the self-management of chronic kidney disease. The present study describes the accuracy, quality and health literacy demand of renal diet information for adults with kidney disease obtained from the Internet and YouTube (www.youtube.com). A comprehensive content analysis was undertaken in April and July 2015 of 254 eligible websites and 161 YouTube videos. The accuracy of the renal diet information was evaluated by comparing the key messages with relevant evidence-based guidelines for the dietary management of people with kidney disease. The DISCERN tool (www.discern.org.uk) was used to evaluate the quality of the material. Health literacy demand was evaluated using the Patient Education Material Assessment Tool (www.ahrq.gov/professionals/prevention-chronic-care/improve/self-mgmt/pemat/index.html) and seven validated readability calculators. The most frequent renal diet topic found online was generic dietary information for people with chronic kidney disease. The proportion of renal diet information obtained from websites that was accurate was 73%. However, this information was mostly of poor quality with extensive shortcomings, difficult to action and written with a high health literacy demand. By contrast, renal diet information available from YouTube was highly understandable and actionable, although only 18% of the videos were accurate, and a large proportion were of poor quality with extensive shortcomings. The most frequent authors of accurate, good quality, understandable, material were government bodies, dietitians, academic institutions and medical organisations. Renal diet information found online that is written by government bodies, dietitians, academic institutions and medical organisations is recommended. Further work is required to improve the quality and, most importantly, the actionability of renal diet information found online. © 2017 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.

Thermal Exfoliation of Natural Cellulosic Material for Graphene Synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ray, Ajoy Kumar; Chatterjee, Somenath; Singh, Jitendra Kumar; Bapari, Himangshu

2015-01-01

Hibiscus flower petals have been used as a cheap natural resource precursor for cost-effective synthesis of high quality graphene by thermal exfoliation process. In order to compare the quality of graphene obtained from the flower petals directly with the flower petals pretreated with nickel(II) chloride, Raman spectroscopic technique has been used as the structural probe. The role of temperature and the effect of nickel on thermal exfoliation process have been examined. It has been observed that graphene obtained via nickel incorporation is of better quality because NI2+ ions that get dispersed in the layered-structured cellulose at elevated temperatures get reduced to the metallic state, which in turn push the graphitic layers during thermal exfoliation to produce good quality graphene. In contrast, no such driving force is present in cellulose and hemi-cellulose of flower petals that contain lignin.

Diagnostic value and cost-effectiveness of good quality digital images accompanying electronic referrals for suspected skin malignancies.

PubMed

Ng, Michael F Y; Stevenson, J Howard

2011-04-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome and cost-effectiveness of good and poor quality photographs accompanying the electronic referrals for suspected skin malignancies. A retrospective study of 100 patients, divided into 2 groups, 50 with good quality photographs and 50 with poor quality photographs. Patients with no digital images, or who failed to attend, or patients with incomplete notes were excluded from the study. The treatment pathway, waiting times, and estimated cost between the 2 groups were compared. Good photographs were more likely to be treated at the 1-Stop Clinic (P = 0.05). Good images had a better positive predictive value than poor quality images (62.55% vs. 42.86%). Good quality images are more accurate than poor quality images in triaging of patients, and thus more effective in facilitating the treatment of malignant lesions timely. Good quality photographs allow a delayed appropriate treatment of benign lesions. This increases the safety for patients in a queue in a rationed health care system, and improves patient flow.

Non Destructive Analysis of Fsw Welds using Ultrasonic Signal Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavan Kumar, T.; Prabhakar Reddy, P.

2017-08-01

Friction Stir Welding is an evolving metal joining technique and is mostly used in joining materials which cannot be easily joined by other available welding techniques. It is a technique which can be used for welding dissimilar materials also. The strength of the weld joint is determined by the way in which these material are mixing with each other, since we are not using any filler material for the welding process the intermixing has a significant importance. The complication with the friction stir welding process is that there are many process parameters which effect this intermixing process such as tool geometry, rotating speed of the tool, transverse speed etc., In this study an attempt is made to compare the material flow and weld quality of various weldments by changing the parameters. Ultrasonic signal Analysis is used to characterize the microstructure of the weldments. use of ultrasonic waves is a non destructive, accurate and fast way of characterization of microstructure. In this method the relationship between the ultrasonic measured parameters and microstructures are evaluated using background echo and backscattered signal process techniques. The ultrasonic velocity and attenuation measurements are dependent on the elastic modulus and any change in the microstructure is reflected in the ultrasonic velocity. An insight into material flow is essential to determine the quality of the weld. Hence an attempt is made in this study to know the relationship between tool geometry and the pattern of material flow and resulting weld quality the experiments are conducted to weld dissimilar aluminum alloys and the weldments are characterized using and ultra Sonic signal processing. Characterization is also done using Scanning Electron Microscopy. It is observed that there is a good correlation between the ultrasonic signal processing results and Scanning Electron Microscopy on the observed precipitates. Tensile tests and hardness tests are conducted on the weldments and compared for determining the weld quality.

Monitoring-well installation, slug testing, and groundwater quality for selected sites in South Park, Park County, Colorado, 2013

USGS Publications Warehouse

Arnold, Larry R. Rick

2015-01-01

During May–June, 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Park County, Colorado, drilled and installed four groundwater monitoring wells in areas identified as needing new wells to provide adequate spatial coverage for monitoring water quality in the South Park basin. Lithologic logs and well-construction reports were prepared for each well, and wells were developed after drilling to remove mud and foreign material to provide for good hydraulic connection between the well and aquifer. Slug tests were performed to estimate hydraulic-conductivity values for aquifer materials in the screened interval of each well, and groundwater samples were collected from each well for analysis of major inorganic constituents, trace metals, nutrients, dissolved organic carbon, volatile organic compounds, ethane, methane, and radon. Documentation of lithologic logs, well construction, well development, slug testing, and groundwater sampling are presented in this report.

Investigation of heat transfer and material flow of P-FSSW: Experimental and numerical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rezazadeh, Niki; Mosavizadeh, Seyed Mostafa; Azizi, Hamed

2018-02-01

Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) is the joining process which utilizes a rotating tool consisting of a shoulder and/or a probe. In this study, the novel method of FSSW, which is called protrusion friction stir spot welding (P-FSSW), has been presented and effect of shoulder diameter parameter has been studied numerically and experimentally on the weld quality including temperature field, velocity contour, material flow, bonding length, and the depth of the stirred area. The results show that the numerical findings are in good agreement with experimental measurements. The present model could well predict the temperature distribution, velocity contour, depth of the stirred area, and the bonding length. As the shoulder diameter increases, the amount of temperature rises which leads to a rise in stirred area depth, bonding length and temperatures and velocities. Therefore, a weld of higher quality will be performed.

Image enhancement using MCNP5 code and MATLAB in neutron radiography.

PubMed

Tharwat, Montaser; Mohamed, Nader; Mongy, T

2014-07-01

This work presents a method that can be used to enhance the neutron radiography (NR) image for objects with high scattering materials like hydrogen, carbon and other light materials. This method used Monte Carlo code, MCNP5, to simulate the NR process and get the flux distribution for each pixel of the image and determines the scattered neutron distribution that caused image blur, and then uses MATLAB to subtract this scattered neutron distribution from the initial image to improve its quality. This work was performed before the commissioning of digital NR system in Jan. 2013. The MATLAB enhancement method is quite a good technique in the case of static based film neutron radiography, while in neutron imaging (NI) technique, image enhancement and quantitative measurement were efficient by using ImageJ software. The enhanced image quality and quantitative measurements were presented in this work. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Out of the Autoclave Fabrication of LaRC[TradeMark] PETI-9 Polyimide Laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cano, Robert J.; Jensen, Brian J.

2013-01-01

The NASA Langley Research Center developed polyimide system, LaRC PETI-9, has successfully been processed into composites by high temperature vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (HT-VARTM). To extend the application of this high use temperature material to other out-of-autoclave (OOA) processing techniques, the fabrication of PETI- 9 laminates was evaluated using only a vacuum bag and oven cure. A LaRC PETI-9 polyimide solution in NMP was prepared and successfully utilized to fabricate unidirectional IM7 carbon fiber prepreg that was subsequently processed into composites with a vacuum bag and oven cure OOA process. Composite panels of good quality were successfully fabricated and mechanically tested. Processing characteristics, composite panel quality and mechanical properties are presented in this work. The resultant properties are compared to previously developed LaRC material systems processed by both autoclave and OOA techniques including the well characterized, autoclave processed LaRC PETI-5.

Nurse managers' experiences in continuous quality improvement in resource-poor healthcare settings.

PubMed

Kakyo, Tracy Alexis; Xiao, Lily Dongxia

2017-06-01

Ensuring safe and quality care for patients in hospitals is an important part of a nurse manager's role. Continuous quality improvement has been identified as one approach that leads to the delivery of quality care services to patients and is widely used by nurse managers to improve patient care. Nurse managers' experiences in initiating continuous quality improvement activities in resource-poor healthcare settings remain largely unknown. Research evidence is highly demanded in these settings to address disease burden and evidence-based practice. This interpretive qualitative study was conducted to gain an understanding of nurse managers' Continuous Quality Improvement experiences in rural hospitals in Uganda. Nurse managers in rural healthcare settings used their role to prioritize quality improvement activities, monitor the Continuous Quality Improvement process, and utilize in-service education to support continuous quality improvement. The nurse managers in our sample encountered a number of barriers during the implementation of Continuous Quality Improvement, including: limited patient participation, lack of materials, and limited human resources. Efforts to address the challenges faced through good governance and leadership development require more attention. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Quality and use of consumer information provided with home test kits: room for improvement.

PubMed

Grispen, Janaica E J; Ickenroth, Martine H P; de Vries, Nanne K; van der Weijden, Trudy; Ronda, Gaby

2014-10-01

Diagnostic self-tests (tests on body materials that are initiated by consumers with the aim of diagnosing a disorder or risk factor) are becoming increasingly available. Although the pros and cons of self-testing are currently not clear, it is an existing phenomenon that is likely to gain further popularity. To examine consumers' use of and needs for information about self-testing, and to assess the quality of consumer information provided with home test kits, as perceived by consumers and as assessed using a checklist of quality criteria. A cross-sectional Internet survey among 305 self-testers assessed their use of and needs for information and their perception of the quality of consumer information provided with self-test kits. A meta-search engine was used to identify Dutch and English consumer information for home diagnostic tests available online at the time of the study. The quality of this consumer information was evaluated using a checklist of quality criteria. The consumers' information needs were in line with the most frequently used information, and the information was perceived as being of moderate to good quality. The information was mostly in agreement with clinical practice guidelines, although information on reliability and follow-up behaviour was limited. Approximately half of the instruction leaflets did not include information on the target group of the test. Although generally of moderate to good quality, some aspects of the information provided were in many cases insufficient. European legislation concerning self-tests and accompanying information needs to be adapted and adhered to more closely. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effectiveness of Cooperative Learning Instructional Tools With Predict-Observe-Explain Strategy on the Topic of Cuboid and Cube Volume

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurhuda; Lukito, A.; Masriyah

2018-01-01

This study aims to develop instructional tools and implement it to see the effectiveness. The method used in this research referred to Designing Effective Instruction. Experimental research with two-group pretest-posttest design method was conducted. The instructional tools have been developed is cooperative learning model with predict-observe-explain strategy on the topic of cuboid and cube volume which consist of lesson plans, POE tasks, and Tests. Instructional tools were of good quality by criteria of validity, practicality, and effectiveness. These instructional tools was very effective for teaching the volume of cuboid and cube. Cooperative instructional tool with predict-observe-explain (POE) strategy was good of quality because the teacher was easy to implement the steps of learning, students easy to understand the material and students’ learning outcomes completed classically. Learning by using this instructional tool was effective because learning activities were appropriate and students were very active. Students’ learning outcomes were completed classically and better than conventional learning. This study produced a good instructional tool and effectively used in learning. Therefore, these instructional tools can be used as an alternative to teach volume of cuboid and cube topics.

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

Mukherji, Debashish; Stuehn, Torsten; Kremer, Kurt

Smart polymers are a modern class of polymeric materials that often exhibit unpredictable behavior in mixtures of solvents. One such phenomenon is co-non-solvency. Co-non-solvency occurs when two (perfectly) miscible and competing good solvents, for a given polymer, are mixed together. As a result, the same polymer collapses into a compact globule within intermediate mixing ratios. More interestingly, polymer collapses when the solvent quality remains good and even gets increasingly better by the addition of the better cosolvent. This is a puzzling phenomenon that is driven by strong local concentration fluctuations. Because of the discrete particle based nature of the interactions,more » Flory-Huggins type mean field arguments become unsuitable. In this work, we extend the analysis of the co-non-solvency effect presented earlier [D. Mukherji et al., Nat. Commun. 5, 4882 (2014)]. We explain why co-non-solvency is a generic phenomenon, which can only be understood by the thermodynamic treatment of the competitive displacement of (co)solvent components. This competition can result in a polymer collapse upon improvement of the solvent quality. Specific chemical details are not required to understand these complex conformational transitions. Therefore, a broad range of polymers are expected to exhibit similar reentrant coil-globule-coil transitions in competing good solvents.« less

The Effect of Anchors and Training on the Reliability of Voice Quality Ratings for Different Types of Speech Stimuli.

PubMed

Brinca, Lilia; Batista, Ana Paula; Tavares, Ana Inês; Pinto, Patrícia N; Araújo, Lara

2015-11-01

The main objective of the present study was to investigate if the type of voice stimuli-sustained vowel, oral reading, and connected speech-results in good intrarater and interrater agreement/reliability. A short-term panel study was performed. Voice samples from 30 native European Portuguese speakers were used in the present study. The speech materials used were (1) the sustained vowel /a/, (2) oral reading of the European Portuguese version of "The Story of Arthur the Rat," and (3) connected speech. After an extensive training with textual and auditory anchors, the judges were asked to rate the severity of dysphonic voice stimuli using the phonation dimensions G, R, and B from the GRBAS scale. The voice samples were judged 6 months and 1 year after the training. Intrarater agreement and reliability were generally very good for all the phonation dimensions and voice stimuli. The highest interrater reliability was obtained using the oral reading stimulus, particularly for phonation dimensions grade (G) and breathiness (B). Roughness (R) was the voice quality that was the most difficult to evaluate, leading to interrater unreliability in all voice quality ratings. Extensive training using textual and auditory anchors and the use of anchors during the voice evaluations appear to be good methods for auditory-perceptual evaluation of dysphonic voices. The best results of interrater reliability were obtained when the oral reading stimulus was used. Breathiness appears to be a voice quality that is easier to evaluate than roughness. Copyright © 2015 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Some Nutritional Characteristics of a Naturally Occurring Alga (Microcystis sp.) in a Guatemalan Lake

PubMed Central

de la Fuente, Gabriel; Flores, Antonio; Molina, Mario R.; Almengor, Leticia; Bressani, Ricardo

1977-01-01

The nutritional characteristics of an alga (Microcystis sp.) that occurs naturally in a Guatemalan lake were determined. The sun-dried material proved to have a high protein content (55.6%) and to be a possible good source of calcium and phosphorus (1, 169.1 and 633.4 mg/100 mg, respectively). Amino acid analysis showed that total sulfur amino acids were the most deficient ones, giving a protein score of 42 to the material. The in vitro protein digestibility of the material was 69.5%. Biological trials demonstrated that when the material was offered as the only protein source, very low consumption and a high mortality rate were obtained whether or not the diet was supplemented with 0.4% dl-methionine. However, when the material supplied 25% of the total protein of a corn-algae diet, the protein quality of the cereal was significantly improved (P < 0.05). PMID:16345191

Enhancing NGO capacity in HIV / AIDS materials development: experiences from Nepal.

PubMed

Frey, M; Pyakuryal, N

1995-07-01

With the goal of improving the communication skills of Nepali nongovernmental organizations (NGO) involved in HIV/AIDS prevention programs and activities, Save the Children, US (SC/US) invited 12 leading NGOs in HIV/AIDS prevention to attend an information, education, and communication (IEC) workshop at the end of 1993 addressing the principles of materials development and how the groups could coordinate their activities and improve the quality of materials developed. The Nepal NGO HIV/AIDS IEC Coordination Committee resulted. 17 organizations now comprise the committee which has reviewed and commented upon 60 draft educational materials developed by member organizations and other NGOs working in more remote areas of the country. The committee has proved to be a good forum for improving materials development and distribution in Nepal and for providing technical assistance to the NGO community. NGO communication skills have increased markedly. The group has also facilitated the transfer of technical skills, coordination, and resource allocation.

Quality Management and Calibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merkus, Henk G.

Good specification of a product’s performance requires adequate characterization of relevant properties. Particulate products are usually characterized by some PSD, shape or porosity parameter(s). For proper characterization, adequate sampling, dispersion, and measurement procedures should be available or developed and skilful personnel should use appropriate, well-calibrated/qualified equipment. The characterization should be executed, in agreement with customers, in a wellorganized laboratory. All related aspects should be laid down in a quality handbook. The laboratory should provide proof for its capability to perform the characterization of stated products and/or reference materials within stated confidence limits. This can be done either by internal validation and audits or by external GLP accreditation.

All MBE grown InAs/GaAs quantum dot lasers on on-axis Si (001).

PubMed

Kwoen, Jinkwan; Jang, Bongyong; Lee, Joohang; Kageyama, Takeo; Watanabe, Katsuyuki; Arakawa, Yasuhiko

2018-04-30

Directly grown III-V quantum dot (QD) laser on on-axis Si (001) is a good candidate for achieving monolithically integrated Si photonics light source. Nowadays, laser structures containing high quality InAs / GaAs QD are generally grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). However, the buffer layer between the on-axis Si (001) substrate and the laser structure are usually grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). In this paper, we demonstrate all MBE grown high-quality InAs/GaAs QD lasers on on-axis Si (001) substrates without using patterning and intermediate layers of foreign material.

Consolidation quality and mechanical performance of stamp formed tailored blanks produced by rapid AFP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slange, T. K.; Warnet, L. L.; Grouve, W. J. B.; Akkerman, R.

2018-05-01

Stamp forming is a rapid manufacturing technology used to shape flat blanks of thermoplastic composite material into three-dimensional components. The combination with rapid AFP as blank manufacturing technology can further extend the applicability of stamp forming by allowing rapid lay-up of tailored blanks and offering partial preconsolidation. In an experimental study it is demonstrated that high quality laminates with good flexural strength can be obtained by following this process route. The consolidation of ply-drop regions is demonstrated by flat laminates with a thickness step. The influence of fiber orientations, blank-tooling misalignments and AFP tolerances is investigated.

Measurement of the infrared optical constants for spectral modeling: n and k values for (NH4)2SO4 via single-angle reflectance and ellipsometric methods

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

Blake, Thomas A.; Brauer, Carolyn S.; Kelly-Gorham, Molly Rose K.

The optical constants n and k can be used to model infrared spectra, including refraction, absorption, reflectance, and emissivity, but obtaining reliable values for solid materials (pure or otherwise) presents a challenge: In the past, the best results for n and k have been obtained from bulk, homogeneous materials, free of defects. That is, materials where the Fresnel equations are operant since there is no light scattering. Since it is often not possible to obtain a pure macroscopic (crystalline) material, it may be possible to press the material into a (uniform, void-free) disk. We have recently been able to domore » this with ammonium sulfate powder and then measured the n & k values via two independent methods: 1) Ellipsometry - which measures the changes in amplitude and phase of light reflected from the material of interest as a function of wavelength and angle of incidence, and 2) Single angle specular reflectance with an FT spectrometer using a specular reflectance device within an FT instrument which measures the change in amplitude of light reflected from the material of interest as a function of wavelength and angle of incidence over a wide wavelength range. The quality of the derived n & k values was tested by generating the reflectance spectra of the pellet and comparing to the calculated to measured reflectance spectra of the pure material which has been previously published. The comparison to literature values showed good accuracy and good agreement, indicating promise to measure other materials by such methods.« less

A feasible strategy to balance the crystallinity and specific surface area of metal oxide nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Q. P.; Xu, X. N.; Liu, Y. T.; Xu, M.; Deng, S. H.; Chen, Y.; Yuan, H.; Yu, F.; Huang, Y.; Zhao, K.; Xu, S.; Xiong, G.

2017-04-01

Practical, efficient synthesis of metal oxide nanocrystals with good crystallinity and high specific surface area by a modified polymer-network gel method is demonstrated, taking ZnO nanocrystals as an example. A novel stepwise heat treatment yields significant improvement in crystal quality. Such nanophase materials can effectively degrade common organic dyes under solar radiation and can perform very well in photo-assisted detection of NO2 gas. Other typical metal oxide nanocrystals with good crystallinity and high specific surface area were also synthesized successfully under similar conditions. This work provides a general strategy for the synthesis of metal oxide nanocrystals, balancing the crystallinity and specific surface area.

Comparison of photoemission characteristics between square and circular wire array GaAs photocathodes.

PubMed

Deng, Wenjuan; Peng, Xincun; Zou, Jijun; Wang, Weilu; Liu, Yun; Zhang, Tao; Zhang, Yijun; Zhang, Daoli

2017-11-10

Two types of negative electron affinity gallium arsenide (GaAs) wire array photocathodes were fabricated by reactive ion etching and inductively coupled plasma etching of bulk GaAs material. High density GaAs wire arrays with high periodicity and good morphology were verified using scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectra confirmed the wire arrays had good crystalline quality. Reflection spectra showed that circular GaAs wire arrays had superior light trapping compared with square ones. However, after Cs/O activation, the square GaAs wire array photocathodes showed enhanced spectral response. The integral sensitivity of the square wire array photocathodes was approximately 2.8 times that of the circular arrays.

Introducing computer-assisted training sessions in the clinical skills lab at the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University.

PubMed

Hosny, Somaya; Mishriky, Adel M; Youssef, Mirella

2008-01-01

The Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University clinical skills lab was established in 1981 as the first skills lab in Egypt to cope with innovation in medical education adopted since school inauguration in 1978. Students are trained using their peers or models. Training is done weekly, guided by checklists tested for validity and reliability and updated regularly. Students receive immediate feedback on their performance. Recently, the number of students has increased, leading to challenges in providing adequate supervision and training experiences. A project to design and implement a computer-assisted training (CAT) system seemed to be a plausible solution. To assess the quality of a newly developed CAT product, faculty and students' satisfaction with it, and its impact on the learning process. The project involved preparation of multimedia video-films with a web interface for links of different scientific materials. The project was implemented on second year students. A quality check was done to assess the product's scientific content, and technical quality using questionnaires filled by 84 faculty members (139 filled forms) and 175 students (924 filled forms). For assessment of impact, results of examinations after project implementation were compared with results of 2nd year students of previous 3 years. More faculty (96.3%) were satisfied with the product and considered its quality good to excellent, compared to 93.9% of students, p < 0.001. Most faculty (76.2%) have agreed on its suitability for self-learning, while most students considered the product would be suitable after modification. The percentage of students' failures was lower after project implementation, compared to previous 3 years, p < 0.05. CAT materials developed for training of second year students in skills lab proved to be of good scientific content and quality, and suitable for self-learning. Their use was associated with lower failure rates among students. A randomized trial is recommended to ascertain the effectiveness of its application.

Rapid preparation of lecture slides.

PubMed

Persson, A V; Frusha, J D; Chevalier, R J

1985-02-01

When lecture slides must be prepared at a moment's notice, these methods of rapid preparation will allow you to create good quality slides. Although rush jobs are usually associated with higher costs, using these methods will keep the price per slide to a minimum. An investment must be made for the initial equipment, but the cost per slide is much less than that of slides produced by the standard methods. Type produced by typewriters or computer printers is adequate for most slides, but better slides can be produced with KroyType or Letraset letters. The KL film is preferred for reverse slides of text or line drawings, and the RPC film for production of radiographic slides. If an X-omat developer is not available, Polaroid film is a good alternative for rapid production of slides. The KL reverse slide projects best and can be colored, but RPC film produces a good positive slide of typed material. We have also photographed from a computer terminal screen using the KL film to make positive slides, the Polaroid continuous tone film for reverse slides, and Polaroid color film for color slides of material composed on a computer terminal with multicolor and graphics capabilities.

[Quality of the structured abstracts presented at a congress].

PubMed

dos Santos, Edilson F; Pereira, Maurício G

2007-01-01

To assess and compare quality of abstracts presented at a medical congress (XIV Congresso da Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia, November, 2005). The hypothesis is that material of better quality is chosen for oral presentation. All the 63 abstracts selected for oral presentation were compared with a random sample (n=63) of the 664 abstracts registered as poster presentations. Quality was measured by a structured questionnaire comprised of 33 criteria, distributed in eight categories: purpose, research design, setting, subjects, intervention, measurement, results and conclusions. The questionnaire was applied by one of the authors who were not blind to the objective of the study. The final score could range from 0 (bad) to 1 (excellent). Abstracts quality was considered moderately good. The overall mean quality scores were 0.60 and 0.62 respectively, for poster and oral presentation (p = 0.086). The criteria rated poorly were: subjects, variable measurements, location and conclusion. The tested hypothesis of better quality in abstracts selected for oral presentation has not been confirmed. It is recommended that organizers of the congresses the use of objective quality criteria to select the form of presentation while improving on quality.

The Implementation of "The n-term" Formula to Improve Student Ability in Determining the Rules of a Numeric Sequence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

In'am, Akhsanul; Hajar, Siti

2013-01-01

A good-quality teacher may determines a good-quality learning, thus good-quality students will be the results. In order to have a good-quality learning, a lot of strategies and methods can be adopted. The objective of this research is to improve students' ability in determining the rules of a numeric sequence and analysing the effectiveness of the…

CNC Machining Of The Complex Copper Electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popan, Ioan Alexandru; Balc, Nicolae; Popan, Alina

2015-07-01

This paper presents the machining process of the complex copper electrodes. Machining of the complex shapes in copper is difficult because this material is soft and sticky. This research presents the main steps for processing those copper electrodes at a high dimensional accuracy and a good surface quality. Special tooling solutions are required for this machining process and optimal process parameters have been found for the accurate CNC equipment, using smart CAD/CAM software.

3D Printing Optical Engine for Controlling Material Microstructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Wei-Chin; Chang, Kuang-Po; Wu, Ping-Han; Wu, Chih-Hsien; Lin, Ching-Chih; Chuang, Chuan-Sheng; Lin, De-Yau; Liu, Sung-Ho; Horng, Ji-Bin; Tsau, Fang-Hei

Controlling the cooling rate of alloy during melting and resolidification is the most commonly used method for varying the material microstructure and consequently the resuling property. However, the cooling rate of a selective laser melting (SLM) production is restricted by a preset optimal parameter of a good dense product. The head room for locally manipulating material property in a process is marginal. In this study, we invent an Optical Engine for locally controlling material microstructure in a SLM process. It develops an invovative method to control and adjust thermal history of the solidification process to gain desired material microstucture and consequently drastically improving the quality. Process parameters selected locally for specific materials requirement according to designed characteristics by using thermal dynamic principles of solidification process. It utilize a technique of complex laser beam shape of adaptive irradiation profile to permit local control of material characteristics as desired. This technology could be useful for industrial application of medical implant, aerospace and automobile industries.

Testing and design life analysis of polyurea liner materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghasemi Motlagh, Siavash

Certainly, water pipes, as part of an underground infrastructure system, play a key role in maintaining quality of life, health, and wellbeing of human kind. As these potable water pipes reach the end of their useful life, they create high maintenance costs, loss of flow capacity, decreased water quality, and increased dissatisfaction. There are several different pipeline renewal techniques available for different applications, among which linings are most commonly used for the renewal of water pipes. Polyurea is a lining material applied to the interior surface of the deteriorated host pipe using spray-on technique. It is applied to structurally enhance the host pipe and provide a barrier coating against further corrosion or deterioration. The purpose of this study was to establish a relationship between stress, strain and time. The results obtained from these tests were used in predicting the strength of the polyurea material during its planned 50-year design life. In addition to this, based on the 10,000 hours experimental data, curve fitting and Findley power law models were employed to predict long-term behavior of the material. Experimental results indicated that the tested polyurea material offers a good balance of strength and stiffness and can be utilized in structural enhancement applications of potable water pipes.

Proton energy and scattering angle radiographs to improve proton treatment planning: a Monte Carlo study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biegun, A. K.; Takatsu, J.; Nakaji, T.; van Goethem, M. J.; van der Graaf, E. R.; Koffeman, E. N.; Visser, J.; Brandenburg, S.

2016-12-01

The novel proton radiography imaging technique has a large potential to be used in direct measurement of the proton energy loss (proton stopping power, PSP) in various tissues in the patient. The uncertainty of PSPs, currently obtained from translation of X-ray Computed Tomography (xCT) images, should be minimized from 3-5% or higher to less than 1%, to make the treatment plan with proton beams more accurate, and thereby better treatment for the patient. With Geant4 we simulated a proton radiography detection system with two position-sensitive and residual energy detectors. A complex phantom filled with various materials (including tissue surrogates), was placed between the position sensitive detectors. The phantom was irradiated with 150 MeV protons and the energy loss radiograph and scattering angles were studied. Protons passing through different materials in the phantom lose energy, which was used to create a radiography image of the phantom. The multiple Coulomb scattering of a proton traversing different materials causes blurring of the image. To improve image quality and material identification in the phantom, we selected protons with small scattering angles. A good quality proton radiography image, in which various materials can be recognized accurately, and in combination with xCT can lead to more accurate relative stopping powers predictions.

[Communicating with patients: how good are our pamphlets and other written materials? An evaluation of the quality of the written information available to patients with asthma and diabetes in out-patients' clinics in Milan].

PubMed

Moja, P L; Albanese, E; Centurione, E; Auxilia, F

2004-01-01

1) To identify the extent and the nature of information pamphlets available for asthmatic and diabetic patients in secondary care hospitals in Milan; 2) To investigate what patients think about the quality of pamphlets using a questionnaire developed ad hoc. Pamphlets have been identified by contacting 8 specialised ambulatory hospitals. The questionnaire was developed to achieve a quality rate in 3 dimensions of the materials (Style and readability, The condition and Treatment options). Patients were recluted in the same ambulatory hospital. 4 ambulatory hospitals and 40 patients agreed to participate in our survey. We identified 8 pamphlets (5 diabetes, 3 asthma). 6 of these have been promoted byfarmaceutical companies. The mean length was 31 pages and the issue most covered was treatment options (33% of pages dedicated). 30 pages (12% of the total) presented with publicity advertisements (6% direct and 6% indirect). The dimension with the best satisfaction rate was Condition, followed by Style and readability. In Milan, in secondary care asthmatic and diabetic patients, are often invited to consult pamphlets. They positively judged this material. During the study ambulatory physicians were poorly attentive about problems concerning patient access to information.

Composition and luminescence studies of InGaN epilayers grown at different hydrogen flow rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, E.; Fang, F.; Oehler, F.; Edwards, P. R.; Kappers, M. J.; Lorenz, K.; Alves, E.; McAleese, C.; Humphreys, C. J.; Martin, R. W.

2013-06-01

Indium gallium nitride (InxGa1 - xN) is a technologically important material for many optoelectronic devices, including LEDs and solar cells, but it remains a challenge to incorporate high levels of InN into the alloy while maintaining sample quality. A series of InGaN epilayers was grown with different hydrogen flow rates (0-200 sccm) and growth temperatures (680-750 °C) to obtain various InN fractions and bright emission in the range 390-480 nm. These 160-nm thick epilayers were characterized through several compositional techniques (wavelength dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry) and cathodoluminescence hyperspectral imaging. The compositional analysis with the different techniques shows good agreement when taking into account compositional gradients evidenced in these layers. The addition of small amounts of hydrogen to the gas flow at lower growth temperatures is shown to maintain a high surface quality and luminescence homogeneity. This allowed InN fractions of up to ˜16% to be incorporated with minimal peak energy variations over a mapped area while keeping a high material quality.

[The future of bedside chest radiography: Comparative study of mobile flat-panels and needle-image plate storage phosphor systems].

PubMed

Bremicker, K; Gosch, D; Kahn, T; Borte, G

2015-11-01

Chest radiography is the most common diagnostic modality in intensive care units with new mobile flat-panels gaining more attention and availability in addition to the already used storage phosphor plates. Comparison of the image quality of mobile flat-panels and needle-image plate storage phosphor system in terms of bedside chest radiography. Retrospective analysis of 84 bedside chest radiographs of 42 intensive care patients (20 women, 22 men, average age: 65 years). All images were acquired during daily routine. For each patient, two images were analyzed, one from each system mentioned above. Two blinded radiologists evaluated the image quality based on ten criteria (e.g., diaphragm, heart contour, tracheal bifurcation, thoracic spine, lung structure, consolidations, foreign material, and overall impression) using a 5-point visibility scale (1 = excellent, 5 = not usable). There was no significant difference between the image quality of the two systems (p < 0.05). Overall some anatomical structures such as the diaphragm, heart, pulmonary consolidations and foreign material were considered of higher diagnostic quality compared to others, e.g., tracheal bifurcation and thoracic spine. Mobile flat-panels achieve an image quality which is as good as those of needle-image plate storage phosphor systems. In addition, they allow immediate evaluation of the image quality but in return are much more expensive in terms of purchase and maintenance.

7 CFR 51.481 - Very good internal quality.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Very good internal quality. 51.481 Section 51.481 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Standards... quality. Very good internal quality means that the combined juice from the edible portion of a sample of...

Multispectral optical telescope alignment testing for a cryogenic space environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newswander, Trent; Hooser, Preston; Champagne, James

2016-09-01

Multispectral space telescopes with visible to long wave infrared spectral bands provide difficult alignment challenges. The visible channels require precision in alignment and stability to provide good image quality in short wavelengths. This is most often accomplished by choosing materials with near zero thermal expansion glass or ceramic mirrors metered with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) that are designed to have a matching thermal expansion. The IR channels are less sensitive to alignment but they often require cryogenic cooling for improved sensitivity with the reduced radiometric background. Finding efficient solutions to this difficult problem of maintaining good visible image quality at cryogenic temperatures has been explored with the building and testing of a telescope simulator. The telescope simulator is an onaxis ZERODUR® mirror, CFRP metered set of optics. Testing has been completed to accurately measure telescope optical element alignment and mirror figure changes in a cryogenic space simulated environment. Measured alignment error and mirror figure error test results are reported with a discussion of their impact on system optical performance.

Continuous immobilized yeast reactor system for complete beer fermentation using spent grains and corncobs as carrier materials.

PubMed

Brányik, Tomás; Silva, Daniel P; Vicente, António A; Lehnert, Radek; e Silva, João B Almeida; Dostálek, Pavel; Teixeira, José A

2006-12-01

Despite extensive research carried out in the last few decades, continuous beer fermentation has not yet managed to outperform the traditional batch technology. An industrial breakthrough in favour of continuous brewing using immobilized yeast could be expected only on achievement of the following process characteristics: simple design, low investment costs, flexible operation, effective process control and good product quality. The application of cheap carrier materials of by-product origin could significantly lower the investment costs of continuous fermentation systems. This work deals with a complete continuous beer fermentation system consisting of a main fermentation reactor (gas-lift) and a maturation reactor (packed-bed) containing yeast immobilized on spent grains and corncobs, respectively. The suitability of cheap carrier materials for long-term continuous brewing was proved. It was found that by fine tuning of process parameters (residence time, aeration) it was possible to adjust the flavour profile of the final product. Consumers considered the continuously fermented beer to be of a regular quality. Analytical and sensorial profiles of both continuously and batch fermented beers were compared.

41 CFR 101-25.103-4 - Disposition of promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 101-25.103-4 Section 101-25.103-4 Public Contracts and... materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. (a) Agencies shall, through the lowest appropriate activity, arrange for transfer of promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods, without reimbursement in...

41 CFR 101-25.103-4 - Disposition of promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 101-25.103-4 Section 101-25.103-4 Public Contracts and... materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. (a) Agencies shall, through the lowest appropriate activity, arrange for transfer of promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods, without reimbursement in...

41 CFR 101-25.103-4 - Disposition of promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 101-25.103-4 Section 101-25.103-4 Public Contracts and... materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. (a) Agencies shall, through the lowest appropriate activity, arrange for transfer of promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods, without reimbursement in...

41 CFR 101-25.103-4 - Disposition of promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 101-25.103-4 Section 101-25.103-4 Public Contracts and... materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. (a) Agencies shall, through the lowest appropriate activity, arrange for transfer of promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods, without reimbursement in...

41 CFR 101-25.103-4 - Disposition of promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 101-25.103-4 Section 101-25.103-4 Public Contracts and... materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. (a) Agencies shall, through the lowest appropriate activity, arrange for transfer of promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods, without reimbursement in...

Medical journals of Nigeria, quo vadis?

PubMed

Eke, N; Nkanginieme, K E O

2002-01-01

The Nigerian health sector is beset with an underdeveloped Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme, a scarcity of reading materials and the lack of a reading culture. Recent issues of available journals were obtained and read to identify data such as: the ownership and base, presence of mission statement, print quality, administrative and editorial matters, abstract format, CME value of articles, advertisements, subscription information and communication channels and practice. The availability of the journals in the libraries of the three 'first generation' teaching hospitals and accessibility through the Medline were ascertained. Twenty-eight current journals were obtained. Lagos has the highest number of editorial bases. Fifteen journals belong to national medical associations, 2 to regions and 11 to institutions. The journal title was considered appropriate in 13, cover design was good in 15, paper quality was good in 20 and legibility was good in 11 journals. Poor editing was manifested by bad grammar, spelling and punctuation. Six journals contained review articles of good CME value. Eight journals had a full compliment of communication facilities. The existence of a functional independent administrative office or staff was indicated in 7 journals. No journal indicated the dates of submission and acceptance of articles. Twenty-one journals were on the shelf of the library of ABUTH, Zaria. Two journals are accessible through the Medline and another is on-line. Adequate funding and improved management will effectively address most of the problems identified.

Understanding biomaterial-tissue interface quality: combined in vitro evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasik, Michael

2017-12-01

One of the greatest challenges in the development of new medical products and devices remains in providing maximal patient safety, efficacy and suitability for the purpose. A 'good quality' of the tissue-implant interface is one of the most critical factors for the success of the implant integration. In this paper this challenge is being discussed from the point of view of basic stimuli combination to experimental testing. The focus is in particular on bacterial effects on tissue-implant interaction (for different materials). The demonstration of the experimental evaluation of the tissue-implant interface is for dental abutment with mucosal contact. This shows that testing of the interface quality could be the most relevant in controlled conditions, which mimic as possible the clinical applications, but consider variables being under the control of the evaluator.

Evaluation of the quality of patient information to support informed shared decision-making.

PubMed

Godolphin, W; Towle, A; McKendry, R

2001-12-01

(a) To find out how much patient information material on display in family physicians' offices refers to management choices, and hence may be useful to support informed and shared decision-making (ISDM) by patients and (b) to evaluate the quality of print information materials exchanged during the consultation, i.e. brought in by patients or given out by family physicians. All print information available for patients and exchanged between physicians and patients was collected in a single complete day of the office practices of 21 family physicians. A published and validated instrument (DISCERN) was used to assess quality. Community office practices in the greater Vancouver area, British Columbia, Canada. The physicians were purposefully recruited by their association with the medical school Department of Family Practice, their interest in providing patients with print information and their representation of a range of practice types and location. The source of the pamphlets and these categories: available in the physicians' offices; exchanged between physician and patient; and produced with the explicit or apparent intent to support evidence-based patient choice. The quality of the print information to support ISDM, as measured by DISCERN and the ease of use and reliability of the DISCERN tool. Fewer than 50% of pamphlets available in these offices fulfilled our minimum criteria for ISDM (mentioned more than one management option). Offices varied widely in the proportion of pamphlets on display that supported ISDM and how particular the physician was in selecting materials. The DISCERN tool is quick, valid and reliable for the evaluation of patient information. The quality of patient information materials used in the consultation and available in these offices was below midpoint on the DISCERN score. Major deficiencies were with respect to the mention of choices, risks, effect of no treatment or uncertainty and reliability (source, evidence-base). Good quality information can be produced; some is available locally.

Evaluation of the quality of patient information to support informed shared decision‐making

PubMed Central

Godolphin, William; Towle, Angela; McKendry, Rachael

2008-01-01

Objectives (a) To find out how much patient information material on display in family physicians’ offices refers to management choices, and hence may be useful to support informed and shared decision‐making (ISDM) by patients and (b) to evaluate the quality of print information materials exchanged during the consultation, i.e. brought in by patients or given out by family physicians. Design All print information available for patients and exchanged between physicians and patients was collected in a single complete day of the office practices of 21 family physicians. A published and validated instrument (DISCERN) was used to assess quality. Setting and participants Community office practices in the greater Vancouver area, British Columbia, Canada. The physicians were purposefully recruited by their association with the medical school Department of Family Practice, their interest in providing patients with print information and their representation of a range of practice types and location. Main variables studied The source of the pamphlets and these categories: available in the physicians’ offices; exchanged between physician and patient; and produced with the explicit or apparent intent to support evidence‐based patient choice. Main outcome measures The quality of the print information to support ISDM, as measured by DISCERN and the ease of use and reliability of the DISCERN tool. Results and conclusions Fewer than 50% of pamphlets available in these offices fulfilled our minimum criteria for ISDM (mentioned more than one management option). Offices varied widely in the proportion of pamphlets on display that supported ISDM and how particular the physician was in selecting materials. The DISCERN tool is quick, valid and reliable for the evaluation of patient information. The quality of patient information materials used in the consultation and available in these offices was below midpoint on the DISCERN score. Major deficiencies were with respect to the mention of choices, risks, effect of no treatment or uncertainty and reliability (source, evidence‐base). Good quality information can be produced; some is available locally. PMID:11703497

Structure, spectroscopic properties and laser performance of Nd:YNbO4 at 1066 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Shoujun; Peng, Fang; Zhang, Qingli; Luo, Jianqiao; Liu, Wenpeng; Sun, Dunlu; Dou, Renqin; Sun, Guihua

2016-12-01

We have demonstrated continuous wave (CW) laser operation of Nd:YNbO4 crystal at 1066 nm for the first time. A maximum output power of 1.12 W with the incident power of 5.0 W is successfully achieved corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 22.4% and a slope efficiency of 24.0%. The large absorption cross section (8.7 × 10-20 cm2) and wide absorption band (6 nm) at around 808 nm indicates the good pumping efficiency by laser diodes (LD). The small emission cross section (29 × 10-20 cm2) and relative long lifetime of the 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 transition indicates good energy storage capacity of Nd:YNbO4. Moreover, the raw materials of Nd:YNbO4 are stable, thus, it can grow high-quality and large-size by Czochralski (CZ) method. Therefore the Nd:YNbO4 crystal is a potentially new laser material suitable for LD pumping.

Growth and characterization of barium complex of 1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione in gel: a corrosion inhibiting material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Divya, R.; Nair, Lekshmi P.; Bijini, B. R.; Nair, C. M. K.; Babu, K. Rajendra

2018-05-01

Good quality prismatic crystals of industrially applicable corrosion inhibiting barium complex of 1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione have been grown by conventional gel method. The crystal structure, packing, and nature of bonds are revealed in the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal has a three-dimensional polymeric structure having a triclinic crystal system with the space group P-1. The powder X-ray diffraction analysis confirms its crystalline nature. The functional groups present in the crystal are identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Elemental analysis confirms the stoichiometry of the elements present in the complex. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis reveal its good thermal stability. The optical properties like band gap, refractive index and extinction coefficient are evaluated from the UV-visible spectral analysis. The singular property of the material, corrosion inhibition efficiency achieved by the adsorption of the sample molecules is determined by the weight loss method.

Safety and quality of food contact materials. Part 1: evaluation of analytical strategies to introduce migration testing into good manufacturing practice.

PubMed

Feigenbaum, A; Scholler, D; Bouquant, J; Brigot, G; Ferrier, D; Franzl, R; Lillemarktt, L; Riquet, A M; Petersen, J H; van Lierop, B; Yagoubi, N

2002-02-01

The results of a research project (EU AIR Research Programme CT94-1025) aimed to introduce control of migration into good manufacturing practice and into enforcement work are reported. Representative polymer classes were defined on the basis of chemical structure, technological function, migration behaviour and market share. These classes were characterized by analytical methods. Analytical techniques were investigated for identification of potential migrants. High-temperature gas chromatography was shown to be a powerful method and 1H-magnetic resonance provided a convenient fingerprint of plastic materials. Volatile compounds were characterized by headspace techniques, where it was shown to be essential to differentiate volatile compounds desorbed from those generated during the thermal desorption itself. For metal trace analysis, microwave mineralization followed by atomic absorption was employed. These different techniques were introduced into a systematic testing scheme that is envisaged as being suitable both for industrial control and for enforcement laboratories. Guidelines will be proposed in the second part of this paper.

Qualities of a psychiatric mentor: a quantitative Singaporean survey.

PubMed

Tor, Phern-Chern; Goh, Lee-Gan; Ang, Yong-Guan; Lim, Leslie; Winslow, Rasaiah-Munidasa; Ng, Beng-Yeong; Wong, Sze-Tai; Ng, Tse-Pin; Kia, Ee-Heok

2011-11-01

Psychiatric mentors are an important part of the new, seamless training program in Singapore. There is a need to assess the qualities of a good psychiatric mentor vis-à-vis those of a good psychiatrist. An anonymous survey was sent out to all psychiatry trainees and psychiatrists in Singapore to assess quantitatively the relative importance of 40 qualities for a good psychiatrist and a good mentor. The response rate was 48.7% (74/152). Factor analysis showed four themes among the qualities assessed (professional, personal values, relationship, academic-executive). A good mentor is defined by professional, relationship, and personal-values qualities. Mentors have significantly higher scores than psychiatrists for two themes (relationship and academic-executive). Being a good mentor, in Asia, means being a good psychiatrist first and foremost but also requires additional relationship and academic-executive skills. Mentors should be formally trained in these additional skills that were not part of the psychiatric curriculum.

Evaluation of educational content of YouTube videos relating to neurogenic bladder and intermittent catheterization

PubMed Central

Ho, Matthew; Stothers, Lynn; Lazare, Darren; Tsang, Brian; Macnab, Andrew

2015-01-01

Introduction: Many patients conduct internet searches to manage their own health problems, to decide if they need professional help, and to corroborate information given in a clinical encounter. Good information can improve patients’ understanding of their condition and their self-efficacy. Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) featuring neurogenic bladder (NB) require knowledge and skills related to their condition and need for intermittent catheterization (IC). Methods: Information quality was evaluated in videos accessed via YouTube relating to NB and IC using search terms “neurogenic bladder intermittent catheter” and “spinal cord injury intermittent catheter.” Video content was independently rated by 3 investigators using criteria based on European Urological Association (EAU) guidelines and established clinical practice. Results: In total, 71 videos met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 12 (17%) addressed IC and 50 (70%) contained information on NB. The remaining videos met inclusion criteria, but did not contain information relevant to either IC or NB. Analysis indicated poor overall quality of information, with some videos with information contradictory to EAU guidelines for IC. High-quality videos were randomly distributed by YouTube. IC videos featuring a healthcare narrator scored significantly higher than patient-narrated videos, but not higher than videos with a merchant narrator. About half of the videos contained commercial content. Conclusions: Some good-quality educational videos about NB and IC are available on YouTube, but most are poor. The videos deemed good quality were not prominently ranked by the YouTube search algorithm, consequently user access is less likely. Study limitations include the limit of 50 videos per category and the use of a de novo rating tool. Information quality in videos with healthcare narrators was not higher than in those featuring merchant narrators. Better material is required to improve patients’ understanding of their condition. PMID:26644803

Non-Ge optics and low-cost electronics designs for LIR imagers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Evan; Song, Vivian W.; Zhang, James S.; Yang, Cunwu

2003-01-01

Until today, almost all objective lenses and windows of LIR imagers use crystal Germanium (Ge) as the optical material. Germanium is heavy, expensive and very sensitive to the environmental temperature change. When the temperature rises above 120° C, the lens becomes opaque. It is necessary to overcome these shortcomings. Using the analytic universal skew ray tracing formula and the automatic optical system design software developed by us, we successfully designed a 150mm/F1 objective lens using Ge and non-Ge materials for the LIR imager of the missile seeker and airborne surveillance. We also successfully designed a 25mm/F1 objective lens with large FOV of 30°x40° using only non-Ge materials for the LIR imager of the helmet mounted search and rescue system. Good image quality is obtained. The cost is less than half of the Ge lens and the high temperature resistance is much better. In order to increase the S/N ratio 4 times for the low-sensitivity UFPA, an immersed Ge lens for the UFPA is also successfully designed. Currently, most of UFPAs use high-cost Digital Signal Processing (DSP) module. The LIR imager needs at least two circuit boards. We present a design that uses low-cost Altera processor and the imager only needs one board without Thermal Electrical Cooler (TEC). Therefore, three "AA" batteries can operate the imager for more than 4 hours. By inserting data between pixels and enhance the contrast, the image from the 120x120/50μ UFPA is even better than the image from the 240x320/50μ array. This gives us an opportunity to reduce the imager cost to 2/3 of the larger format without degrading the image quality. These innovative researches give us a chance to build a small, lightweight, inexpensive, and good image quality LIR imager for homeland security and many other military and commercial applications. Two patents were pending and one was granted.

LEC GaAs for integrated circuit applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kirkpatrick, C. G.; Chen, R. T.; Homes, D. E.; Asbeck, P. M.; Elliott, K. R.; Fairman, R. D.; Oliver, J. D.

1984-01-01

Recent developments in liquid encapsulated Czochralski techniques for the growth of semiinsulating GaAs for integrated circuit applications have resulted in significant improvements in the quality and quantity of GaAs material suitable for device processing. The emergence of high performance GaAs integrated circuit technologies has accelerated the demand for high quality, large diameter semiinsulating GaAs substrates. The new device technologies, including digital integrated circuits, monolithic microwave integrated circuits and charge coupled devices have largely adopted direct ion implantation for the formation of doped layers. Ion implantation lends itself to good uniformity and reproducibility, high yield and low cost; however, this technique also places stringent demands on the quality of the semiinsulating GaAs substrates. Although significant progress was made in developing a viable planar ion implantation technology, the variability and poor quality of GaAs substrates have hindered progress in process development.

Acoustic Quality Levels of Mosques in Batu Pahat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azizah Adnan, Nor; Nafida Raja Shahminan, Raja; Khair Ibrahim, Fawazul; Tami, Hannifah; Yusuff, M. Rizal M.; Murniwaty Samsudin, Emedya; Ismail, Isham

2018-04-01

Every Friday, Muslims has been required to perform a special prayer known as the Friday prayers which involve the delivery of a brief lecture (Khutbah). Speech intelligibility in oral communications presented by the preacher affected all the congregation and determined the level of acoustic quality in the interior of the mosque. Therefore, this study intended to assess the level of acoustic quality of three public mosques in Batu Pahat. Good acoustic quality is essential in contributing towards appreciation in prayers and increasing khusyu’ during the worship, which is closely related to the speech intelligibility corresponding to the actual function of the mosque according to Islam. Acoustic parameters measured includes noise criteria (NC), reverberation time (RT) and speech transmission index (STI), and was performed using the sound level meter and sound measurement instruments. This test is carried out through the physical observation with the consideration of space and volume design as a factor affecting acoustic parameters. Results from all 3 mosques as the showed that the acoustic quality level inside these buildings are slightly poor which is at below 0.45 coefficients based on the standard. Among the factors that influencing the low acoustical quality are location, building materials, installation of sound absorption material and the number of occupants inside the mosque. As conclusion, the acoustic quality level of a mosque is highly depends on physical factors of the mosque such as the architectural design and space volume besides other factors as been identified by this study.

Mask-free, vacuum-free fabrication of high-conductivity metallic nanowire by spatially shaped ultrafast laser (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Andong; Li, Xiaowei; Qu, Lianti; Lu, Yongfeng; Jiang, Lan

2017-03-01

Metal nanowire fabrication has drawn tremendous attention in recent years due to its wide application in electronics, optoelectronics, and plasmonics. However, conventional laser fabrication technologies are limited by diffraction limit thus the fabrication resolution cannot meet the increasingly high demand of modern devices. Herein we report on a novel method for high-resolution high-quality metal nanowire fabrication by using Hermite-Gaussian beam to ablate metal thin film. The nanowire is formed due to the intensity valley in the center of the laser beam while the surrounding film is ablated. Arbitrary nanowire can be generated on the substrate by dynamically adjusting the orientation of the intensity valley. This method shows obvious advantages compared to conventional methods. First, the minimum nanowire has a width of 60 nm (≍1/13 of the laser wavelength), which is much smaller than the diffraction limit. The high resolution is achieved by combining the ultrashort nature of the femtosecond laser and the low thermal conductivity of the thin film. In addition, the fabricated nanowires have good inside qualities. No inner nanopores and particle intervals are generated inside the nanowire, thus endowing the nanowire with good electronic characteristics: the conductivity of the nanowires is as high as 1.2×107 S/m (≍1/4 of buck material), and the maximum current density is up to 1.66×108 A/m2. Last, the nanowire has a good adhesion to the substrates, which can withstand ultrasonic bath for a long time. These advantages make our method a good approach for high-resolution high-quality nanowire fabrication as a complementary method to conventional lithography methods.

Dosimetric evaluation of Plastic Water Diagnostic-Therapy.

PubMed

Ramaseshan, Ramani; Kohli, Kirpal; Cao, Fred; Heaton, Robert K

2008-04-29

High-precision radiotherapy planning and quality assurance require accurate dosimetric and geometric phantom measurements. Phantom design requires materials with mechanical strength and resilience, and dosimetric properties close to those of water over diagnostic and therapeutic ranges. Plastic Water Diagnostic Therapy (PWDT: CIRS, Norfolk, VA) is a phantom material designed for water equivalence in photon beams from 0.04 MeV to 100 MeV; the material has also good mechanical properties. The present article reports the results of computed tomography (CT) imaging and dosimetric studies of PWDT to evaluate the suitability of the material in CT and therapy energy ranges. We characterized the water equivalence of PWDT in a series of experiments in which the basic dosimetric properties of the material were determined for photon energies of 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 250 kVp, 4 MV, 6 MV, 10 MV, and 18 MV. Measured properties included the buildup and percentage depth dose curves for several field sizes, and relative dose factors as a function of field size. In addition, the PWDT phantom underwent CT imaging at beam qualities ranging from 80 kVp to 140 kVp to determine the water equivalence of the phantom in the diagnostic energy range. The dosimetric quantities measured with PWDT agreed within 1.5% of those determined in water and Solid Water (Gammex rmi, Middleton, WI). Computed tomography imaging of the phantom was found to generate Hounsfield numbers within 0.8% of those generated using water. The results suggest that PWDT material is suitable both for regular radiotherapy quality assurance measurements and for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) verification work. Sample IMRT verification results are presented.

3D simulation of friction stir welding based on movable cellular automaton method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eremina, Galina M.

2017-12-01

The paper is devoted to a 3D computer simulation of the peculiarities of material flow taking place in friction stir welding (FSW). The simulation was performed by the movable cellular automaton (MCA) method, which is a representative of particle methods in mechanics. Commonly, the flow of material in FSW is simulated based on computational fluid mechanics, assuming the material as continuum and ignoring its structure. The MCA method considers a material as an ensemble of bonded particles. The rupture of interparticle bonds and the formation of new bonds enable simulations of crack nucleation and healing as well as mas mixing and microwelding. The simulation results showed that using pins of simple shape (cylinder, cone, and pyramid) without a shoulder results in small displacements of plasticized material in workpiece thickness directions. Nevertheless, the optimal ratio of longitudinal velocity to rotational speed makes it possible to transport the welded material around the pin several times and to produce a joint of good quality.

A quality assessment of cardiac auscultation material on YouTube.

PubMed

Camm, Christian F; Sunderland, Nicholas; Camm, A John

2013-02-01

YouTube is a highly utilized Web site that contains a large amount of medical educational material. Although some studies have assessed the education material contained on the Web site, little analysis of cardiology content has been made. This study aimed to assess the quality of videos relating to heart sounds and murmurs contained on YouTube. We hypothesized that the quality of video files purporting to provide education on heart auscultation would be highly variable. Videos were searched for using the terms "heart sounds," "heart murmur," and "heart auscultation." A built-in educational filter was employed, and manual rejection of non-English language and nonrelated videos was undertaken. Remaining videos were analyzed for content, and suitable videos were scored using a purpose-built tool. YouTube search located 3350 videos in total, and of these, 22 were considered suitable for scoring. The average score was 4.07 out of 7 (standard deviation, 1.35). Six videos scored 5.5 or greater and 5 videos scoring 2.5 or less. There was no correlation between video score and YouTube indices of preference (hits, likes, dislikes, or search page). The quality of videos found in this study was highly variable. YouTube indications of preference were of no value in determining the value of video content. Therefore, teaching institutions or professional societies should endeavor to identify and highlight good online teaching resources. YouTube contains many videos relating to cardiac auscultation, but very few are valuable education resources. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Study of bulk Hafnium oxide (HfO2) under compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pathak, Santanu; Mandal, Guruprasad; Das, Parnika

2018-04-01

Hafnium oxide (HfO2) is a technologically important material. This material has K-value of 25 and band gap 5.8 eV. A k value of 25-30 is preferred for a gate dielectric [1]. As it shows good insulating and capacitive properties, HfO2 is being considered as a replacement to SiO2 in microelectronic devices as gate dielectrics. On the other hand because of toughening mechanism due to phase transformation induced by stress field observed in these oxides, HFO2 has been a material of investigations in various configurations for a very long time. However the controversies about phase transition of HfO2 under pressure still exists. High quality synchrotron radiation has been used to study the structural phase transition of HfO2 under pressure.

Furniture Rack Corrosion Coupon Surveillance - 2012 Update

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

Mickalonis, J. I.; Murphy, T. R.; Berry, C. J.

Under the L Basin corrosion surveillance program furniture rack coupons immersed for 14 years (FY2009 coupons) and 16 years (FY2011 coupons) were analyzed and the results trended with coupons exposed for shorter times. In addition, a section harvested from an actual furniture rack that was immersed for 14 years was analyzed for pitting in the weld and heat-affected-zone (HAZ) regions. The L Basin operations maintained very good water quality over the entire immersion period for these samples. These results for FY2009 and FY2011 coupons showed that the average pit depths for the 6061 and 6063 base metal are 1 andmore » 2 mils, respectively, while those for the weld and HAZ are 3 and 4 mils, respectively. The results for the weld and HAZ regions are similar to coupons removed during the period of FY2003 to FY2007. These similarities indicate that the pit development occurred quickly followed by slow kinetics of increase in pit depth. For the actual furniture rack sample average pits of 5 and 2 mils were measured for the HAZ and weld, respectively. These results demonstrate that pitting corrosion of the aluminum furniture racks used to support the spent fuel occurs in waters of good quality. The corrosion kinetics or pit depth growth rate is much less that 1 mil/year, and would not impact long-term use of this material system for fuel storage racks in L Basin if good water quality is maintained.« less

Aspects of fabrication aluminium matrix heterophase composites by suspension method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dolata, A. J.; Dyzia, M.

2012-05-01

Composites with an aluminium alloy matrix (AlMMC) exhibit several advantageous properties such as good strength, stiffness, low density, resistance and dimensional stability to elevated temperatures, good thermal expansion coefficient and particularly high resistance to friction wear. Therefore such composites are more and more used in modern engineering constructions. Composites reinforced with hard ceramic particles (Al2O3, SiC) are gradually being implemented into production in automotive or aircraft industries. Another application of AlMMC is in the electronics industry, where the dimensional stability and capacity to absorb and remove heat is used in radiators. However the main problems are still: a reduction of production costs, developing methods of composite material tests and final product quality assessment, standardisation, development of recycling and mechanical processing methods. AlMMC production technologies, based on liquid-phase methods, and the shaping of products by casting methods, belong to the cheapest production methods. Application of a suspension method for the production of composites with heterophase reinforcement may turn out to be a new material and technological solution. The article presents the material and technological aspects of the transfer procedures for the production of composite suspensions from laboratory scale to a semi-industrial scale.

Is cryopreservation of embryos a legitimate surrogate marker of embryo quality in studies of assisted reproductive technology conducted using national databases?

PubMed

Stern, Judy E; Lieberman, Ellice S; Macaluso, Maurizio; Racowsky, Catherine

2012-04-01

To investigate whether cryopreservation of supernumerary embryos is a good surrogate for embryo quality. Retrospective study of 6,859 assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles from women aged <35 years with two fresh day 3 embryos transferred. National Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System data from 2006-2008. Women undergoing ART. None. Embryo quality (good, fair, or poor), cell number, and live births were compared for cycles with and without cryopreservation, using χ(2) to evaluate statistical significance. The association of freezing with embryo quality was examined using multiple logistic regression after adjusting for confounders (patient age, oocyte yield, intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI], assisted hatching, male factor infertility). Cycles with cryopreservation were more likely to have two embryos of good quality transferred (81.3% vs. 48.5%) and had more 8-cell embryos transferred (76.0% vs. 50.1%). Relative to cycles with two good embryos (good-good), the adjusted odds ratios (OR) for cryopreservation were: good-fair (OR = 0.301, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.257-0.354), fair-fair (OR = 0.308, 95% CI = 0.258-0.367), and any poor (OR = 0.058, 95% CI = 0.040-0.083). The live birth rate was 52.4% for cycles with freezing and 40.6% for cycles without. Embryo quality and cell number were both associated with embryo cryopreservation. However, although cryopreservation was a strong marker for good quality, not having cryopreservation did not reliably indicate poor quality, as almost half of those cycles had two good quality embryos. Copyright © 2012 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Residual Gases in Crystal Growth Systems: Their Origin, Magnitude, and Dependence on the Processing Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palosz, W.

2003-01-01

Residual gases present in closed ampoules may affect different crystal growth processes. Their presence may affect techniques requiring low pressures and affect the crystal quality in different ways. For that reason a good understanding and control of formation of residual gases may be important for an optimum design and meaningful interpretation of crystal growth experiments. Our extensive experimental and theoretical study includes degassing of silica glass and generation of gases from various source materials. Different materials processing conditions, like outgassing under vacuum, annealing in hydrogen, resublimation, different material preparation procedures, multiple annealings, different processing times, and others were applied and their effect on the amount and composition of gas were analyzed. The experimental results were interpreted based on theoretical calculations on diffusion in silica glass and source materials and thermochemistry of the system. Procedures for a reduction of the amount of gas are also discussed.

The development and certification of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) to assess and ensure accurate measurement of Pb in the environment.

PubMed

Fassett, J D; MacDonald, B S

2001-08-01

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has had a major quality-assurance role in the federal effort to reduce lead poisoning of children in the United States through its mission of ensuring the accuracy of chemical measurements. NIST certifies reference materials (standard reference materials--SRMs) that are used to benchmark measurements by secondary and field methods of analysis--to ensure that decisions of great health and economic impact are soundly based on good measurement science. Over the past 10 years, in cooperation with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), NIST has prepared and certified SRMs for lead content in soil, indoor dust, and paint. The role of these materials in meeting regulatory and abatement needs is described and their certified values are summarized.

Coherent pulse and environmental characteristics of the intramolecular proton-transfer lasers based on 3-hydroxyflavone and fisetin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parthenopoulos, Dimitri A.; Kasha, Michael

1988-04-01

Coherent stimulated emission and laser beams of good quality are reported for 3-hydroxyfiavone (3-HF) and a polyhydroxyfiavone, risetin, acting as intramolecular proton-transfer lasers. The laser beam quality of these materials is comparable to that observed for rhodamine-6G. Studies of amplified spontaneous emission of 3-hydroxyflavone in highly polar solvents are also reported. The very large changes in dipole moment upon electronic excitation of 3-HF expected according to ZINDO semiempirical molecular orbital calculations fail to give rise to spectral shifts in the high dielectric constant solvents. The results are interpreted as a masking spectral effect caused by specific hydrogen bonding by the solvent.

Design, analysis, and testing of a metal matrix composite web/flange intersection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biggers, S. B.; Knight, N. F., Jr.; Moran, S. G.; Olliffe, R.

1992-01-01

An experimental and analytical program to study the local design details of a typical T-shaped web/flange intersection made from a metal matrix composite is described. Loads creating flange bending were applied to specimens having different designs and boundary conditions. Finite element analyses were conducted on models of the test specimens to predict the structural response. The analyses correctly predict failure load, mode, and location in the fillet material in the intersection region of the web and the flange when specimen quality is good. The test program shows the importance of fabrication quality in the intersection region. The full-scale test program that led to the investigation of this local detail is also described.

1.3 μm wavelength vertical cavity surface emitting laser fabricated by orientation-mismatched wafer bonding: A prospect for polarization control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okuno, Yae L.; Geske, Jon; Gan, Kian-Giap; Chiu, Yi-Jen; DenBaars, Steven P.; Bowers, John E.

2003-04-01

We propose and demonstrate a long-wavelength vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) which consists of a (311)B InP-based active region and (100) GaAs-based distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs), with an aim to control the in-plane polarization of output power. Crystal growth on (311)B InP substrates was performed under low-migration conditions to achieve good crystalline quality. The VCSEL was fabricated by wafer bonding, which enables us to combine different materials regardless of their lattice and orientation mismatch without degrading their quality. The VCSEL was polarized with a power extinction ratio of 31 dB.

V/III ratio effects on high quality InAlAs for quantum cascade laser structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demir, Ilkay; Elagoz, Sezai

2017-04-01

In this study we report the V/III ratio effects on growth, structural, optical and doping characteristics of low growth rate (∼1 Å/s) heteroepitaxial Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) grown InxAl1-xAs layers, a part of Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) structures, on InP substrate. Especially photoluminescence (PL) properties of InAlAs-InP interface show strong dependence on AsH3 overpressure. We have shown that the V/III ratio with fixed metalorganic precursor flow is a crucial parameter on InxAl1-xAs layers to have a good material quality in terms of crystallinity, optical and electrical characteristics with and without doping.

Food budget standards and dietary adequacy in low-income families.

PubMed

Nelson, Michael; Dick, Katie; Holmes, Bridget

2002-11-01

Budget standards are specified baskets of goods and services which, when priced, can represent predefined living standards. 'Low cost but acceptable' (LCA) is a minimum income standard, adequate to provide warmth and shelter, a healthy and palatable diet, social necessities, social integration, avoidance of chronic stress and the maintenance of good health (physical, mental and social) in a context of free access to good-quality health care, good-quality education and social justice. The LCA food budget standard identifies a basket of foods and corresponding menus which provides (for a given household composition) a palatable diet that is consistent with prevailing cultural norms, and that satisfies existing criteria for health in relation to dietary reference values, food-based dietary guidelines and safe levels of alcohol consumption. Two previous studies that explored the relationship between diet and food expenditure in low-income households suggested that the amount spent on food was a good predictor of dietary adequacy, growth and health in children. The current paper will focus on diet and measures of deprivation in 250 low-income households in London. Households were screened for material deprivation (e.g. no car, no fixed line telephone, in receipt of Income Support) using a doorstep questionnaire. Diet was assessed using four 24 h recalls based on the 'triple pass' method. Expenditure on food and other aspects of household circumstances were assessed by face-to-face interview. Food expenditure in these households was characterized in relation to food budget standards. Further analyses explored the relationships between food expenditure and dietary adequacy, growth in children and measures of deprivation.

29 CFR 779.333 - Goods sold for use as raw materials in other products.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 29 Labor 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Goods sold for use as raw materials in other products. 779... Service Establishments Sales Not Made for Resale § 779.333 Goods sold for use as raw materials in other products. Goods are sold for resale where they are sold for use as a raw material in the production of a...

29 CFR 779.333 - Goods sold for use as raw materials in other products.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 29 Labor 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Goods sold for use as raw materials in other products. 779... Service Establishments Sales Not Made for Resale § 779.333 Goods sold for use as raw materials in other products. Goods are sold for resale where they are sold for use as a raw material in the production of a...

Development of a wheat-Aegilops searsii substitution line with positively affecting Chinese steamed bread quality.

PubMed

Du, Xuye; Ma, Xin; Min, Jingzhi; Zhang, Xiaocun; Jia, Zhenzhen

2018-03-01

A wheat- Aegilops searsii substitution line GL1402, in which chromosome 1B was substituted with 1S s from Ae. searsii , was developed and detected using SDS-PAGE and GISH. The SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the HMW-GS encoded by the Glu-B1 loci of Chinese Spring was replaced by the HMW-GS encoded by the Glu-1S s loci of Ae. searsii . Glutenin macropolymer (GMP) investigation showed that GL1402 had a much higher GMP content than Chinese Spring did. A dough quality comparison of GL1402 and Chinese Spring indicated that GL1402 showed a significantly higher protein content and middle peak time (MPT), and a smaller right peak slope (RPS). Quality tests of Chinese steamed bread (CSB) showed that the GL1402 also produced good steamed bread quality. These results suggested that the substitution line is a valuable breeding material for improving the wheat processing quality.

Parameter optimization for selective laser melting of TiAl6V4 alloy by CO2 laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baitimerov, R. M.; Lykov, P. A.; Radionova, L. V.; Safonov, E. V.

2017-10-01

TiAl6V4 alloy is one of the widely used materials in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing technologies. In recent years selective laser melting (SLM) of TiAl6V4 alloy by fiber laser has been well studied, but SLM by CO2-lasers has not. SLM of TiAl6V4 powder by CO2-laser was studied in this paper. Nine 10×10×10 mm cubic specimens were fabricated using different SLM process parameters. All of the fabricated specimens have a good dense structure and a good surface finish quality without dimensional distortion. The lowest porosity that was achieved was about 0.5%.

Reflexion on linear regression trip production modelling method for ensuring good model quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suprayitno, Hitapriya; Ratnasari, Vita

2017-11-01

Transport Modelling is important. For certain cases, the conventional model still has to be used, in which having a good trip production model is capital. A good model can only be obtained from a good sample. Two of the basic principles of a good sampling is having a sample capable to represent the population characteristics and capable to produce an acceptable error at a certain confidence level. It seems that this principle is not yet quite understood and used in trip production modeling. Therefore, investigating the Trip Production Modelling practice in Indonesia and try to formulate a better modeling method for ensuring the Model Quality is necessary. This research result is presented as follows. Statistics knows a method to calculate span of prediction value at a certain confidence level for linear regression, which is called Confidence Interval of Predicted Value. The common modeling practice uses R2 as the principal quality measure, the sampling practice varies and not always conform to the sampling principles. An experiment indicates that small sample is already capable to give excellent R2 value and sample composition can significantly change the model. Hence, good R2 value, in fact, does not always mean good model quality. These lead to three basic ideas for ensuring good model quality, i.e. reformulating quality measure, calculation procedure, and sampling method. A quality measure is defined as having a good R2 value and a good Confidence Interval of Predicted Value. Calculation procedure must incorporate statistical calculation method and appropriate statistical tests needed. A good sampling method must incorporate random well distributed stratified sampling with a certain minimum number of samples. These three ideas need to be more developed and tested.

Optimum processing parameters for the fabrication of twill flax fabric-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuhudi, Nurul Zuhairah Mahmud; Minhat, Mulia; Shamsuddin, Mohd Hafizi; Isa, Mohd Dali; Nur, Nurhayati Mohd

2017-12-01

In recent years, natural fabric thermoplastic composites such as flax have received much attention due to its attractive capabilities for structural applications. It is crucial to study the processing of flax fabric materials in order to achieve good quality and cost-effectiveness in fibre reinforced composites. Though flax fabric has been widely utilized for several years in composite applications due to its high strength and abundance in nature, much work has been concentrated on short flax fibre and very little work focused on using flax fabric. The effectiveness of the flax fabric is expected to give higher strength performance due to its structure but the processing needs to be optimised. Flax fabric composites were fabricated using compression moulding due to its simplicity, gives good surface finish and relatively low cost in terms of labour and production. Further, the impregnation of the polymer into the fabric is easier in this process. As the fabric weave structure contributes to the impregnation quality which leads to the overall performance, the processing parameters of consolidation i.e. pressure, time, and weight fraction of fabric were optimized using the Taguchi method. This optimization enhances the consolidation quality of the composite by improving the composite mechanical properties, three main tests were conducted i.e. tensile, flexural and impact test. It is observed that the processing parameter significantly affected the consolidation and quality of composite.

A Simple Inexpensive Bridgman-Stockbarger Crystal Growth System for Organic Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, J.; Aggarwal, M. D.; Wang, W. S.; Metzl, R.; Bhat, K.; Penn, Benjamin G.; Frazier, Donald O.

1996-01-01

Direct observation of solid-liquid interface is important for the directional solidification to determine the desired interface shape by controlling the growth parameters. To grow good quality single crystals of novel organic nonlinear optical materials, a simple inexpensive Bridgman-Stockbarger (BS) crystal growth system has been designed and fabricated. Two immiscible liquids have been utilized to create two zones for this crystal growth system. Bulk single crystals of benzil derivative and n-salicylidene-aniline have been successfully grown in this system. The optimum lowering rate has been found to be 0.1 mm/h for the flat interface. Results on the crystal growth and other parameters of the grown crystals are presented.

MnSi nanostructures obtained from epitaxially grown thin films: magnetotransport and Hall effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schroeter, D.; Steinki, N.; Schilling, M.; Fernández Scarioni, A.; Krzysteczko, P.; Dziomba, T.; Schumacher, H. W.; Menzel, D.; Süllow, S.

2018-06-01

We present a comparative study of the (magneto)transport properties, including Hall effect, of bulk, epitaxially grown thin film and nanostructured MnSi. In order to set our results in relation to published data we extensively characterize our materials, this way establishing a comparatively good sample quality. Our analysis reveals that in particular for thin film and nanostructured material, there are extrinsic and intrinsic contributions to the electronic transport properties, which by modeling the data we separate out. Finally, we discuss our Hall effect data of nanostructured MnSi under consideration of the extrinsic contributions and with respect to the question of the detection of a topological Hall effect in a skyrmionic lattice.

Planetary and Primitive Object Strength Measurement and Sampling Apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahrens, Thomas J.

1995-01-01

Support is requested for continuation of a program of dynamic impact (harpoon) coring of planetary, comet, or asteroid surface materials. We have previously demonstrated that good quality cores are obtainable for planetary materials with compressive strengths less than 200 MPa. Since the dynamics of penetration are observable on a Discovery class spacecraft, which images the sampling operation, these data can be used with a model developed under this project, to measure in-situ strength and frictional strength of the crust of the object. During the last year we have developed a detailed analytic model of penetrator mechanics. Progress is reported for the solid penetrators experiments, the CIT penetrator model, and the impact spall sampling apparatus.

Quality of web-based information on social phobia: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Khazaal, Yasser; Fernandez, Sebastien; Cochand, Sophie; Reboh, Isabel; Zullino, Daniele

2008-01-01

The objective of the study is to evaluate the quality of web-based information on social phobia and to investigate particular quality indicators. Two keywords, "Social phobia" and "Social Anxiety Disorder", were entered into five popular World Wide Web search engines. Websites were assessed with a standardized proforma designed to rate sites on the basis of accountability, presentation, interactivity, readability, and content quality. "Health On the Net" (HON) quality label and DISCERN scale scores aiding people without content expertise to assess quality of written health publication were used to verify their efficiency as quality indicators. This study evaluates the quality of web-based information on social phobia. On the 200 identified links, 58 were included. On the basis of outcome measures, the overall quality of the sites turned out to be poor. DISCERN and HON label were indicators of good quality indicators. Accountability criteria were poor indicators of site quality. Although social phobia education Websites for patients are common, educational material highly varies in quality and content. There is a need for better evidence-based information about social phobia on the Web and a need to reconsider the role of accountability criteria as indicators of site quality. Clinicians should advise patients of the HON label and DISCERN as useful indicators of site quality. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Supercritical fluids as alternative, safe, food-processing media: an overview.

PubMed

Da Cruz Francisco, José; Szwajcer Dey, Estera

2003-01-01

The continuous growth of world population and its concentration in the urban areas require food supplies that are continuous, sufficient and of good quality. To resolve this problem techniques have been developed for increasing food quantity and quality. The techniques are applied throughout the food chain from production, conservation and during distribution to the consumers (from "the field to the fork"). During handling of food, chemicals are often deliberately added to achieve improved processing and better quality. This is one of the main reasons food undergoes different kinds of contamination. This overview focuses on the application of supercritical fluids as media for handling food materials during processing with the perspective of reducing chemical contamination of food. Examples of developmental applications of this technique and on research work in process are presented. Emphasis is given to extraction and biotransformation techniques.

Nonlinear Optical Properties of Organic and Polymeric Thin Film Materials of Potential for Microgravity Processing Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abdeldayem, Hossin; Frazier, Donald O.; Paley, Mark S.; Penn, Benjamin; Witherow, William K.; Bank, Curtis; Shields, Angela; Hicks, Rosline; Ashley, Paul R.

1996-01-01

In this paper, we will take a closer look at the state of the art of polydiacetylene, and metal-free phthalocyanine films, in view of the microgravity impact on their optical properties, their nonlinear optical properties and their potential advantages for integrated optics. These materials have many attractive features with regard to their use in integrated optical circuits and optical switching. Thin films of these materials processed in microgravity environment show enhanced optical quality and better molecular alignment than those processed in unit gravity. Our studies of these materials indicate that microgravity can play a major role in integrated optics technology. Polydiacetylene films are produced by UV irradiation of monomer solution through an optical window. This novel technique of forming polydiacetylene thin films has been modified for constructing sophisticated micro-structure integrated optical patterns using a pre-programmed UV-Laser beam. Wave guiding through these thin films by the prism coupler technique has been demonstrated. The third order nonlinear parameters of these films have been evaluated. Metal-free phthalocyanine films of good optical quality are processed in our laboratories by vapor deposition technique. Initial studies on these films indicate that they have excellent chemical, laser, and environmental stability. They have large nonlinear optical parameters and show intrinsic optical bistability. This bistability is essential for optical logic gates and optical switching applications. Waveguiding and device making investigations of these materials are underway.

Process characteristics of the combination of laser beam- and gas metal arc welding

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

Kalla, G.; Neuenhahn, J.; Koerber, C.

1994-12-31

In this presentation, experiences regarding the combination of laser beam-and gas metal arc welding are discussed. The combination of both techniques offers the possibility of using the specific advantages include the deep penetration effect and the concentrated heat input. Additionally, the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process is characterized by several advantages, such as high thermal efficiency and good gap-bridging ability. Beyond these characteristics, the combination leads to additional advantages concerning process, technique, and quality. Improvement of seam quality and properties are of special note. Adaptation of the GMAW parameters reduces the hardness of the seam weld at increasing weldingmore » speed. This is possible by adapting the efficiency of metal deposition and by the suitable choice of wire material composition. Another advantage is an improvement of surface topology. The surface of the weld seam and the connection to the base material are very smooth. This leads to advantages with regard to the fatigue strength of the seam.« less

Microbial communities and natural fermentation of corn silages prepared with farm bunker-silo in Southwest China.

PubMed

Guan, Hao; Yan, Yanhong; Li, Xiaoling; Li, Xiaomei; Shuai, Yang; Feng, Guangyan; Ran, Qifan; Cai, Yimin; Li, Ying; Zhang, Xinquan

2018-06-08

This study analyzed the variation of microbial communities, their achieved fermentation quality, and the association between microbial diversity and environmental factors after ensiling of 96 samples prepared with bunker-silo in Southwest China. Most of natural corn silages achieved good fermentation, e.g., low pH value (<4.2) and high levels of lactic acid (36.26-79.83 mg/g DM). Weissella species were the dominant epiphytic bacteria in raw material, while Lactobacillus and Acetobacter species were prevalent in silages. Natural Lactobacillus and Pediococcus species produced more lactic acid during ensiling, while the production of acetic acid was highly positively correlated with both Acetobacter and Bradyrhizobium species. Rainfall and humidity affected community of epiphytic bacteria on the corn material, and the temperature affected richness of bacterial species during ensiling. The results confirmed that microbial community of silages in hot and humid area is unique and climatic factors ultimately affect the fermentation quality through influencing microbial community. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Implementation and Qualifications Lessons Learned for Space Flight Photonic Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ott, Melanie N.

2010-01-01

This slide presentation reviews the process for implementation and qualification of space flight photonic components. It discusses the causes for most common anomalies for the space flight components, design compatibility, a specific failure analysis of optical fiber that occurred in a cable in 1999-2000, and another ExPCA connector anomaly involving pins that broke off. It reviews issues around material selection, quality processes and documentation, and current projects that the Photonics group is involved in. The importance of good documentation is stressed.

[Old and new types of sanitary gloves: what has improved?].

PubMed

Belleri, L; Crippa, Michela

2008-01-01

During the eighties a large increase in latex gloves production was observed because of the high demand of gloves in health care settings. In this period a low compliance to minimal quality standard was detected and the poor glove quality was associated with an increase of both irritant and allergic glove-related diseases. Since the second half of nineties health care workers and manufacturers paid more attention to these problems and a trend to a gradual, even if slow, quality improvement was observed. Most frequently powder-free gloves and synthetic gloves were offered on the market. The aim of this study was to highlight what has improved about materials and types of sanitary gloves during the last ten years. The information are based on a review of the scientific literature and practical experiences. Today a large selection of gloves made of different materials are available and they should be addressed to specific tasks. The review of the scientific literature and the analysis of many technical sheets provided by the manufacturers pointed out a trend to a better latex gloves quality (less chemical additives and generally a lower total protein content); sometimes data about a lower extractable latex allergens content are also available. Unfortunately detailed information on glove composition are not usually provided by the manufacturers; purchasers should require the manufacturing company to give comprehensive information and verify their reliability. Moreover the regulation in force should be adapted to higher quality standards. Powder-free and synthetic gloves consumption has improved but the use of synthetic rubber gloves should be further enhanced since some materials (e.g. neoprene and nitrile rubber) have a good biocompatibility and seem to have physical properties and protective efficacy similar to latex. Moreover allergic reactions to synthetic gloves (some chemical additives) are only occasional.

Coordinated Multiple Cadaver Use for Minimally Invasive Surgical Training

PubMed Central

Blaschko, Sarah D.; Brooks, H. Mark; Dhuy, S. Michael; Charest-Shell, Cynthia; Clayman, Ralph V.

2007-01-01

Background: The human cadaver remains the gold standard for anatomic training and is highly useful when incorporated into minimally invasive surgical training programs. However, this valuable resource is often not used to its full potential due to a lack of multidisciplinary cooperation. Herein, we propose the coordinated multiple use of individual cadavers to better utilize anatomical resources and potentiate the availability of cadaver training. Methods: Twenty-two postgraduate surgeons participated in a robot-assisted surgical training course that utilized shared cadavers. All participants completed a Likert 4-scale satisfaction questionnaire after their training session. Cadaveric tissue quality and the quality of the training session related to this material were assessed. Results: Nine participants rated the quality of the cadaveric tissue as excellent, 7 as good, 5 as unsatisfactory, and 1 as poor. Overall, 72% of participants who operated on a previously used cadaver were satisfied with their training experience and did not perceive the previous use deleterious to their training. Conclusion: The coordinated use of cadavers, which allows for multiple cadaver use for different teaching sessions, is an excellent training method that increases availability of human anatomical material for minimally invasive surgical training. PMID:18237501

Review of coal bottom ash and coconut shell in the production of concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faisal, S. K.; Mazenan, P. N.; Shahidan, S.; Irwan, J. M.

2018-04-01

Concrete is the main construction material in the worldwide construction industry. High demand of sand in the concrete production have been increased which become the problems in industry. Natural sand is the most common material used in the construction industry as natural fine aggregate and it caused the availability of good quality of natural sand keep decreasing. The need for a sustainable and green construction building material is required in the construction industry. Hence, this paper presents utilization of coal bottom ash and coconut shell as partial sand replacement in production of concrete. It is able to save cost and energy other than protecting the environment. In summary, 30% usage of coal bottom ash and 25% replacement of coconut shell as aggregate replacement show the acceptable and satisfactory strength of concrete.

Synthesis and innovation of PLA/clay nanocomposite characterization againts to mechanical and thermal properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salim, S.; Agusnar, H.; Wirjosentono, B.; Tamrin; Marpaung, H.; Rihayat, T.; Nurhanifa; Adriana

2018-03-01

Plastic polymer is one of the most dominant materials of daily human activities because of its multifunctional nature, light and strong and anti-corrosion so it is easy to apply in various equipment. Plastic is generally derived from petroleum material so it is nonbiodegradable. Therefore, this study aims to create a breakthrough of natural and biodegradable biodegradable plastic materials from plant starch (pisok kepok starch) with the help of 3 types of acid (HNO3, HCl and H2SO4) called Poly Lactid Acid (PLA). PLA is enhanced by mixing with a clay material with a variation of 1, 3 and 5% composition to form a PLA / Clay Nanocomposite material which is expected to have superior properties and resemble conventional plastics in general. Several types of characterization were performed to see the quality of the resulting material including tensile strength test with UTM tool, thermal endurance test with TGA tool, morphological structure test using SEM tool and additional test to see filler clay quality through X-RD tool. Based on the characterization of tensile and thermal test, 5B nanocomposite with addition of 5% clay and HCl acid aid showed the best tensile strength of 36 Mpa and the highest stability was 446,63 oC. Based on the results of morphological analysis of the best samples (5B) showed good interface ties. Meanwhile, based on the results of filler analysis, the opening of clay layer d-spacing occurred at 0.355 nm.

Qualities of a good Singaporean psychiatrist: Qualitative differences between psychiatrists and patients.

PubMed

Tor, Phern-Chern; Tan, Jacinta O A

2015-06-01

Pilot studies in Singapore established four themes (personal values, professional, relationship, academic-executive) relating to the qualities of a good psychiatrist, and suggested potential differences of opinion between patients and psychiatrists. We sought to explore differences between patients and psychiatrists regarding the qualities of a good psychiatrist. Qualitative analysis of interviews using a modified grounded theory approach with 21 voluntary psychiatric inpatients and 18 psychiatrists. One hundred thirty-one separate qualities emerged from the data. The qualities of a good psychiatrist were viewed in the context of motivations, functions, methods, and results obtained, mirroring the themes established in the pilot studies. Patients and psychiatrists mostly concurred on the qualities of a good psychiatrist, with 62.6% of the qualities emerging from both groups. However significant differences existed. Patient-specific qualities included proof of altruistic motives, diligence, clinical competence, and positive results. What the psychiatrist represented to patients in relation to gender, culture, and clinical prestige also mattered to patients. Psychiatrist-specific qualities related to societal (e.g. public protection) and professional concerns (e.g. boundary issues). The results of this study demonstrate that patients and psychiatrists have different views about the qualities of a good psychiatrist. Patients may expect proof of care, diligence, and competence from the psychiatrist, along with positive results. In addition, psychiatrists should be mindful of what they represent to patients and how that can impact the doctor-patient relationship. © 2014 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Effects of written information material on help-seeking behavior in patients with erectile dysfunction: a longitudinal study.

PubMed

Berner, Michael M; Leiber, Christian; Kriston, Levente; Stodden, Vera; Günzler, Cindy

2008-02-01

Neither men with erectile dysfunction (ED) nor their physicians are willing to discuss sexual problem sufficiently. Written information material could facilitate a dialogue and encourage men to seek treatment. The central task of this article was to determine the effectiveness and acceptance of patient information material for sexual dysfunction. Through an information campaign, men received informational material. Eight thousand men also received a first survey, which asked about the intention to seek treatment and to discuss the sexual problem with a physician or partner. A second follow-up questionnaire, 3-6 months after the first one, asked for the implementation of these intentions. Descriptive and regression-based analyses were applied. Help-seeking behavior, subjective assessment of change in disease severity and partnership quality, satisfaction. Four hundred forty-three men participated in both surveys. Nearly 90% of them became active after reading the information material. More than half talked with their partner (57.8%) and a physician (65%), and one-third sought treatment (31.8%). Especially discussing the problem with the partner and receiving treatment improved erectile functioning and led to an increase in the quality of partnership (P

Developing digital educational materials for nursing and sustainability: The results of an observational study.

PubMed

Álvarez-Nieto, Carmen; Richardson, Janet; Parra-Anguita, Gema; Linares-Abad, Manuel; Huss, Norma; Grande-Gascón, M Luisa; Grose, Jane; Huynen, Maud; López-Medina, Isabel M

2018-01-01

There is limited European literature on nursing and sustainability; nursing students are poorly prepared on the connections between resources, climate change, sustainability, and health, so they must acquire knowledge and develop skills and competencies in this field. The use of digital technologies and teaching via E-learning has grown, and has been widely adopted as a learning method for nursing. The aim of the current study was to test and evaluate digital educational materials on environmental sustainability and health, in the context of university nursing education in different European countries. An observational cross-sectional design. University of Plymouth, University of Jaén, and University of Esslingen for Nursing Degree Studies. 299 nursing students: 161 students from University of Jaén; 106 from Plymouth; and 32 from Esslingen. 22 professional evaluators with different profiles were recruited: Teachers, Clinical professionals, Delphi Experts, and Technical Experts. We conducted a piloting and validation process. The materials were designed and adapted to the NurSusTOOLKIT Sustainability Literacy and Competency framework. Evaluation was developed by professionals and students. We used the Spanish Standard for the assessment of Digital Educational Material Quality at University level questionnaire. All students provided informed consent prior to taking part in the learning and evaluation. The overall evaluations of materials by students and professionals were 7.98±1.28 and 8.50±1.17, respectively. The Ability to generate learning was scored higher among students (mean difference: 0.84; 0.22-1.47; p=0.008). In the overall assessment by students, statistically significant differences were found between the three universities (Welch: 11.69, p<0.001). Students, professionals, and technical experts considered the materials to be very good quality, especially regarding the quality of contents, format, and design. For students, these materials can generate reflection and learning regarding environmental and health issues during nursing training. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations. Forty-ninth report.

PubMed

2015-01-01

The Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations works towards clear, independent and practical standards and guidelines for the quality assurance of medicines. Standards are developed by the Committee through worldwide consultation and an international consensus-building process. The following new guidelines were adopted and recommended for use. Revised procedure for the development of monographs and other texts for The International Pharmacopoeia; Revised updating mechanism for the section on radiopharmaceuticals in The International Pharmacopoeia; Revision of the supplementary guidelines on good manufacturing practices: validation, Appendix 7: non-sterile process validation; General guidance for inspectors on hold-time studies; 16 technical supplements to Model guidance for the storage and transport of time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products; Recommendations for quality requirements when plant-derived artemisinin is used as a starting material in the production of antimalarial active pharmaceutical ingredients; Multisource (generic) pharmaceutical products: guidelines on registration requirements to establish interchangeability: revision; Guidance on the selection of comparator pharmaceutical products for equivalence assessment of interchangeable multisource (generic) products: revision; and Good review practices: guidelines for national and regional regulatory authorities.

Good manufacturing practice and viral safety.

PubMed

Kerner, B

1995-07-01

The concept of virus inactivation during the manufacture of blood products raises questions about possible recontamination of the product by the environment. A strict regime of good manufacturing practice (GMP) is mandatory. The guidelines originally issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), and now law in most countries, are an excellent basis for the operation of a production plant. The following elements of GMP require special concern: (i) All functions shall be defined in a clear organization chart. (ii) Personnel shall be appropriately trained for the job and to perfect hygiene. (iii) Buildings and facilities, as well as supply systems, shall exclude the possibility of recontamination of already virus-inactivated materials. (iv) Equipment shall be easy to clean and fully sterilizable. (v) Production shall follow appropriate written procedures. (vi) The Quality Control Organization shall monitor the process by in-process controls and review the records for possible deviations. All GMP issues are coordinated by a Quality Assurance Organization that also reviews the overall performance of the operation. The maintenance of viral safety of the products basically depends upon the full commitment of all bodies involved to proper and non-negotiable GMP.

Study of weld quality real-time monitoring system for auto-body assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Jun; Li, Yong-Bing; Chen, Guan-Long

2005-12-01

Resistance spot welding (RSW) is widely used for the auto-body assembly in automotive industry. But RSW suffers from a major problem of inconsistent quality from weld to weld. The major problem is the complexity of the basic process that may involve material coatings, electrode force, electrode wear, fit up, etc. Therefore weld quality assurance is still a big challenge and goal. Electrode displacement has proved to be a particularly useful signal which correlates well with weld quality. This paper introduces a novel auto-body spot weld quality monitoring system which uses electrode displacement as the quality parameter. This system chooses the latest laser displacement sensor with high resolution to measure the real-time electrode displacement. It solves the interference problem of sensor mounting by designing special fixture, and can be successfully applied on the portable welding machine. It is capable of evaluating weld quality and making diagnosis of process variations such as surface asperities, shunting, worn electrode and weld expansion with real-time electrode displacement. As proved by application in the workshop, the monitoring system has good stability and reliability, and is qualified for monitoring weld quality in process.

Shelf life of packaged bakery goods--a review.

PubMed

Galić, K; Curić, D; Gabrić, D

2009-05-01

Packaging requirements for fresh bakery goods are often minimal as many of the products are for immediate consumption. However, packaging can be an important factor in extending the shelf life of other cereal-based goods (toast, frozen products, biscuits, cakes, pastas). Some amount of the texture changes and flavor loss manifest over the shelf life of a soft-baked good can usually be minimized or delayed by effective use of packaging materials. The gains in the extension of shelf life will be application specific. It is recognized that defining the shelf life of a food is a difficult task and is an area of intense research for food product development scientists (food technologists, microbiologists, packaging experts). Proper application of chemical kinetic principles to food quality loss allows for efficiently designing appropriate shelf-life tests and maximizing the useful information that can be obtained from the resulting data. In the development of any new food product including reformulating, change of packaging, or storage/distribution condition (to penetrate into a new market), one important aspect is the knowledge of shelf life.

Development of orientation-patterned GaP grown on foreign substrates for QPM frequency conversion devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vangala, Shivashankar; Peterson, Rita; Snure, Michael; Tassev, Vladimir

2017-02-01

Thick hydride vapor phase epitaxially grown orientation-patterned gallium phosphide (OPGaP) is a leading material for quasi-phase matching (QPM) frequency conversion in the mid- and longwave infrared (IR). This is due to its negligible two-photon absorption (2PA) in the convenient pumping range 1 - 1.7 μm, compared with the 2PA of some traditional QPM materials, such as GaAs. In this paper, we describe homo- and heteroepitaxial growth techniques aimed to produce hundreds of microns thick OPGaP on: 1) OPGaAs templates fabricated using an improved wafer-fusion process; 2) OPGaAs templates fabricated by using a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) for sublattice polarity inversion, but one with and one without MBE regrowth after the inversion. Some of the advantages of the heteroepitaxial growth of OPGaP on OPGaAs templates include: 1) achieving good domain fidelity as a result of the significantly higher OPGaAs template quality; 2) eliminating the needs of using the poor quality commercially available GaP in the production of thick OPGaP material, and 3) suppression of the additional absorption band between 2 - 4 μm (which is due to incorporation of n-type impurities) and, in general, improvement of the IR transmittance in the entire IR region. Combining the advantages of the two most promising nonlinear materials, GaAs and GaP, will accelerate the development of high power, broadly tunable laser sources in the IR which, in addition, will be offered with higher device quality and at a reasonably lower unit cost.

Thermal modelling of normal distributed nanoparticles through thickness in an inorganic material matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latré, S.; Desplentere, F.; De Pooter, S.; Seveno, D.

2017-10-01

Nanoscale materials showing superior thermal properties have raised the interest of the building industry. By adding these materials to conventional construction materials, it is possible to decrease the total thermal conductivity by almost one order of magnitude. This conductivity is mainly influenced by the dispersion quality within the matrix material. At the industrial scale, the main challenge is to control this dispersion to reduce or even eliminate thermal bridges. This allows to reach an industrially relevant process to balance out the high material cost and their superior thermal insulation properties. Therefore, a methodology is required to measure and describe these nanoscale distributions within the inorganic matrix material. These distributions are either random or normally distributed through thickness within the matrix material. We show that the influence of these distributions is meaningful and modifies the thermal conductivity of the building material. Hence, this strategy will generate a thermal model allowing to predict the thermal behavior of the nanoscale particles and their distributions. This thermal model will be validated by the hot wire technique. For the moment, a good correlation is found between the numerical results and experimental data for a randomly distributed form of nanoparticles in all directions.

Highly resistive C-doped hydride vapor phase epitaxy-GaN grown on ammonothermally crystallized GaN seeds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwinska, Malgorzata; Piotrzkowski, Ryszard; Litwin-Staszewska, Elzbieta; Sochacki, Tomasz; Amilusik, Mikolaj; Fijalkowski, Michal; Lucznik, Boleslaw; Bockowski, Michal

2017-01-01

GaN crystals were grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) and doped with C. The seeds were high-structural-quality ammonothermally crystallized GaN. The grown crystals were highly resistive at 296 K and of high structural quality. High-temperature Hall effect measurements revealed p-type conductivity and a deep acceptor level in the material with an activation energy of 1 eV. This is in good agreement with density functional theory calculations based on hybrid functionals as presented by the Van de Walle group. They obtained an ionization energy of 0.9 eV when C was substituted for N in GaN and acted as a deep acceptor.

Sorption of pollutants by porous carbon, carbon nanotubes and fullerene- an overview.

PubMed

Gupta, Vinod K; Saleh, Tawfik A

2013-05-01

The quality of water is continuously deteriorating due to its increasing toxic threat to humans and the environment. It is imperative to perform treatment of wastewater in order to remove pollutants and to get good quality water. Carbon materials like porous carbon, carbon nanotubes and fullerene have been extensively used for advanced treatment of wastewaters. In recent years, carbon nanomaterials have become promising adsorbents for water treatment. This review attempts to compile relevant knowledge about the adsorption activities of porous carbon, carbon nanotubes and fullerene related to various organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous solutions. A detailed description of the preparation and treatment methods of porous carbon, carbon nanotubes and fullerene along with relevant applications and regeneration is also included.

Performance and durability of concrete made with demolition waste and artificial fly ash-clay aggregates

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

Zakaria, M.; Cabrera, J.G.

1996-12-31

Demolition aggregates and artificial aggregates made with waste materials are two alternatives being studied for replacement of natural aggregates in the production of concrete. Natural aggregate sources in Europe are increasingly scarce and subject to restrictions based on environmental regulations. In many areas of the developing world sources of good quality aggregates are very limited or practically not available and therefore it has become necessary to study alternative materials. This paper presents a laboratory study on the use of demolition bricks and artificial aggregates made from fly ash-clay as coarse aggregates to make concrete. The concretes made either with demolitionmore » bricks or artificial aggregates are compared with a control mix made with natural gravel aggregates. The strength and durability characteristics of these concretes are evaluated using as a criteria compressive strength and transport properties, such as gas and water permeability. The results show clearly that concretes of good performance and durability can be produced using aggregates from demolition rubble or using artificial aggregates made with wastes such as fly ash.« less

Good Practices in Model‐Informed Drug Discovery and Development: Practice, Application, and Documentation

PubMed Central

Burghaus, R; Cosson, V; Cheung, SYA; Chenel, M; DellaPasqua, O; Frey, N; Hamrén, B; Harnisch, L; Ivanow, F; Kerbusch, T; Lippert, J; Milligan, PA; Rohou, S; Staab, A; Steimer, JL; Tornøe, C; Visser, SAG

2016-01-01

This document was developed to enable greater consistency in the practice, application, and documentation of Model‐Informed Drug Discovery and Development (MID3) across the pharmaceutical industry. A collection of “good practice” recommendations are assembled here in order to minimize the heterogeneity in both the quality and content of MID3 implementation and documentation. The three major objectives of this white paper are to: i) inform company decision makers how the strategic integration of MID3 can benefit R&D efficiency; ii) provide MID3 analysts with sufficient material to enhance the planning, rigor, and consistency of the application of MID3; and iii) provide regulatory authorities with substrate to develop MID3 related and/or MID3 enabled guidelines. PMID:27069774

Development of a design space and predictive statistical model for capsule filling of low-fill-weight inhalation products.

PubMed

Faulhammer, E; Llusa, M; Wahl, P R; Paudel, A; Lawrence, S; Biserni, S; Calzolari, V; Khinast, J G

2016-01-01

The objectives of this study were to develop a predictive statistical model for low-fill-weight capsule filling of inhalation products with dosator nozzles via the quality by design (QbD) approach and based on that to create refined models that include quadratic terms for significant parameters. Various controllable process parameters and uncontrolled material attributes of 12 powders were initially screened using a linear model with partial least square (PLS) regression to determine their effect on the critical quality attributes (CQA; fill weight and weight variability). After identifying critical material attributes (CMAs) and critical process parameters (CPPs) that influenced the CQA, model refinement was performed to study if interactions or quadratic terms influence the model. Based on the assessment of the effects of the CPPs and CMAs on fill weight and weight variability for low-fill-weight inhalation products, we developed an excellent linear predictive model for fill weight (R(2 )= 0.96, Q(2 )= 0.96 for powders with good flow properties and R(2 )= 0.94, Q(2 )= 0.93 for cohesive powders) and a model that provides a good approximation of the fill weight variability for each powder group. We validated the model, established a design space for the performance of different types of inhalation grade lactose on low-fill weight capsule filling and successfully used the CMAs and CPPs to predict fill weight of powders that were not included in the development set.

Determination of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol by liquid chromatography for the quality control of cosmetic products based on olive extracts.

PubMed

Miralles, Pablo; Chisvert, Alberto; Salvador, Amparo

2015-01-01

An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol in different types of olive extract raw materials and cosmetic cream samples has been developed. The determination was performed by liquid chromatography with UV spectrophotometric detection. Different chromatographic parameters, such as mobile phase pH and composition, oven temperature and different sample preparation variables were studied. The best chromatographic separation was obtained under the following conditions: C18 column set at 35°C and isocratic elution of a mixture ethanol: 1% acetic acid solution at pH 5 (5:95, v/v) as mobile phase pumped at 1 mL min(-1). The detection wavelength was set at 280 nm and the total run time required for the chromatographic analysis was 10 min, except for cosmetic cream samples where 20 min runtime was required (including a cleaning step). The method was satisfactorily applied to 23 samples including solid, water-soluble and fat-soluble olive extracts and cosmetic cream samples containing hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol. Good recoveries (95-107%) and repeatability (1.1-3.6%) were obtained, besides of limits of detection values below the μg mL(-1) level. These good analytical features, as well as its environmentally-friendly characteristics, make the presented method suitable to carry out both the control of the whole manufacture process of raw materials containing the target analytes and the quality control of the finished cosmetic products. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Preparation of high-oriented molybdenum thin films using DC reactive magnetronsputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, Zhengguo; Li, Dongling; Yin, She; Wang, Shengqiang

2017-03-01

Since molybdenum (Mo) thin film has been used widely recently, it attracts plenty of attention, like it is a good candidate of back contact material for CuIn1-xGaxSe2-ySy (CIGSeS) solar cells development; thanks to its more conductive and higher adhesive property. Besides, molybdenum thin film is an ideal material for aluminum nitride (AlN) thin film preparation and attributes to the tiny (-1.0%) lattice mismatch between Mo and AlN. As we know that the quality of Mo thin film is mainly dependent on process conditions, it brings a practical significance to study the influence of process parameters on Mo thin film properties. In this work, various sputtering conditions are employed to explore the feasibility of depositing a layer of molybdenum film with good quality by DC reactive magnetron sputtering. The influence of process parameters such as power, gas flow, substrate temperature and process time on the crystallinity and crystal orientation of Mo thin films is investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and atomic force microscope (AFM) are used to characterize the properties and surface roughness, respectively. According to comparative analysis on the results, process parameters are optimized. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the rocking curves of the (110) Mo is decreased to 2.7∘, and the (110) Mo peaks reached 1.2 × 105 counts. The grain size and the surface roughness have been measured as 20 Å and 3.8 nm, respectively, at 200∘C.

Development and characterization of an LDPE/chitosan composite antimicrobial film for chilled fish storage.

PubMed

Reesha, K V; Panda, Satyen Kumar; Bindu, J; Varghese, T O

2015-08-01

An antimicrobial packaging material was developed by uniformly embedding 1, 3 and 5% chitosan (w/w) in low density polyethylene matrix using maleic anhydride grafted LDPE as a compatible agent. The materials were mixed by compounding and blown into monolayer films via blown film extrusion. The developed films showed good barrier properties against oxygen. Characterization of the composite films with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that chitosan and LDPE interacted well with each other. Overall migration showed better release of chitosan adduct from the LDPE matrix which enhanced the antibacterial properties of the films. The interaction between the LDPE/CS and maleic anhydride grafted LDPE had a decreasing effect on the tensile strength and heat sealing properties. Investigation on antimicrobial properties of LDPE/CS films showed 85-100% inhibition of Escherichia coli. Efficacy of LDPE/CS films was evaluated by using them as packaging material for chilled storage of Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Analysis of storage quality indices (peroxide value, free fatty acid, total volatile base nitrogen and aerobic plate count) revealed good antibacterial property and extension of shelf life of Tilapia in the chitosan incorporated novel composite films compared to virgin LDPE film. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of VOC Emission from Materials in Vehicular Environment at Varied Temperatures: Correlation Development and Validation

PubMed Central

Xiong, Jianyin; Yang, Tao; Tan, Jianwei; Li, Lan; Ge, Yunshan

2015-01-01

The steady state VOC concentration in automobile cabin is taken as a good indicator to characterize the material emission behaviors and evaluate the vehicular air quality. Most studies in this field focus on experimental investigation while theoretical analysis is lacking. In this paper we firstly develop a simplified physical model to describe the VOC emission from automobile materials, and then derive a theoretical correlation between the steady state cabin VOC concentration (C a) and temperature (T), which indicates that the logarithm of C a/T 0.75 is in a linear relationship with 1/T. Experiments of chemical emissions in three car cabins at different temperatures (24°C, 29°C, 35°C) were conducted. Eight VOCs specified in the Chinese National Standard GB/T 27630–2011 were taken for analysis. The good agreement between the correlation and experimental results from our tests, as well as the data taken from literature demonstrates the effectiveness of the derived correlation. Further study indicates that the slope and intercept of the correlation follows linear association. With the derived correlation, the steady state cabin VOC concentration different from the test conditions can be conveniently obtained. This study should be helpful for analyzing temperature-dependent emission phenomena in automobiles and predicting associated health risks. PMID:26452146

Hole Quality Assessment in Drilling of Glass Microballoon/Epoxy Syntactic Foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashrith, H. S.; Doddamani, Mrityunjay; Gaitonde, Vinayak; Gupta, Nikhil

2018-05-01

Syntactic foams reinforced with glass microballoons are used as alternatives for conventional materials in structural application of aircrafts and automobiles due to their unique properties such as light weight, high compressive strength, and low moisture absorption. Drilling is the most commonly used process of making holes for assembling structural components. In the present investigation, grey relation analysis (GRA) is used to optimize cutting speed, feed, drill diameter, and filler content to minimize cylindricity, circularity error, and damage factor. Experiments based on full factorial design are conducted using a vertical computer numerical control machine and tungsten carbide twist drills. GRA reveals that a combination of lower cutting speed, filler content, and drill diameter produces a good quality hole at optimum intermediate feed in drilling syntactic foams composites. GRA also shows that the drill diameter has a significant effect on the hole quality. Furthermore, damage on the hole exit side is analyzed using a scanning electron microscope.

Study of Laser Drilled Hole Quality of Yttria Stabilized Zirconia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saini, Surendra K.; Dubey, Avanish K.; Pant, Piyush; Upadhyay, B. N.; Choubey, A.

2017-09-01

The Yttria Stabilized Zirconia ceramic is extensively used in aerospace, automotives, medical and microelectronics industries. These applications demand manufacturing of different macro and micro features with close tolerances in this material. To make miniature holes with accurate dimensions in advanced ceramics such as Yttria Stabilized Zirconia is very difficult due to its tailored attributes such as high toughness, hardness, strength, resistance to wear, corrosion and temperature. Due to inherent characteristics of laser drilling, researchers are working to fulfill the requirement of creation of micro holes in advanced ceramics. The present research investigates the laser drilling of 2 mm thick Yttria Stabilized Zirconia with the aim to achieve good micro holes with reduced geometrical inaccuracies and improved hole quality. The results show that multiple quality response comprising hole circularity, hole taper and recast layer thickness has been improved at optimally selected process parameters.

How to run a successful Journal

PubMed Central

Jawaid, Shaukat Ali; Jawaid, Masood

2017-01-01

Publishing and successfully running a good quality peer reviewed biomedical scientific journal is not an easy task. Some of the pre-requisites include a competent experienced editor supported by a team. Long term sustainability of a journal will depend on good quality manuscripts, active editorial board, good quality of reviewers, workable business model to ensure financial support, increased visibility which will ensure increased submissions, indexation in various important databases, online availability and easy to use website. This manuscript outlines the logistics and technical issues which need to be resolved before starting a new journal and ensuring sustainability of a good quality peer reviewed journal. PMID:29492089

A Multivariate Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Quality of Freshly Frozen Tissue Specimens.

PubMed

Wang, Tong-Hong; Chen, Chin-Chuan; Liang, Kung-Hao; Chen, Chi-Yuan; Chuang, Wen-Yu; Ueng, Shir-Hwa; Chu, Pao-Hsien; Huang, Chung-Guei; Chen, Tse-Ching; Hsueh, Chuen

2017-08-01

Well-prepared and preserved freshly frozen specimens are indispensable materials for clinical studies. To manage specimen quality and to understand the factors potentially affecting specimen quality during preservation processes, we analyzed the quality of RNA and genomic DNA of various tissues collected between 2002 and 2011 in Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. During this period, a total of 1059 freshly frozen specimens from eight major cancer categories were examined. It was found that preservation duration, organ origin, and tissue type could all influence the quality of RNA samples. The increased preservation period correlated with decreased RNA quality; the brain, breast, and stomach RNA specimens displayed faster degradation rates than those of other organs, and RNA specimens isolated from tumor tissues were apparently more stable than those of other tissues. These factors could all be used as quality predictors of RNA quality. In contrast, almost all analyses revealed that the genomic DNA samples had good quality, which was not influenced by the aforementioned factors. The results assisted us in determining preservation factors that affect specimen quality, which could provide evidence for improving processes of sample collection and preservation. Furthermore, the results are also useful for researchers to adopt as the evaluation criteria for choosing specimen collection and preservation strategies.

Determinants of Quality of Life and the Need for Support for the Elderly with Good Physical and Mental Functioning.

PubMed

Talarska, Dorota; Tobis, Sławomir; Kotkowiak, Marta; Strugała, Magdalena; Stanisławska, Joanna; Wieczorowska-Tobis, Katarzyna

2018-03-19

BACKGROUND The ageing of population is the reason that there are various strategies developed to help seniors acquire greater independence and a better quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the elderly peope's need for assistance and assessed quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 100 participants who were members of a Seniors Club in Poznań, Poland. The cross-sectional study utilized the following instruments: Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), EASY-Care Standard 2010 questionnaire, (WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. RESULTS Members of the Seniors' Club showed good functional condition. In the AMTS test, they scored near maximum values (average 9.39±0.77 points), somewhat poorer results were found in the IADL scale (average 20.92±3.96 points). In the EASY-Care questionnaire, the study participants usually required partial support in the following areas: Mental health and well-being (59%), Staying healthy (29%), Getting around (22%), and Seeing, hearing and communicating (22%). The average score on Independence was 13.13±18.51, The risk of breakdown in care scale was 4.39±3.21. The risk of falls affected 21 participants (21%). Quality of life study using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire found that the highest scores were achieved in Psychological and Environment domains, and the lowest score in the Physical health domain. CONCLUSIONS Quality of life as well as level of independence, risk of falls, and need for 24-hour care were significantly affected by the following factors: urinary incontinence, difficulties in mobility outside the home, despondency, and forgetfulness.

Air quality measurements-From rubber bands to tapping the rainbow.

PubMed

Hidy, George M; Mueller, Peter K; Altshuler, Samuel L; Chow, Judith C; Watson, John G

2017-06-01

It is axiomatic that good measurements are integral to good public policy for environmental protection. The generalized term for "measurements" includes sampling and quantitation, data integrity, documentation, network design, sponsorship, operations, archiving, and accessing for applications. Each of these components has evolved and advanced over the last 200 years as knowledge of atmospheric chemistry and physics has matured. Air quality was first detected by what people could see and smell in contaminated air. Gaseous pollutants were found to react with certain materials or chemicals, changing the color of dissolved reagents such that their light absorption at selected wavelengths could be related to both the pollutant chemistry and its concentration. Airborne particles have challenged the development of a variety of sensory devices and laboratory assays for characterization of their enormous range of physical and chemical properties. Advanced electronics made possible the sampling, concentration, and detection of gases and particles, both in situ and in laboratory analysis of collected samples. Accurate and precise measurements by these methods have made possible advanced air quality management practices that led to decreasing concentrations over time. New technologies are leading to smaller and cheaper measurement systems that can further expand and enhance current air pollution monitoring networks. Ambient air quality measurement systems have a large influence on air quality management by determining compliance, tracking trends, elucidating pollutant transport and transformation, and relating concentrations to adverse effects. These systems consist of more than just instrumentation, and involve extensive support efforts for siting, maintenance, calibration, auditing, data validation, data management and access, and data interpretation. These requirements have largely been attained for criteria pollutants regulated by National Ambient Air Quality Standards, but they are rarely attained for nonroutine measurements and research studies.

Bacterial Inclusion Bodies: Discovering Their Better Half.

PubMed

Rinas, Ursula; Garcia-Fruitós, Elena; Corchero, José Luis; Vázquez, Esther; Seras-Franzoso, Joaquin; Villaverde, Antonio

2017-09-01

Bacterial inclusion bodies (IBs) are functional, non-toxic amyloids occurring in recombinant bacteria showing analogies with secretory granules of the mammalian endocrine system. The scientific interest in these mesoscale protein aggregates has been historically masked by their status as a hurdle in recombinant protein production. However, progressive understanding of how the cell handles the quality of recombinant polypeptides and the main features of their intriguing molecular organization has stimulated the interest in inclusion bodies and spurred their use in diverse technological fields. The engineering and tailoring of IBs as functional protein particles for materials science and biomedicine is a good example of how formerly undesired bacterial byproducts can be rediscovered as promising functional materials for a broad spectrum of applications. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous Determination of Ten Constituents in Chaiqin Qingning Capsule by High-performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple-quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Li, Ting Yu; Huo, Xiao Kui; Zheng, Lu; Wang, Chao; Cong, Hai Jian; Xiang, Ting; Zhang, Lin; Zhang, Bao Jing; Huang, Shan Shan; Wu, Bin; Li, Xin Yu

2017-01-01

Background: Chaiqin Qingning Capsule (CQQNC) was a prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine with the effects of clearing away heat and removing toxin, harmonizing the exterior and interior, it was widely used in Asian, for example, China and Japan, different batches of the raws materials and different processing time may be the vital factor which raised a challenge to control the quality of the CQQNC. Experimental Methods: In this experiment, a high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/MS (HPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously determine ten bioactive components for the quality control of CQQNC. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an XBridge BEH C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 2.5 μm) with a mobile phase composed of 10 mm aqueous ammonium acetate and acetonitrile using a gradient elution in 20 min. This study was conducted by multiple reaction monitoring mode through electrospray ionization resource with a negative ionization mode. Results: The established method was validated with good performance of precision, accuracy, stability, and reproducibility and was utilized to simultaneously quantify ten constituents of CQQNC obtained from seven different batches. Conclusion: It is the first time to report the rapid and simultaneous analysis of the ten compounds in CQQNC by HPLC-MS/MS and apply to determine 10 constituents in 7 batches of CQQNC bought from drug store in china. This method could be considered as good quality criteria to control the quality of CQQNC. SUMMARY In this paper, a simple, specific, and rapid high-performance liquid chromatogram coupled with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry method for simultaneous quantification of ten constituents in Chaiqin Qingning Capsule has been developed for the first time. This method could be considered as good quality criteria to control the quality of CQQNC. Abbreviations used: CHM: Chinese herbal medicine; TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine; CQQNC: Triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry Chaiqin Qingning Capsules; HPLC–MS/MS: High liquid chromatography equipped with tandem mass spectrometry; ESI: Electrospray ionization; DP: Declustering potential; CE: Collision energy; RSD: Relative standard deviation; LOD: Limit of detection; LOQ: Limit of quantity. PMID:29200714

Simultaneous Determination of Ten Constituents in Chaiqin Qingning Capsule by High-performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple-quadrupole Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Li, Ting Yu; Huo, Xiao Kui; Zheng, Lu; Wang, Chao; Cong, Hai Jian; Xiang, Ting; Zhang, Lin; Zhang, Bao Jing; Huang, Shan Shan; Wu, Bin; Li, Xin Yu

2017-01-01

Chaiqin Qingning Capsule (CQQNC) was a prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine with the effects of clearing away heat and removing toxin, harmonizing the exterior and interior, it was widely used in Asian, for example, China and Japan, different batches of the raws materials and different processing time may be the vital factor which raised a challenge to control the quality of the CQQNC. In this experiment, a high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/MS (HPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously determine ten bioactive components for the quality control of CQQNC. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an XBridge BEH C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 2.5 μm) with a mobile phase composed of 10 mm aqueous ammonium acetate and acetonitrile using a gradient elution in 20 min. This study was conducted by multiple reaction monitoring mode through electrospray ionization resource with a negative ionization mode. The established method was validated with good performance of precision, accuracy, stability, and reproducibility and was utilized to simultaneously quantify ten constituents of CQQNC obtained from seven different batches. It is the first time to report the rapid and simultaneous analysis of the ten compounds in CQQNC by HPLC-MS/MS and apply to determine 10 constituents in 7 batches of CQQNC bought from drug store in china. This method could be considered as good quality criteria to control the quality of CQQNC. In this paper, a simple, specific, and rapid high-performance liquid chromatogram coupled with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry method for simultaneous quantification of ten constituents in Chaiqin Qingning Capsule has been developed for the first time. This method could be considered as good quality criteria to control the quality of CQQNC. Abbreviations used: CHM: Chinese herbal medicine; TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine; CQQNC: Triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry Chaiqin Qingning Capsules; HPLC-MS/MS: High liquid chromatography equipped with tandem mass spectrometry; ESI: Electrospray ionization; DP: Declustering potential; CE: Collision energy; RSD: Relative standard deviation; LOD: Limit of detection; LOQ: Limit of quantity.

Development of student performance assessment based on scientific approach for a basic physics practicum in simple harmonic motion materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serevina, V.; Muliyati, D.

2018-05-01

This research aims to develop students’ performance assessment instrument based on scientific approach is valid and reliable in assessing the performance of students on basic physics lab of Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM). This study uses the ADDIE consisting of stages: Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The student performance assessment developed can be used to measure students’ skills in observing, asking, conducting experiments, associating and communicate experimental results that are the ‘5M’ stages in a scientific approach. Each grain of assessment in the instrument is validated by the instrument expert and the evaluation with the result of all points of assessment shall be eligible to be used with a 100% eligibility percentage. The instrument is then tested for the quality of construction, material, and language by panel (lecturer) with the result: 85% or very good instrument construction aspect, material aspect 87.5% or very good, and language aspect 83% or very good. For small group trial obtained instrument reliability level of 0.878 or is in the high category, where r-table is 0.707. For large group trial obtained instrument reliability level of 0.889 or is in the high category, where r-table is 0.320. Instruments declared valid and reliable for 5% significance level. Based on the result of this research, it can be concluded that the student performance appraisal instrument based on the developed scientific approach is declared valid and reliable to be used in assessing student skill in SHM experimental activity.

A material based approach to creating wear resistant surfaces for hot forging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babu, Sailesh

Tools and dies used in metal forming are characterized by extremely high temperatures at the interface, high local pressures and large metal to metal sliding. These harsh conditions result in accelerated wear of tooling. Lubrication of tools, done to improve metal flow drastically quenches the surface layers of the tools and compounds the tool failure problem. This phenomenon becomes a serious issue when parts forged at complex and are expected to meet tight tolerances. Unpredictable and hence uncontrolled wear and degradation of tooling result in poor part quality and premature tool failure that result in high scrap, shop downtime, poor efficiency and high cost. The objective of this dissertation is to develop a computer-based methodology for analyzing the requirements hot forging tooling to resist wear and plastic deformation and wear and predicting life cycle of forge tooling. Development of such is a system is complicated by the fact that wear and degradation of tooling is influenced by not only the die material used but also numerous process controls like lubricant, dilution ratio, forging temperature, equipment used, tool geometries among others. Phenomenological models available u1 the literature give us a good thumb rule to selecting materials but do not provide a way to evaluate pits performance in field. Once a material is chosen, there are no proven approaches to create surfaces out of these materials. Coating approaches like PVD and CVD cannot generate thick coatings necessary to withstand the conditions under hot forging. Welding cannot generate complex surfaces without several secondary operations like heat treating and machining. If careful procedures are not followed, welds crack and seldom survive forging loads. There is a strong need for an approach to selectively, reliably and precisely deposit material of choice reliably on an existing surface which exhibit not only good tribological properties but also good adhesion to the substrate. Dissertation outlines development of a new cyclic contact test design to recreate intermittent tempering seen in hot forging. This test has been used to validate the use of tempering parameters in modeling of in-service softening of tool steel surfaces. The dissertation also outlines an industrial case study, conducted at a forging company, to validate the wear model. This dissertation also outlines efforts at Ohio State University, to deposit Nickel Aluminide on AISI H13 substrate, using Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS). Dissertation reports results from an array of experiments conducted using LENS 750 machine, at various power levels, table speeds and hatch spacing. Results pertaining to bond quality, surface finish, compositional gradients and hardness are provided. Also, a thermal-based finite element numerical model that was used to simulate the LENS process is presented, along with some demonstrated results.

A tutorial for developing a topical cream formulation based on the Quality by Design approach.

PubMed

Simões, Ana; Veiga, Francisco; Vitorino, Carla; Figueiras, Ana

2018-06-20

The pharmaceutical industry has entered in a new era, as there is a growing interest in increasing the quality standards of dosage forms, through the implementation of more structured development and manufacturing approaches. For many decades, the manufacturing of drug products was controlled by a regulatory framework to guarantee the quality of the final product through a fixed process and exhaustive testing. Limitations related to the Quality by Test (QbT) system have been widely acknowledged. The emergence of Quality by Design (QbD) as a systematic and risk-based approach introduced a new quality concept based on a good understanding of how raw materials and process parameters influence the final quality profile. Although the QbD system has been recognized as a revolutionary approach to product development and manufacturing, its full implementation in the pharmaceutical field is still limited. This is particularly evident in the case of semisolid complex formulation development. The present review aims at establishing a practical QbD framework to describe all stages comprised in the pharmaceutical development of a conventional cream in a comprehensible manner. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The quality assessment of radial and tangential neutron radiography beamlines of TRR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choopan Dastjerdi, M. H.; Movafeghi, A.; Khalafi, H.; Kasesaz, Y.

2017-07-01

To achieve a quality neutron radiographic image in a relatively short exposure time, the neutron radiography beam must be of good quality and relatively high neutron flux. Characterization of a neutron radiography beam, such as determination of the image quality and the neutron flux, is vital for producing quality radiographic images and also provides a means to compare the quality of different neutron radiography facilities. This paper provides a characterization of the radial and tangential neutron radiography beamlines at the Tehran research reactor. This work includes determination of the facilities category according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, and also uses the gold foils to determine the neutron beam flux. The radial neutron beam is a Category I neutron radiography facility, the highest possible quality level according to the ASTM. The tangential beam is a Category IV neutron radiography facility. Gold foil activation experiments show that the measured neutron flux for radial beamline with length-to-diameter ratio (L/D) =150 is 6.1× 106 n cm-2 s-1 and for tangential beamline with (L/D)=115 is 2.4× 104 n cm-2 s-1.

Good-quality social care for people with Parkinson’s disease: a qualitative study

PubMed Central

Kennedy, Fiona; Stocks, Amanda-Jayne; McDonnell, Ann; Ramaswamy, Bhanu; Wood, Brendan; Whitfield, Malcolm

2016-01-01

Objectives The study examines the meaning of good-quality social care for people with Parkinson's disease and their carers. It identifies, from their perspective, the impact of good-quality social care on health and well-being. Design Qualitative case study methodology, interview and framework analysis techniques were used. Setting: community locations in the north and midlands of England. Participants Data were collected from 43 participants including individual interviews with people with Parkinson's disease (n=4), formal and informal social care providers (n=13), 2 focus groups, 1 with people with Parkinson's disease and their carers (n=17), and 1 with professionals (n=8), plus a telephone interview with a former commissioner. Findings Good-quality social care, delivered in a timely fashion, was reported to have a positive impact on health. Furthermore, there is an indication that good-quality social care can prevent untoward events, such as infections, symptom deterioration and deterioration in mental health. The concept of the ‘Impact Gap’ developed from the findings, illustrates how the costs of care may be reduced by delivering good-quality social care. Control, choice and maintaining independence emerged as indicators of good-quality social care, irrespective of clinical condition. Participants identified characteristics indicative of good-quality social care specific to Parkinson's disease, including understanding Parkinson's disease, appropriate administration of medication, timing of care and reassessment. ‘Parkinson's aware’ social care was seen to generate psychological, physical and social benefits that were inter-related. Conclusions The findings indicate how maximising quality in social care delivery for people with Parkinson's disease can impact on health and well-being. Long-term or short-term benefits may result in prevented events and reductions in health and social care resource. Health professionals can be instrumental in early detection of and signposting to social care. PMID:26883233

Factors influencing the quality of Myrmecia pilosula (Jack Jumper) ant venom for use in in vitro and in vivo diagnoses of allergen sensitization and in allergen immunotherapy.

PubMed

Wanandy, T; Dwyer, H E; McLean, L; Davies, N W; Nichols, D; Gueven, N; Brown, S G A; Wiese, M D

2017-11-01

Allergen immunotherapy uses pharmaceutical preparations derived from naturally occurring source materials, which contain water-soluble allergenic components responsible for allergic reactions. The success of in vivo and in vitro diagnoses in allergen sensitization and allergen immunotherapy largely depends on the quality, composition and uniformity of allergenic materials used to produce the active ingredients, and the formulation employed to prepare finished products. We aimed to examine the factors influencing batch-to-batch consistency of Jack Jumper (Myrmecia pilosula) ant venom (JJAV) in the form of active pharmaceutical ingredient (AI) and informed whether factors such as temperature, artificial light and container materials influence the quality of JJAV AIs. We also aimed to establish handling and storage requirements of JJAV AIs to ensure preservation of allergenic activities during usage in the diagnosis of allergen sensitization and in allergen immunotherapy. The quality and consistency of JJAV AIs were analysed using a combination of bicinchoninic acid assay for total protein quantification, HPLC-UV for JJAV allergen peptides quantification, ELISA inhibition for total allergenic potency, SDS-PAGE, AU-PAGE and immunoblot for qualitative assessment of JJAV components, and Limulus Amebocyte Lysate assay for the quantification of endotoxin concentration. API-ZYM and Zymogram assays were used to probe the presence of enzymatic activities in JJAV. Pharmaceutical-grade JJAV for allergen immunotherapy has good batch-to-batch consistency. Temporary storage at 4°C and light exposure do not affect the quality of JJAV. Exposure to temperature above 40°C degrades high MW allergens in JJAV. Vials containing JJAV must be stored frozen and in upright position during long-term storage. We have identified factors, which can influence the quality and consistency of JJAV AIs, and provided a framework for appropriate handling, transporting and storage of JJAV to be used for the diagnosis of allergen sensitization and in AIT. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Evaluating the Good Ontology Design Guideline (GoodOD) with the Ontology Quality Requirements and Evaluation Method and Metrics (OQuaRE)

PubMed Central

Duque-Ramos, Astrid; Boeker, Martin; Jansen, Ludger; Schulz, Stefan; Iniesta, Miguela; Fernández-Breis, Jesualdo Tomás

2014-01-01

Objective To (1) evaluate the GoodOD guideline for ontology development by applying the OQuaRE evaluation method and metrics to the ontology artefacts that were produced by students in a randomized controlled trial, and (2) informally compare the OQuaRE evaluation method with gold standard and competency questions based evaluation methods, respectively. Background In the last decades many methods for ontology construction and ontology evaluation have been proposed. However, none of them has become a standard and there is no empirical evidence of comparative evaluation of such methods. This paper brings together GoodOD and OQuaRE. GoodOD is a guideline for developing robust ontologies. It was previously evaluated in a randomized controlled trial employing metrics based on gold standard ontologies and competency questions as outcome parameters. OQuaRE is a method for ontology quality evaluation which adapts the SQuaRE standard for software product quality to ontologies and has been successfully used for evaluating the quality of ontologies. Methods In this paper, we evaluate the effect of training in ontology construction based on the GoodOD guideline within the OQuaRE quality evaluation framework and compare the results with those obtained for the previous studies based on the same data. Results Our results show a significant effect of the GoodOD training over developed ontologies by topics: (a) a highly significant effect was detected in three topics from the analysis of the ontologies of untrained and trained students; (b) both positive and negative training effects with respect to the gold standard were found for five topics. Conclusion The GoodOD guideline had a significant effect over the quality of the ontologies developed. Our results show that GoodOD ontologies can be effectively evaluated using OQuaRE and that OQuaRE is able to provide additional useful information about the quality of the GoodOD ontologies. PMID:25148262

Evaluating the Good Ontology Design Guideline (GoodOD) with the ontology quality requirements and evaluation method and metrics (OQuaRE).

PubMed

Duque-Ramos, Astrid; Boeker, Martin; Jansen, Ludger; Schulz, Stefan; Iniesta, Miguela; Fernández-Breis, Jesualdo Tomás

2014-01-01

To (1) evaluate the GoodOD guideline for ontology development by applying the OQuaRE evaluation method and metrics to the ontology artefacts that were produced by students in a randomized controlled trial, and (2) informally compare the OQuaRE evaluation method with gold standard and competency questions based evaluation methods, respectively. In the last decades many methods for ontology construction and ontology evaluation have been proposed. However, none of them has become a standard and there is no empirical evidence of comparative evaluation of such methods. This paper brings together GoodOD and OQuaRE. GoodOD is a guideline for developing robust ontologies. It was previously evaluated in a randomized controlled trial employing metrics based on gold standard ontologies and competency questions as outcome parameters. OQuaRE is a method for ontology quality evaluation which adapts the SQuaRE standard for software product quality to ontologies and has been successfully used for evaluating the quality of ontologies. In this paper, we evaluate the effect of training in ontology construction based on the GoodOD guideline within the OQuaRE quality evaluation framework and compare the results with those obtained for the previous studies based on the same data. Our results show a significant effect of the GoodOD training over developed ontologies by topics: (a) a highly significant effect was detected in three topics from the analysis of the ontologies of untrained and trained students; (b) both positive and negative training effects with respect to the gold standard were found for five topics. The GoodOD guideline had a significant effect over the quality of the ontologies developed. Our results show that GoodOD ontologies can be effectively evaluated using OQuaRE and that OQuaRE is able to provide additional useful information about the quality of the GoodOD ontologies.

Insufficient quality of sputum submitted for tuberculosis diagnosis and associated factors, in Klaten district, Indonesia

PubMed Central

Sakundarno, Mateus; Nurjazuli, Nurjazuli; Jati, Sutopo Patria; Sariningdyah, Retna; Purwadi, Sumarsono; Alisjahbana, Bachti; van der Werf, Marieke J

2009-01-01

Background Sputum smear microscopy is the standard diagnostic method for detection of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Insufficient quality of sputum might result in missing cases. In this study we aimed at assessing the quality of sputum in a district in Central Java and determining patient and health worker factors associated with submission of three good quality sputum samples. Methods In 16 health centers information was collected on the quality of sputum submitted by TB suspects, i.e. volume, color, and viscosity. TB suspects were interviewed to assess their knowledge of TB, motivation to provide sputum and whether they were informed why and how to produce a sputum sample. Health workers were interviewed to assess what information they provided to TB suspects about the reason for sputum examination, methods to produce sputum and characteristics of a good quality sputum sample. All health worker and patient factors were evaluated for association with sputum quality. Results Of 387 TB suspects, 294 (76.0%) could be traced and interviewed, and of 272 (70.3%) information about sputum quality was available. Of those 203 (74.6%) submitted three samples, 90 (33.1%) provided at least one good sample, and 37 (13.6%) provided three good quality sputum samples. Of the 272 TB suspects, 168 (61.8%) mentioned that information on the reason for sputum examination was provided, 66 (24.3%) remembered that they were informed about how to produce sputum and 40 (14.7%) recalled being informed about the characteristics of good quality sputum. Paramedics reported to provide often/always information on the importance of sputum examination, and when to produce sputum. Information on how to produce sputum and characteristics of a good sputum sample was less often provided. None of the studied patient characteristics or health worker factors was associated with providing good quality sputum. Conclusion A considerable number of TB suspects did not provide three sputum samples and a large number of sputum samples were of insufficient quality. Training of health workers in providing health education to the TB suspect about the reason for sputum examination and how to produce a good quality sputum sample should be a priority of the TB program. PMID:19426477

19 CFR 10.599 - Fungible goods and materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... America-United States Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin § 10.599 Fungible goods and materials. (a... 19 Customs Duties 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Fungible goods and materials. 10.599 Section 10.599 Customs Duties U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY; DEPARTMENT OF...

Systems and processes that ensure high quality care.

PubMed

Bassett, Sally; Westmore, Kathryn

2012-10-01

This is the second in a series of articles examining the components of good corporate governance. It considers how the structures and processes for quality governance can affect an organisation's ability to be assured about the quality of care. Complex information systems and procedures can lead to poor quality care, but sound structures and processes alone are insufficient to ensure good governance, and behavioural factors play a significant part in making sure that staff are enabled to provide good quality care. The next article in this series looks at how the information reporting of an organisation can affect its governance.

MOF-5 decorated hierarchical ZnO nanorod arrays and its photoluminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yinmin; Lan, Ding; Wang, Yuren; Cao, He; Jiang, Heng

2011-04-01

The strategy to manipulate nanoscale materials into well-organized hierarchical architectures is very important to both material synthesis and nanodevice applications. Here, nanoscale MOF-5 crystallites were successfully fabricated onto ordered hierarchical ZnO arrays based on aqueous chemical synthesis and molecule self-assembly technology guided room temperature diffusion method, which has the advantages of energy saving and simple operation. The structures and morphologies of the samples were performed by X-ray powder diffraction and field emission scanning electronic microscopy. The MOF-5 crystallites have good quality and bind well to the hexagonal-patterned ZnO arrays. The photoluminescence spectrum shows that the emission of hybrid MOF-5-ZnO films displays a blue shift in green emission and intensity reduction in UV emission. This ordered hybrid semiconductor material is expected to exploit the great potentiality in sensors, micro/nanodevices, and screen displays.

Development of a new chlorogenic acid certified reference material for food and drug analysis.

PubMed

Yang, Dezhi; Jiao, LingTai; Zhang, Baoxi; Du, Guanhua; Lu, Yang

2017-06-05

This paper reports the preparation and characterization of a new chlorogenic acid (CHA) certified reference material (CRM), which is unavailable commercially. CHA is an active ingredient found in many geo-authentic Chinese medicinal materials and developed as an anti-cancer drug. In this work, trace impurities were isolated and identified through various techniques. CHA CRM was quantified with two analytical methods, and their results were in good agreement with each other. The certified value and corresponding expanded uncertainty of CHA CRM reached 99.4%±0.2%, which was calculated by multiplying the combined standard uncertainty by the coverage factor (k=2), at a confidence level of 95%. This CRM can be used to calibrate measurement system, evaluate or validate measurement procedures, assign traceable property values to non-CRMs, and conduct quality control assays. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Considerations for setting the specifications of vaccines.

PubMed

Minor, Philip

2012-05-01

The specifications of vaccines are determined by the particular product and its method of manufacture, which raise issues unique to the vaccine in question. However, the general principles are shared, including the need to have sufficient active material to immunize a very high proportion of recipients, an acceptable level of safety, which may require specific testing or may come from the production process, and an acceptable low level of contamination with unwanted materials, which may include infectious agents or materials used in production. These principles apply to the earliest smallpox vaccines and the most recent recombinant vaccines, such as those against HPV. Manufacturing development includes more precise definitions of the product through improved tests and tighter control of the process parameters. Good manufacturing practice plays a major role, which is likely to increase in importance in assuring product quality almost independent of end-product specifications.

High Curie temperature drive layer materials for ion-implanted magnetic bubble devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fratello, V. J.; Wolfe, R.; Blank, S. L.; Nelson, T. J.

1984-01-01

Ion implantation of bubble garnets can lower the Curie temperature by 70 C or more, thus limiting high temperature operation of devices with ion-implanted propagation patterns. Therefore, double-layer materials were made with a conventional 2-micron bubble storage layer capped by an ion-implantable drive layer of high Curie temperature, high magnetostriction material. Contiguous disk test patterns were implanted with varying doses of a typical triple implant. Quality of propagation was judged by quasistatic tests on 8-micron period major and minor loops. Variations of magnetization, uniaxial anisotropy, implant dose, and magnetostriction were investigated to ensure optimum flux matching, good charged wall coupling, and wide operating margins. The most successful drive layer compositions were in the systems (SmDyLuCa)3(FeSi)5O12 and (BiGdTmCa)3(FeSi)5O12 and had Curie temperatures 25-44 C higher than the storage layers.

Diversity, Physicochemical and Technological Characterization of Elite Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Cultivars of Bantè, a District of Central Benin

PubMed Central

Sanoussi, Abadjayé Faouziath; Loko, Laura Yéyinou; Ahissou, Hyacinthe; Adjahi, Adidjath Koubourath; Orobiyi, Azize; Agré, Angelot Paterne; Azokpota, Paulin; Dansi, Alexandre; Sanni, Ambaliou

2015-01-01

Cassava is one of the staple food crops contributing significantly to food and nutrition security in Benin. This study aimed to assess the diversity of the elite cassava cultivars of Bantè district, determine the physicochemical properties of the most preferred ones as well as the sensory attributes of their major derived products (gari and tapioca), and compare them with the farmers' and processors' perception on their technological qualities. The ethnobotanical investigation revealed existence of 40 cultivars including 9 elites that were further classified into three groups based on agronomics and technological and culinary properties. Clustered together, cultivars Idilèrou, Monlèkangan, and Odohoungbo characterized by low fiber content, high yield of gari and tapioca, and good in-ground postmaturity storage were the most preferred ones. Their physicochemical analysis revealed good rate of dry matters (39.8% to 41.13%), starch (24.47% to 25.5%) and total sugars (39.46% to 41.13%), low fiber (0.80% to 1.02%), and cyanide (50 mg/kg) contents. The sensory analysis of their gari and tapioca revealed very well appreciated (taste, color, and texture) products by the consumers. The confirmation by scientific analysis of the farmers' perception on qualities of the most preferred cultivars indicated that they have good knowledge of their materials. PMID:26693522

Diversity, Physicochemical and Technological Characterization of Elite Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Cultivars of Bantè, a District of Central Benin.

PubMed

Sanoussi, Abadjayé Faouziath; Loko, Laura Yéyinou; Ahissou, Hyacinthe; Adjahi, Adidjath Koubourath; Orobiyi, Azize; Agré, Angelot Paterne; Azokpota, Paulin; Dansi, Alexandre; Sanni, Ambaliou

2015-01-01

Cassava is one of the staple food crops contributing significantly to food and nutrition security in Benin. This study aimed to assess the diversity of the elite cassava cultivars of Bantè district, determine the physicochemical properties of the most preferred ones as well as the sensory attributes of their major derived products (gari and tapioca), and compare them with the farmers' and processors' perception on their technological qualities. The ethnobotanical investigation revealed existence of 40 cultivars including 9 elites that were further classified into three groups based on agronomics and technological and culinary properties. Clustered together, cultivars Idilèrou, Monlèkangan, and Odohoungbo characterized by low fiber content, high yield of gari and tapioca, and good in-ground postmaturity storage were the most preferred ones. Their physicochemical analysis revealed good rate of dry matters (39.8% to 41.13%), starch (24.47% to 25.5%) and total sugars (39.46% to 41.13%), low fiber (0.80% to 1.02%), and cyanide (50 mg/kg) contents. The sensory analysis of their gari and tapioca revealed very well appreciated (taste, color, and texture) products by the consumers. The confirmation by scientific analysis of the farmers' perception on qualities of the most preferred cultivars indicated that they have good knowledge of their materials.

Fabrication of microwave guides using high-Tc superconductors. Final report, 15 July 1989-14 January 1990

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

Trivedi, S.B.

1990-01-14

The objective of this study was to produce bulk high Tc superconductor YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-x} with microwave conductivity at least as good or better than that of copper. The subsequent aim was to fabricate cylindrical wave guide using this material. The ultimate goal of this study is to produce YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-x} with microwave conductivity exceedingly higher (at least two orders of magnitude better) than that of copper. In principle, this is possible if the microstructure of the superconductor material is carefully controlled. The above-stated goal could be easily achieved if the large single crystals of YBa{sub 2}Cu{submore » 3}O{sub 7-x} are available or if the inside surface of a suitable substrate material in the form of hollow cylinder, could be coated with the superconductor material of high quality. The former approach, currently, seems to be far from practical realization.« less

Proving the viability of manufacturing of multi-layer steel/vanadium alloy/steel composite tubes by numerical simulations and experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nechaykina, T.; Nikulin, S.; Rozhnov, A.; Molotnikov, A.; Zavodchikov, S.; Estrin, Y.

2018-05-01

Vanadium alloys are promising structural materials for fuel cladding tubes for fast-neutron reactors. However, high solubility of oxygen and nitrogen in vanadium alloys at operating temperatures of 700 °C limits their application. In this work, we present a novel composite structure consisting of vanadium alloy V-4Ti-4Cr (provides high long-term strength of the material) and stainless steel Fe-0.2C-13Cr (as a corrosion resistant protective layer). It is produced by co-extrusion of these materials forming a three-layered tube. Finite element simulations were utilised to explore the influence of the various co-extrusion parameters on manufacturability of multi-layered tubes. Experimental verification of the numerical modelling was performed using co-extrusion with the process parameters suggested by the numerical simulations. Scanning electron microscopy and microhardness measurements revealed a defect-free diffusion layer at the interfaces between both materials indicating a good quality bonding for these co-extrusion conditions.

In pursuit of goodness in bioethics: analysis of an exemplary article.

PubMed

Hofmann, Bjørn; Magelssen, Morten

2018-06-15

What is good bioethics? Addressing this question is key for reinforcing and developing the field. In particular, a discussion of potential quality criteria can heighten awareness and contribute to the quality of bioethics publications. Accordingly, the objective of this article is threefold: first, we want to identify a set of criteria for quality in bioethics. Second, we want to illustrate the added value of a novel method: in-depth analysis of a single article with the aim of deriving quality criteria. The third and ultimate goal is to stimulate a broad and vivid debate on goodness in bioethics. An initial literature search reveals a range of diverse quality criteria. In order to expand on the realm of such quality criteria, we perform an in-depth analysis of an article that is acclaimed for being exemplary. The analysis results in eleven specific quality criteria for good bioethics in three categories: argumentative, empirical, and dialectic. Although we do not claim that the identified criteria are universal or absolute, we argue that they are fruitful for fueling a continuous constitutive debate on what is "good bioethics." Identifying, debating, refining, and applying such criteria is an important part of defining and improving bioethics.

THE APPLICATION OF RADIOISOTOPES IN SHIPBUILDING FOR NONDESTRUCTIVE MATERIAL TESTING

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

Gerlach, H.

1962-02-01

S>Safety and reliability in shipbuilding require exact testing methods for all materials, such as plates, sheets, rods, cast pieces, welded joints, etc. Non-visible defects in parts exposed to great stress may cause great damages. Since both x-ray and gamma radiography can detect these defects, a choice has to be made between these radiation sources. ln general, for very thick pieces, gamma emitters such as Co/sup 60/ or Ta/sup 182/ are used; for medium thick pieces, gamma emitters, such as Ir/sup 192/ or Cs/sup 137/ are used; for very thin pieces weak gamma emitters, such as Eu/sup 155/ or x raysmore » are used. There is no competition between x rays and gamma rays in nondestructive testing because both methods supplement each other. The tcchnical and economical advantages and disadvantages of both methods are discussed. In shipbuilding, Ir/ sup 192/ has extremely good irradiation qualities for sheets from 6 to 50 mm thick and is superior to the x-ray method for checking welds of sheets of this thickness. However, for materials thicker than 50 mm x rays are useless, and defects in this material must be located with hard gamma emitters, such as Co/ sup 60/. Recently, mobile test stations with radioisotopes were established which are of great value for checking and quality control in shipbuilding at the shipyard. (OID)« less

Exploring the concept of quality care for the person who is dying.

PubMed

Stefanou, Nichola; Faircloth, Sandra

2010-12-01

The concept of good quality care for the patient who is dying is diverse and complex. Many of the actions that are being taken to increase the quality of care of the dying patient are based around outcome, uniformity of service and standardization of process. There are two main areas that are referred to when dealing with care of the dying patient; end-of-life care and palliative care. High quality end-of-life care is increasingly recognized as an ethical obligation of health-care providers, clinicians and organizations, and yet there appears little evidence from the patients' perspective. There are many national and local initiatives taking place to improve the quality of care people receive towards the end of their life. This being said initiatives alone will not achieve good quality care and deliver good patient experiences. Only clinicians working at the front line can truly influence the way in which quality is improved and good experiences delivered.

Quality of Life Among HIV-Infected Patients in Brazil after Initiation of Treatment

PubMed Central

Campos, Lorenza Nogueira; César, Cibele Comini; Guimarães, Mark Drew Crosland

2009-01-01

INTRODUCTION Despite improvement in clinical treatment for HIV-infected patients, the impact of antiretroviral therapy on the overall quality of life has become a major concern. OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with increased levels of self-reported quality of life among HIV-infected patients after four months of antiretroviral therapy. METHODS Patients were recruited at two public health referral centers for AIDS, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, for a prospective adherence study. Patients were interviewed before initiating treatment (baseline) and after one and four months. Quality of life was assessed using a psychometric instrument, and factors associated with good/very good quality of life four months after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy were assessed using a cross-sectional approach. Logistic regression was used for analysis. RESULTS Overall quality of life was classified as ‘very good/good’ by 66.4% of the participants four months after initiating treatment, while 33.6% classified it as ‘neither poor nor good/poor/very poor’. Logistic regression indicated that >8 years of education, none/mild symptoms of anxiety and depression, no antiretroviral switch, lower number of adverse reactions and better quality of life at baseline were independently associated with good/very good quality of life over four months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the importance of modifiable factors such as psychiatric symptoms and treatment-related variables that may contribute to a better quality of life among patients initiating treatment. Considering that poor quality of life is related to non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy, careful clinical monitoring of these factors may contribute to ensuring the long-term effectiveness of antiretroviral regimens. PMID:19759880

Has compliance with CLIA requirements really improved quality in US clinical laboratories?

PubMed

Ehrmeyer, Sharon S; Laessig, Ronald H

2004-08-02

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA'88) mandate universal requirements for all U.S. clinical laboratory-testing sites. The intent of CLIA'88 is to ensure quality testing through a combination of minimum quality practices that incorporate total quality management concepts. These regulations do not contain established, objective indicators or measures to assess quality. However, there is an implicit assumption that compliance with traditionally accepted good laboratory practices--following manufacturers' directions, routinely analysing quality control materials, applying quality assurance principles, employing and assessing competent testing personnel, and participating in external quality assessment or proficiency testing (PT)--will result in improved test quality. The CLIA'88 regulations do include PT performance standards, which intentionally or unintentionally, define intra-laboratory performance. Passing PT has become a prime motivation for improving laboratory performance; it can also be used as an objective indicator to assess whether compliance to CLIA has improved intra-laboratory quality. Data from 1994 through 2002 indicate that the percentage of laboratories passing PT has increased. In addition to PT performance, subjective indicators of improved quality--frequency of inspection deficiencies, the number of government sanctions for non-compliance, and customer satisfaction--were evaluated. The results from these subjective indicators are more difficult to interpret but also seem to show improved quality in US clinical laboratories eleven years post-CLIA'88.

The improvement of surface roughness by polishing method of arcylic door panel at Taishi Tech Sdn Bhd

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basirin, Hammadi bin Mohd; Nawi, Ismail bin Haji Mohd

2017-04-01

This research is an approach to improve the surface roughness for acrylic door panel by using polishing process. The polishing process involve is sanding process by 3 types of sand paper. The sanding process used to improve the surface roughness by using the different grit sizes of sand paper. The experiment was done by using two types of material s, that is plywood and medium density board (MDF). These two materials are the main materials in producing the arcrylic door panel. The surface roughness of these two materials affects the qualities and quantities of the acrylic door panel. The surface structure was measured by using Optical Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and the surface roughness was measured by using Mitutoyo surfest SJ 400 Tester. Results indicates that using the different types of grit are influence the surface roughness of the material. When the higher types of grit sizes had been used, the average roughness of the surface are decrease. In summary, a good surface roughness condition produced when using the higher types of grit sizes sand paper.

Developing optic technologies in Belarus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubanov, Alexander S.; Shkadarevich, Alexei P.

2001-03-01

In this work we give a retrospective analysis of the development of optical technologies in Belarus. In the post-war period a great scientific and technological potential has been built up in this sphere, highly skilled specialist have been trained and prestigious scientific and technical schools have appeared. Belarusian multiprofile optical industry is noticed to be capable of producing not only the materials and equipment for optical production but also optical goods of the highest level of complication. The characteristics of cosmic photoequipment, photogrammetric and cinetheodolite techniques, a variety of laser devices and optical goods for civic purposes are given as an example. The instances demonstrating the realization of unique optical projects are considered as well. High quality of Belarusian optical production makes it be much in demand in Russia, Japan, USA, Germany, France, China, Korea, Sweden, Spain, England, United Arab Emirates and other countries.

Dry Ribbon for Heated Head Automated Fiber Placement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hulcher, A. Bruce; Marchello, Joseph M.; Hinkley, Jeffrey A.; Johnston, Norman J.; Lamontia, Mark A.

2000-01-01

Ply-by-ply in situ processes involving automated heated head deposition are being developed for fabrication of high performance, high temperature composite structures from low volatile content polymer matrices. This technology requires (1) dry carbon fiber towpreg, (2) consolidation of towpreg to quality, placement-grade unidirectional ribbon or tape, and (3) rapid, in situ, accurate, ply-by-ply robotic placement and consolidation of this material to fabricate a composite structure. In this study, the physical properties of a candidate thermoplastic ribbon, PIXA/IM7, were evaluated and screened for suitability in robotic placement. Specifically, towpreg was prepared from PIXA powder. Various conditions (temperatures) were used to convert the powder-coated towpreg to ribbons with varying degrees of processability. Ribbon within preset specifications was fabricated at 3 temperatures: 390, 400 and 410 C. Ribbon was also produced out-of-spec by purposely overheating the material to a processing temperature of 450 C. Automated placement equipment at Cincinnati Milacron and NASA Langley was used to fabricate laminates from these experimental ribbons. Ribbons were placed at 405 and 450 C by both sets of equipment. Double cantilever beam and wedge peel tests were used to determine the quality of the laminates and, especially, the interlaminar bond formed during the placement process. Ribbon made under conditions expected to be non-optimal (overheated) resulted in poor placeability and composites with weak interlaminar bond strengths, regardless of placement conditions. Ribbon made under conditions expected to be ideal showed good processability and produced well-consolidated laminates. Results were consistent from machine to machine and demonstrated the importance of ribbon quality in heated-head placement of dry material forms. Preliminary screening criteria for the development and evaluation of ribbon from new matrix materials were validated.

Production of alcohol from Jerusalem artichoke for gasoline additive. Proucavanje mogucnosti proizvodnje alkohola iz topinambura kao dodatka u benzin

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

Pekic, B.; Kisgeci, J.

1984-01-01

Trials conducted in 1980 and 1981 on three soil types, chernozem (a rich soil), anthropogenized black sand (a medium-rich soil), and anthropogenized brown sand (a poor soil), showed that the Jerusalem artichoke was superior to conventional field crops (corn, sugarbeet, potato, and sorghum) regarding the yield of carbohydrates per unit area, especially when grown on the poor soil. The analyses of the technological properties of Jerusalem artichokes grown for two years in the experimental plots showed that the plant species is a quality raw material for the production of alcohol. From the aspect of alcohol production, the quality of themore » tested varieties of Jerusalem artichoke depended neither on soil quality nor on the delay in harvesting the crop after it reached technological maturity. The results of the study indicate that the alcohol production from Jerusalem artichokes would be more economic, i.e., more profitable, than the production from conventional raw materials. The study of the carbohydrate composition of Jerusalem artichoke tubers made it clear that besides alcohol production, Jerusalem artichokes are a good raw material for the production of high-fructose syrup and crystalline fructose. Since the interest in these products kept increasing in recent years, because of their exceptional characters, it is necessary to establish research programs to cover these field too. In the course of the study the authors came across some interesting literature data on the use of Jerusalem artichokes as a raw material for the production of high-fructose syrup and crystalline fructose. Some of the publication, i.e., those that might be useful in further research work, are appended to this study.« less

Quality of Life of Nepalese Women Post Mastectomy

PubMed

Maharjan, Muna; Thapa, Niresh; Adhikari, Raj Devi; Petrini, Marcia A; Amatya, Kapendra Shekhar

2018-04-25

Introduction: Worldwide breast cancer is the common invasive cancer among the females. The quality of life of women after treatment, which is often a mastectomy, is frequently decreased. Objective: To determine the life quality of Nepalese women post mastectomy. Materials and Methods: One hundred seven women after a mastectomy were selected and interviewed by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire and its Breast Specific Module to assess women’s quality of life. Result: The study findings revealed a good score on global health status/quality of life. The respondents performed well on functional and symptom scales. In the Breast Specific Module, all respondents performed poor regarding sexual function and sexual enjoyment. Global Health Status was found useful among the women involved in service/business/agriculture and the survivors using breast prosthesis. In Breast Specific Module, systemic therapy side effects showed strong statistical associations with age, marital status, occupation, education, use of breast prosthesis and co-morbidity. Body image was highly significant with age, occupation, education, use of breast prosthesis and co-morbidity. Conclusion: Based on the study findings, counseling, and a structured educational programme is recommended to improve the QOL of women after a mastectomy. Creative Commons Attribution License

Direct Reduction of Iron Ore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Small, M.

1981-04-01

In the search for a pure, available iron source, steelmakers are focusing their attention on Directly Reduced Iron (DRI). This material is produced by the reaction of a low gangue iron ore with a hydrocarbonaceous substance. Commercially, DRI is generated in four different reactors: shaft (moving-bed), rotary kiln, fluidized bed, and retort (fixed-bed). Annual worldwide production capacity approaches 33 million metric tons. Detailed assessments have been made of the uses of DRI, especially as a substitute for scrap in electric furnace (EF) steelmaking. DRI is generally of a quality superior to current grades of scrap, with steels produced more efficiently in the EF and containing lower levels of impurities. However, present economics favor EF steel production with scrap. But this situation could change within this decade because of a developing scarcity of good quality scrap.

Methods of measurement for semiconductor materials, process control, and devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bullis, W. M. (Editor)

1972-01-01

Significant accomplishments include development of a procedure to correct for the substantial differences of transistor delay time as measured with different instruments or with the same instrument at different frequencies; association of infrared response spectra of poor quality germanium gamma ray detectors with spectra of detectors fabricated from portions of a good crystal that had been degraded in known ways; and confirmation of the excellent quality and cosmetic appearance of ultrasonic bonds made with aluminum ribbon wire. Work is continuing on measurement of resistivity of semiconductor crystals; study of gold-doped silicon, development of the infrared response technique; evaluation of wire bonds and die attachment; and measurement of thermal properties of semiconductor devices, delay time and related carrier transport properties in junction devices, and noise properties of microwave diodes.

Friction Stir Welding in Wrought and Cast Aluminum Alloys: Weld Quality Evaluation and Effects of Processing Parameters on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Yi; Lados, Diana A.

2017-04-01

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state process widely used for joining similar and dissimilar materials for critical applications in the transportation sector. Understanding the effects of the process on microstructure and mechanical properties is critical in design for structural integrity. In this study, four aluminum alloy systems (wrought 6061-T651 and cast A356, 319, and A390) were processed in both as-fabricated and pre-weld heat-treated (T6) conditions using various processing parameters. The effects of processing and heat treatment on the resulting microstructures, macro-/micro-hardness, and tensile properties were systematically investigated and mechanistically correlated to changes in grain size, characteristic phases, and strengthening precipitates. Tensile tests were performed at room temperature both along and across the welding zones. A new method able to evaluate weld quality (using a weld quality index) was developed based on the stress concentration calculated under tensile loading. Optimum processing parameter domains that provide both defect-free welds and good mechanical properties were determined for each alloy and associated with the thermal history of the process. These results were further related to characteristic microstructural features, which can be used for component design and materials/process optimization.

A Korean survey on qualities and definition of a good psychiatrist.

PubMed

Kim, Ji Hyun; Tor, Phern-Chern; King, Joel; Seo, Jeong Seok

2015-05-01

The definition of a "good" psychiatrist has varied over the past decades due to changing roles of psychiatrists. Studies on the qualities of "good" psychiatrists have been completed in many countries. However, no such study has been undertaken in Korea. In Korea, recent growing interest in psychiatry demands the identification of qualities for a good psychiatrist. The purpose of this study was to define the qualities of a good psychiatrist in Korea, subsequently facilitating the improvement of psychiatric training programs. The questionnaire was based on a Singaporean survey with the permission from the original authors. Respondents were divided into patient group and psychiatrist group. The 40-item questionnaire contained items grouped into four themes: Professional, Personal Values, Academic Executive and Relationship. Of the four themes, both patient and psychiatrist groups considered Professional as the most important, whereas Academic Executive as the least important. The mean scores for all items of each theme in the patient group were higher than those in the psychiatrist group, reflecting higher expectations for good psychiatrist in the patient group. Patients emphasized Relationship more than psychiatrists did. It is concluded that a good psychiatrist in Korea can be defined as "a good communicator and listener with a professional manner, who respects confidentiality and has good doctor-patient relationships."

Fate of the naturally occurring radioactive materials during treatment of acid mine drainage with coal fly ash and aluminium hydroxide.

PubMed

Madzivire, Godfrey; Maleka, Peane P; Vadapalli, Viswanath R K; Gitari, Wilson M; Lindsay, Robert; Petrik, Leslie F

2014-01-15

Mining of coal is very extensive and coal is mainly used to produce electricity. Coal power stations generate huge amounts of coal fly ash of which a small amount is used in the construction industry. Mining exposes pyrite containing rocks to H2O and O2. This results in the oxidation of FeS2 to form H2SO4. The acidic water, often termed acid mine drainage (AMD), causes dissolution of potentially toxic elements such as, Fe, Al, Mn and naturally occurring radioactive materials such as U and Th from the associated bedrock. This results in an outflow of AMD with high concentrations of sulphate ions, Fe, Al, Mn and naturally occurring radioactive materials. Treatment of AMD with coal fly ash has shown that good quality water can be produced which is suitable for irrigation purposes. Most of the potentially toxic elements (Fe, Al, Mn, etc) and substantial amounts of sulphate ions are removed during treatment with coal fly ash. This research endeavours to establish the fate of the radioactive materials in mine water with coal fly ash containing radioactive materials. It was established that coal fly ash treatment method was capable of removing radioactive materials from mine water to within the target water quality range for drinking water standards. The alpha and beta radioactivity of the mine water was reduced by 88% and 75% respectively. The reduced radioactivity in the mine water was due to greater than 90% removal of U and Th radioactive materials from the mine water after treatment with coal fly ash as ThO2 and UO2. No radioisotopes were found to leach from the coal fly ash into the mine water. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Discussion on research thinking of traditional Chinese medicine standardization system based on whole process quality control].

PubMed

Dong, Ling; Sun, Yu; Pei, Wen-Xuan; Dai, Jun-Dong; Wang, Zi-Yu; Pan, Meng; Chen, Jiang-Peng; Wang, Yun

2017-12-01

The concept of "Quality by design" indicates that good design for the whole life cycle of pharmaceutical production enables the drug to meet the expected quality requirements. Aiming at the existing problems of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry, the TCM standardization system was put forward in this paper from the national strategic level, under the guidance by the idea of quality control in international manufacturing industry and with considerations of TCM industry's own characteristics and development status. The connotation of this strategy was to establish five interrelated systems: multi-indicators system based on tri-indicators system, quality standard and specification system of TCM herbal materials and decoction pieces, quality traceability system, data monitoring system based on whole-process quality control, and whole-process quality management system of TCM, and achieve the whole process systematic and scientific study in TCM industry through "top-level design-implement in steps-system integration" workflow. This article analyzed the correlation between the quality standards of all links, established standard operating procedures of each link and whole process, and constructed a high standard overall quality management system for TCM industry chains, in order to provide a demonstration for the establishment of TCM whole-process quality control system and provide systematic reference and basis for standardization strategy in TCM industry. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Prevalence and impacts of poor sleep on quality of life and associated factors of good sleepers in a sample of older Chinese adults.

PubMed

Lo, Catherine M H; Lee, Paul H

2012-06-18

Sleep disturbance is a complex health problem in ageing global populations decreasing quality of life among many older people. Geographic, cultural, and ethnic differences in sleep patterns have been documented within and between Western and Asian populations. The aim of this study was to explore sleep problems among Hong Kong seniors by examining the prevalence of poor sleep quality, the relationship between sleep quality and health-related quality of life, and associated factors of good sleepers in different age groups. This cross-sectional study used convenience sampling and gathered data during face-to-face interviews. Older community-dwelling individuals (n = 301) were recruited in community centres in 2010. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 were used to measure sleep quality and health-related quality of life. The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 domain scores were compared between good and bad sleepers and between long and short sleepers using Hotelling's T-Square test. SF-36 domain scores were placed into a logistic regression model that controlled for significant demographic variables (gender, educational level, perceived health). Most (77.7%) participants were poor sleepers. Participants who had global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores <5 and slept ≥5.5 h/night had better health-related quality of life. Vitality, emotional role, physical functioning, and bodily pain domain scores were associated factors of good sleepers in different age groups. This study found a strong negative association between sleep deprivation (poor quality, short duration) and health-related quality of life. Associated factors for good sleep quality in later life differ among age groups in relation to universal age-related changes, and should be addressed by social policies and health-care programmes.

Toxic reagents and expensive equipment: are they really necessary for the extraction of good quality fungal DNA?

PubMed

Rodrigues, P; Venâncio, A; Lima, N

2018-01-01

The aim of this work was to evaluate a fungal DNA extraction procedure with the lowest inputs in terms of time as well as of expensive and toxic chemicals, but able to consistently produce genomic DNA of good quality for PCR purposes. Two types of fungal biological material were tested - mycelium and conidia - combined with two protocols for DNA extraction using Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) and Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide as extraction buffers and glass beads for mechanical disruption of cell walls. Our results showed that conidia and SDS buffer was the combination that lead to the best DNA quality and yield, with the lowest variation between samples. This study clearly demonstrates that it is possible to obtain high yield and pure DNA from pigmented conidia without the use of strong cell disrupting procedures and of toxic reagents. There are numerous methods for DNA extraction from fungi. Some rely on expensive commercial kits and/or equipments, unavailable for many laboratories, or make use of toxic chemicals such as chloroform, phenol and mercaptoethanol. This study clearly demonstrates that it is possible to obtain high yields of pure DNA from pigmented conidia without the use of strong and expensive cell disrupting procedures and of toxic reagents. The method herein described is simultaneously inexpensive and adequate to DNA extraction from several different types of fungi. © 2017 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

[Meaningful words? Cancer screening communication in Italy].

PubMed

Cogo, Carla; Petrella, Marco

2012-01-01

Over the last ten years, Italian work groups of communication within The National Centre for Screening Monitoring have been working on various aspects of communication in screening: quality surveys, information materials, guidelines, websites, and training. This has been done taking into account that good quality information must be clear, accessible, up to date, evidence based, clear about its limitations and capable of indicating further sources of information. Whenever possible, information has been developed in collaboration with the target groups: citizens but also health professionals. However, if good quality information must be clear about benefits and harms, the communication of quantitative information is particularly complex in cancer screening. Moreover, receiving more information on risks and benefits does not seem to modify participation. In addition, more balanced information does not entail that a person will include it in the decision process.Throughout several focus groups, citizens have made it clear that the information received from the programmes was only a part of the decisional process in which other elements were just as, if not more, important: trust in doctors, family and friends, perception of health authority efficiency, personal experiences, inconsistencies in information or public disagreements with other credible sources. Such elements can be seen as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with professional and advocacy groups and to cooperate more efficiently with media and specialists from different fields.

Applicability of biotechnologically produced insect silks.

PubMed

Herold, Heike M; Scheibel, Thomas

2017-09-26

Silks are structural proteins produced by arthropods. Besides the well-known cocoon silk, which is produced by larvae of the silk moth Bombyx mori to undergo metamorphosis inside their silken shelter (and which is also used for textile production by men since millennia), numerous further less known silk-producing animals exist. The ability to produce silk evolved multiple independent times during evolution, and the fact that silk was subject to convergent evolution gave rise to an abundant natural diversity of silk proteins. Silks are used in air, under water, or like honey bee silk in the hydrophobic, waxen environment of the bee hive. The good mechanical properties of insect silk fibres together with their non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable nature renders these materials appealing for both technical and biomedical applications. Although nature provides a great diversity of material properties, the variation in quality inherent in materials from natural sources together with low availability (except from silkworm silk) impeded the development of applications of silks. To overcome these two drawbacks, in recent years, recombinant silks gained more and more interest, as the biotechnological production of silk proteins allows for a scalable production at constant quality. This review summarises recent developments in recombinant silk production as well as technical procedures to process recombinant silk proteins into fibres, films, and hydrogels.

[Analysis of different pipe corrosion by ESEM and bacteria identification by API in pilot distribution network].

PubMed

Wu, Qing; Zhao, Xinhua; Yu, Qing; Li, Jun

2008-07-01

To understand the corrosion of different material water supply pipelines and bacterium in drinking water and biofilms. A pilot distribution network was built and water quality detection was made on popular pipelines of galvanized iron pipe, PPR and ABS plastic pipes by ESEM (environmental scanning electron microscopy). Bacterium in drinking water and biofilms were identified by API Bacteria Identification System 10s and 20E (Biomerieux, France), and pathogenicity of bacterium were estimated. Galvanized zinc pipes were seriously corroded; there were thin layers on inner face of PPR and ABS plastic pipes. 10 bacterium (got from water samples) were identified by API10S, in which 7 bacterium were opportunistic pathogens. 21 bacterium (got from water and biofilms samples) were identified by API20E, in which 5 bacterium were pathogens and 11 bacterium were opportunistic pathogens and 5 bacteria were not reported for their pathogenicities to human beings. The bacterial water quality of drinking water distribution networks were not good. Most bacterium in drinking water and biofilms on the inner face of pipeline of the drinking water distribution network were opportunistic pathogens, it could cause serious water supply accident, if bacteria spread in suitable conditions. In the aspect of pipe material, old pipelines should be changed by new material pipes.

Optimization of waste combinations during in-vessel composting of agricultural waste.

PubMed

Varma, V Sudharsan; Kalamdhad, Ajay S; Kumar, Bimlesh

2017-01-01

In-vessel composting of agricultural waste is a well-described approach for stabilization of compost within a short time period. Although composting studies have shown the different combinations of waste materials for producing good quality compost, studies of the particular ratio of the waste materials in the mix are still limited. In the present study, composting was conducted with a combination of vegetable waste, cow dung, sawdust and dry leaves using a 550 L rotary drum composter. Application of a radial basis functional neural network was used to simulate the composting process. The model utilizes physico-chemical parameters with different waste materials as input variables and three output variables: volatile solids, soluble biochemical oxygen demand and carbon dioxide evolution. For the selected model, the coefficient of determination reached the high value of 0.997. The complicated interaction of agricultural waste components during composting makes it a nonlinear problem so it is difficult to find the optimal waste combinations for producing quality compost. Optimization of a trained radial basis functional model has yielded the optimal proportion as 62 kg, 17 kg and 9 kg for vegetable waste, cow dung and sawdust, respectively. The results showed that the predictive radial basis functional model described for drum composting of agricultural waste was well suited for organic matter degradation and can be successfully applied.

Design of a thin-plate based tunable high-quality narrow passband filter for elastic transverse waves propagate in metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, J.; Zeng, L. H.; Hu, C. L.; Yan, W. S.; Pennec, Yan; Hu, N.

2018-03-01

For the elastic SV (transverse) waves in metals, a high-quality narrow passband filter that consists of aligned parallel thin plates with small gaps is designed. In order to obtain a good performance, the thin plates should be constituted by materials with a smaller mass density and Young's modulus, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), compared to the embedded materials in which the elastic SV waves propagate. Both the theoretical model and the full numerical simulation show that the transmission spectrum of the designed filter demonstrates several peaks with flawless transmission within 0 KHz ˜20 KHz frequency range. The peaks can be readily tuned by manipulating the geometrical parameters of the plates. Therefore, the current design works well for both low and high frequencies with a controllable size. Even for low frequencies on the order of kilohertz, the size of this filter can be still limited to the order of centimeters, which significantly benefits the real applications. The investigation also finds that the same filter is valid when using different metals and the reason behind this is explained theoretically. Additionally, the effect of bonding conditions of interfaces between thin plates and the base material is investigated using a spring model.

Quality of family planning services in primary health centers of Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.

PubMed

Tafese, Fikru; Woldie, Mirkuzie; Megerssa, Berhane

2013-11-01

Good quality of care in family planning (FP) services help individuals and couples to meet their reproductive health needs safely and effectively. Therefore, assessment and improvement of the quality of family planning services could enhance family planning services utilization. This study was thus conducted to assess the quality of family planning services in primary health centers of Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional facility based study was conducted from March 1(st)-25(th), 2011 among family planning clients of government primary health care centers in southwest Ethiopia. Exit interview of 301 family planning clients identified through systematic random sampling technique was carried out using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Availability of resources was checked using provider interview and inventory checklist. Moreover, a total of 150 consultation sessions were observed using checklist. Descriptive statistics and linear regression coefficients were generated to meet the objective of the study. There was a shortage of some medical equipment, trained staffs, and information education and communication materials (IEC) in all of the family planning clinics. The mean waiting time at the service delivery points and consultation duration were 16.4 and 10.5 minutes, respectively. The providers used at least one information education and communication material in 33.3% of the consultation sessions. The overall satisfaction score was 8.64. Clients' perception on adequacy of information during consultation (β=0.24; ( 95%CI=0.02-0.16) ease of getting the clinic site, short waiting time (β=0.17; 95%CI=0.15-029) and educational level (β=0.09; 95%CI =0.09-0.29) were significantly associated with overall satisfaction. The findings of this study showed that there was lack of critical resources for the provision of quality family planning services in all of the primary health care centers included in the study. This has affected important aspects of service provision including the use of IEC materials during consultations. Hence, it is advisable that health managers of the health facilities and the district health office ensure improved availability of trained personnel, IEC materials and other supplies at the clinics.

Two-dimensional antimonene single crystals grown by van der Waals epitaxy.

PubMed

Ji, Jianping; Song, Xiufeng; Liu, Jizi; Yan, Zhong; Huo, Chengxue; Zhang, Shengli; Su, Meng; Liao, Lei; Wang, Wenhui; Ni, Zhenhua; Hao, Yufeng; Zeng, Haibo

2016-11-15

Unlike the unstable black phosphorous, another two-dimensional group-VA material, antimonene, was recently predicted to exhibit good stability and remarkable physical properties. However, the synthesis of high-quality monolayer or few-layer antimonenes, sparsely reported, has greatly hindered the development of this new field. Here, we report the van der Waals epitaxy growth of few-layer antimonene monocrystalline polygons, their atomical microstructure and stability in ambient condition. The high-quality, few-layer antimonene monocrystalline polygons can be synthesized on various substrates, including flexible ones, via van der Waals epitaxy growth. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the obtained antimonene polygons have buckled rhombohedral atomic structure, consistent with the theoretically predicted most stable β-phase allotrope. The very high stability of antimonenes was observed after aging in air for 30 days. First-principle and molecular dynamics simulation results confirmed that compared with phosphorene, antimonene is less likely to be oxidized and possesses higher thermodynamic stability in oxygen atmosphere at room temperature. Moreover, antimonene polygons show high electrical conductivity up to 10 4  S m -1 and good optical transparency in the visible light range, promising in transparent conductive electrode applications.

Two-dimensional antimonene single crystals grown by van der Waals epitaxy

PubMed Central

Ji, Jianping; Song, Xiufeng; Liu, Jizi; Yan, Zhong; Huo, Chengxue; Zhang, Shengli; Su, Meng; Liao, Lei; Wang, Wenhui; Ni, Zhenhua; Hao, Yufeng; Zeng, Haibo

2016-01-01

Unlike the unstable black phosphorous, another two-dimensional group-VA material, antimonene, was recently predicted to exhibit good stability and remarkable physical properties. However, the synthesis of high-quality monolayer or few-layer antimonenes, sparsely reported, has greatly hindered the development of this new field. Here, we report the van der Waals epitaxy growth of few-layer antimonene monocrystalline polygons, their atomical microstructure and stability in ambient condition. The high-quality, few-layer antimonene monocrystalline polygons can be synthesized on various substrates, including flexible ones, via van der Waals epitaxy growth. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the obtained antimonene polygons have buckled rhombohedral atomic structure, consistent with the theoretically predicted most stable β-phase allotrope. The very high stability of antimonenes was observed after aging in air for 30 days. First-principle and molecular dynamics simulation results confirmed that compared with phosphorene, antimonene is less likely to be oxidized and possesses higher thermodynamic stability in oxygen atmosphere at room temperature. Moreover, antimonene polygons show high electrical conductivity up to 104 S m−1 and good optical transparency in the visible light range, promising in transparent conductive electrode applications. PMID:27845327

Some aspects over the quality of thin films deposited on special steels used in hydraulic blades

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tugui, C. A.; Vizureanu, P.; Iftimie, N.; Steigmann, R.

2016-08-01

The experimental research involved in this paper consists in the obtaining of superior physical, chemical and mechanical properties of stainless steels used in the construction of hydraulic turbine blades. These properties are obtained by deposition of hard thin films in order to improve the wear resistance, increasing the hardness but maintaining the tenacious core of the material. The chosen methods for deposition are electrospark deposition because it has relatively low costs, are easy to obtain, the layers have a good adherence to support and the thickness can be variable in function of the established conditions and the pulsed laser deposition because high quality films can be obtained at nanometric precision. The samples will be prepared for the analysis of the structure using optical method as well as for the obtaining of the optimal roughness for the deposition. The physical, chemical and mechanical properties will be determined after deposition using SEM and EDX, in order to emphasize the structure film-substrate and repartition of the deposition elements on the surface and in transversal section. The non-destructive testing has emphasized the good adherence between deposited layer and the metallic support, due to double deposition, spallation regions doesn't appear.

Suitability of unmalted quinoa for beer production.

PubMed

Kordialik-Bogacka, Edyta; Bogdan, Paulina; Pielech-Przybylska, Katarzyna; Michałowska, Dorota

2018-03-30

This study provides the first detailed investigation into the effect of partially substituting barley malt with quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) on the characteristics of wort and beer. Quinoa seeds and flakes were compared in terms of their suitability for brewing. The benefits of applying a commercial enzyme mixture during beer production with quinoa were also investigated. These findings show that quinoa is a good starchy raw material for brewing. Even without exogenous enzymes, it is possible to substitute barley malt with up to 30% quinoa. The form in which quinoa is used has a negligible influence on the quality of the wort and beer. The foam stability of beer made with quinoa was better than that of all-malt beer, despite there being a lower level of soluble nitrogen in quinoa beer in comparison with all-malt beer and more than twice the amount of fat in quinoa in comparison to barley malt. The addition of unmalted quinoa does not give unpleasant characteristics to the beer and was even found to have a positive effect on its overall sensory quality. This offers brewers an opportunity to develop good beers with new sensory characteristics. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparison of the availability of groundwater information sources in Poland with other European countries. Knowledge inventory for hydrogeology research - project KINDRA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomaszewska, Barbara; Dendys, Marta; Tyszer, Magdalena

2017-11-01

Regulations of the Water Framework Directive 200/60/EC (WFD) had been applied by European Union countries into their legislation system. However, it does not guarantee that the groundwater research has the same standard and quality in EU countries. KINDRA international research project was launched to assessment of existing groundwater-related practical and scientific knowledge based on a new Hydrogeological Research Classification System (HRC-SYS). This classification is supported by a web-service - the European Inventory of Groundwater Research (EIGR). The main goal of the project is implementation policy of optimization in groundwater research in EU. The preliminary result of survey about groundwater management shows that in Poland is a good state of implementation WFD. Good level of implementation is especially related with groundwater monitoring. It is because a lot of institutions and municipal entities carry out their tasks referring to quality or quantity assessment. Results of their works are published as reports, newsletters, maps, bulletins etc. These materials are potential source of information which can be a valuable contribution to EIGR. However, a lot of information are published only in polish language, so it is impossible to spread this knowledge in Europe.

Surface Enhancement For Optical Plastics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masso, Jon D.

1988-07-01

Optical plastics can be molded or cast to replicate traditional spherical and aspheric lenses. It is possible to obtain good optical quality, but often it is necessary or desirable to enhance the surface characteristics in a variety of ways. These include improving the abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, the addition of anti-fog, or anti-static characteristics, applying electrically conductive coatings, and applying coatings or selective absorbers for light and color control. Coatings may be entirely organic or organo-silanes applied by dipping or spinning. All dielectric coatings such as quartz abrasion resistant coatings or multilayer dielectric coatings for reflection reduction or enhancement may be applied by vacuum vapor deposition. This paper discusses a number of these coatings and surface treatments. The paper describes their characteristics and includes discussions of their durability and environmental stability. The adhesion of coatings to plastic substrate depends on the specific substrate and coating materials. Pretreatments or primers are used to promote good coating adhesion. A coating used for one purpose will generally affect other properties of the plastic and trade-offs are sometimes required. A description is given of several test methods which have been found useful in evaluating the quality of the various coatings.

A high contrast 400-2500 nm hyperspectral checkerboard consisting of Acktar material cut with a femto second laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keresztes, Janos C.; Henrottin, Anne; Goodarzi, Mohammad; Wouters, Niels; van Roy, Jeroen; Saeys, Wouter

2015-09-01

Visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) and short wave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) are gaining interest in the food sorting industry. As for traditional machine vision (MV), spectral image registration is an important step which affects the quality of the sorting system. Unfortunately, it currently still remains challenging to accurately register the images acquired with the different imagers as this requires a reference with good contrast over the full spectral range. Therefore, the objective of this work was to develop an accurate high contrast checkerboard over the full spectral range. From the investigated white and dark materials, Teflon and Acktar were found to present very good contrast over the full spectral range from 400 to 2500 nm, with a minimal contrast ratio of 60% in the Vis-NIR and 98 % in the SWIR. The Metal Velvet self-adhesive coating from Acktar was selected as it also provides low specular reflectance. This was taped onto a near-Lambertian polished Teflon plate and one out of two squares were removed after laser cutting the dark coating with an accuracy below 0.1 mm. As standard technologies such as nano-second pulsed lasers generated unwanted damages on both materials, a pulsed femto-second laser setup from Lasea with 60µm accuracy was used to manufacture the checkerboard. This pattern was monitored with an Imec Vis-NIR and a Headwall SWIR HSI pushbroom hyperspectral camera. Good contrast was obtained over the full range of both HSI systems and the estimated effective focal length for the Vis-NIR HSI was determined with computer vision to be 0.5 mm, close to the lens model at high contrast.

Automated daily quality control analysis for mammography in a multi-unit imaging center.

PubMed

Sundell, Veli-Matti; Mäkelä, Teemu; Meaney, Alexander; Kaasalainen, Touko; Savolainen, Sauli

2018-01-01

Background The high requirements for mammography image quality necessitate a systematic quality assurance process. Digital imaging allows automation of the image quality analysis, which can potentially improve repeatability and objectivity compared to a visual evaluation made by the users. Purpose To develop an automatic image quality analysis software for daily mammography quality control in a multi-unit imaging center. Material and Methods An automated image quality analysis software using the discrete wavelet transform and multiresolution analysis was developed for the American College of Radiology accreditation phantom. The software was validated by analyzing 60 randomly selected phantom images from six mammography systems and 20 phantom images with different dose levels from one mammography system. The results were compared to a visual analysis made by four reviewers. Additionally, long-term image quality trends of a full-field digital mammography system and a computed radiography mammography system were investigated. Results The automated software produced feature detection levels comparable to visual analysis. The agreement was good in the case of fibers, while the software detected somewhat more microcalcifications and characteristic masses. Long-term follow-up via a quality assurance web portal demonstrated the feasibility of using the software for monitoring the performance of mammography systems in a multi-unit imaging center. Conclusion Automated image quality analysis enables monitoring the performance of digital mammography systems in an efficient, centralized manner.

Habitat quality of historic Snake River fall Chinook salmon spawning locations and implications for incubation survival: part 1, substrate quality

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

Hanrahan, Timothy P.; Geist, David R.; Arntzen, Evan V.

2005-07-01

We evaluated substrate quality at two historic fall Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) spawning sites in the Snake River, Idaho, USA. The primary objective of this evaluation was to measure sediment permeability within these areas to determine the potential quality of the habitat in the event that anadromous salmonids are reintroduced to the upper Snake River. Riverbed sediments within the two sites in the upper Snake River were sampled using freeze cores and hydraulic slug tests. Sediment grain size distributions at both sites were typical of gravel-bed rivers with the surface layer coarser than the underlying substrate, suggesting the riverbed surfacemore » was armored. Despite the armored nature of the bed, the size of the largest material present on the riverbed surface was well within the size limit of material capable of being excavated by spawning fall Chinook salmon. The percentage of fines was low, suggesting good quality substrate for incubating salmon embryos. Geometric mean particle sizes found in this study compared to a 55% to 80% survival to emergence based on literature values. Hydraulic slug tests showed moderate to high hydraulic conductivity and were comparable to values from current fall Chinook salmon spawning areas in the Hells Canyon Reach of the Snake River and the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. Predicted estimates of mean egg survival at both sites (48% and 74%) equaled or exceeded estimates from fall Chinook salmon spawning areas in the Hells Canyon Reach and the Hanford Reach.« less

Quality dementia care: Prerequisites and relational ethics among multicultural healthcare providers.

PubMed

Sellevold, Gerd Sylvi; Egede-Nissen, Veslemøy; Jakobsen, Rita; Sørlie, Venke

2017-01-01

Many nursing homes appear as multicultural workplaces where the majority of healthcare providers have an ethnic minority background. This environment creates challenges linked to communication, interaction and cultural differences. Furthermore, the healthcare providers have varied experiences and understanding of what quality care of patients with dementia involves. The aim of this study is to illuminate multi-ethnic healthcare providers' lived experiences of their own working relationship, and its importance to quality care for people with dementia. The study is part of a greater participatory action research project: 'Hospice values in the care for persons with dementia'. The data material consists of extensive notes from seminars, project meetings and dialogue-based teaching. The text material was subjected to phenomenological-hermeneutical interpretation. Participants and research context: Participants in the project were healthcare providers working in a nursing home unit. The participants came from 15 different countries, had different formal qualifications, varied backgrounds and ethnic origins. Ethical considerations: The study is approved by the Norwegian Regional Ethics Committee and the Norwegian Social Science Data Services. The results show that good working relationships, characterized by understanding each other's vulnerability and willingness to learn from each other through shared experiences, are prerequisites for quality care. The healthcare providers further described ethical challenges as uncertainty and different understandings. The results are discussed in the light of Lögstrup's relational philosophy of ethics and the concepts of vulnerability, ethic responsibility, trust and openness of speech. The prerequisite for quality care for persons with dementia in a multicultural working environment is to create arenas for open discussions between the healthcare providers. Leadership is of great importance.

Magnesium and Manganese Silicides For Efficient And Low Cost Thermo-Electric Power Generation

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

Trivedi, Sudhir B.; Kutcher, Susan W.; Rosemeier, Cory A.

2013-12-02

Thermoelectric Power Generation (TEPG) is the most efficient and commercially deployable power generation technology for harvesting wasted heat from such things as automobile exhausts, industrial furnaces, and incinerators, and converting it into usable electrical power. We investigated the materials magnesium silicide (Mg2Si) and manganese silicide (MnSi) for TEG. MgSi2 and MnSi are environmentally friendly, have constituent elements that are abundant in the earth's crust, non-toxic, lighter and cheaper. In Phase I, we successfully produced Mg2Si and MnSi material with good TE properties. We developed a novel technique to synthesize Mg2Si with good crystalline quality, which is normally very difficult duemore » to high Mg vapor pressure and its corrosive nature. We produced n-type Mg2Si and p-type MnSi nanocomposite pellets using FAST. Measurements of resistivity and voltage under a temperature gradient indicated a Seebeck coefficient of roughly 120 V/K on average per leg, which is quite respectable. Results indicated however, that issues related to bonding resulted in high resistivity contacts. Determining a bonding process and bonding material that can provide ohmic contact from room temperature to the operating temperature is an essential part of successful device fabrication. Work continues in the development of a process for reproducibly obtaining low resistance electrical contacts.« less

Effect of the purity of starting materials on the growth and properties of potassium dihydrogen phosphate single crystals – A comparative study

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

Rajesh, P., E-mail: rajeshp@ssn.edu.in; Charoen In, Urit; Manyum, Prapun

2014-11-15

Highlights: • Bulk size KDP crystal has been grown with higher growth rate. • Systematic study on the effect of starting materials has been done. • Crystalline perfection is maintained in the entire crystal. - Abstract: A systematic study on the effect of purity of starting materials on the growth and properties of potassium dihydrogen phosphate single crystals is crucial for the future study of the material for nonlinear optical applications. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals were grown using high pure (99.999%) and ordinary (99.9%) starting raw materials using slow cooling method in identical conditions. Their optical transparency and crystalline perfectionmore » are studied by UV and high resolution X-ray diffraction analyses respectively. The results are checked with the help of etching analyses. The full width at half maximum is 8″ which is close to that expected from the plane wave theory of dynamical X-ray diffraction for an ideally perfect crystal. Results of those studies are correlated with each other. The quantitative results show that the raw material plays an important role in the growth of good quality crystals.« less

Indoor Air Quality in Schools: Clean Air Is Good Business.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guarneiri, Michele A.

2003-01-01

Describes the effect of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) on student health, the cost of safeguarding good IAQ, the cause of poor IAQ in schools, how to tell whether a school has an IAQ problem, and how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can help schools improve indoor air quality though the use of their free "Indoor Air Quality Tools for…

Poor tap water quality experiences and poor sleep quality during the Flint, Michigan Municipal Water Crisis.

PubMed

Kruger, Daniel J; Kodjebacheva, Gergana D; Cupal, Suzanne

2017-08-01

After inadequate official response to community concerns over water quality following changes in Flint's municipal water supply, this study sought evidence for a relationship between water quality and community mental health. The Speak to Your Health Community Survey is a community-based participatory component of the health surveillance system in Genesee County, Michigan. This cross-sectional survey recruits participants from every residential Census Tract of the county and strives for demographic representativeness. Respondents (n=834) rated their tap water quality (taste, smell, appearance) as poor (36%), fair (18%), good (20%), very good (17%), and excellent (10%). They rated their sleep quality as poor (12%), fair (28%), good (39%), very good (18%), and excellent (4%), and had an average (SD) sleep length of 408(90) minutes. Controlling for age, sex, years of education, and whether respondents were African American and Hispanic/Latino/a, lower perceived tap water quality was associated with lower sleep quality and shorter sleep length. Results indicate that adverse health conditions related to the water crisis extend beyond lead poisoning in children and include deterioration of sleep conditions among adult residents. Copyright © 2017 National Sleep Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-Temperature Shape Memory Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biffi, C. A.; Tuissi, A.

2014-10-01

In this paper, an experimental study of laser micro-processing on a Cu-Zr-based shape memory alloy (SMA), which is suitable for high-temperature (HT) applications, is discussed. A first evaluation of the interaction between a laser beam and Zr50Cu28Ni7Co15 HT SMA is highlighted. Single laser pulses at various levels of power and pulse duration were applied to evaluate their effect on the sample surfaces. Blind and through microholes were produced with sizes on the order of a few hundreds of microns; the results were characterized from the morphological viewpoint using a scanning electron microscope. The high beam quality allows the holes to be created with good circularity and little melted material around the hole periphery. An analysis of the chemical composition was performed using energy dispersive spectroscopy, revealing that compositional changes were limited, while important oxidation occurred on the hole surfaces. Additionally, laser micro-cutting tests were also proposed to evaluate the cut edge morphology and dimensions. The main result of this paper concerned the good behavior of the material upon interaction with the laser beam, which suggests that microfeatures can be successfully produced in this alloy.

[Identification of Good-Practice Projects in Promoting Physical Activity - Methods, Pitfalls and Sampled Outcomes].

PubMed

Henn, Annette; Karger, Claudia; Wöhlken, Katrin; Meier, Diana; Ungerer-Röhrich, Ulrike; Graf, Christine; Woll, Alexander

2017-03-01

The aim of this paper is to identify and show examples of good practice of public health promotion. For this, uniform quality criteria were worked out under consideration of national and international scientific literature.For the identification of examples of good practice, a comparison of different quality criteria was carried out and combined with each other in a first step. In the following step, examples of good practice were identified after a comprehensive search. The choice of the "good-practice" projects is exemplary and lays no claim to completeness.6 main quality criteria (QC) of programs promoting physical activity could be identified in the national and international context. The analysis showed altogether 10 projects which can exemplarily be classified as examples of good practice of the target groups of children and teenagers, adults, older people and people with pre-existing illnesses. These projects, however, show major differences in their (methodological) quality.The analysis reports a lack of "Good-Practice" examples. Deficits lie mainly in documentation and sustainability. Because of incomplete documentation, an assessment as a "Good-Practice" example is only possible to a limited extent; a lot of information, particularly in the evaluation, is missing. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

31 CFR 560.407 - Transactions related to Iranian-origin goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... from third countries of goods containing Iranian-origin raw materials or components is not prohibited if those raw materials or components have been incorporated into manufactured products or... Iranian-origin raw materials or components are not prohibited if those raw materials or components have...

Watchful waiting or induction of labour--a matter of informed choice: identification, analysis and critical appraisal of decision aids and patient information regarding care options for women with uncomplicated singleton late and post term pregnancies: a review.

PubMed

Berger, Bettina; Schwarz, Christiane; Heusser, Peter

2015-05-07

Decision-making during pregnancy regarding different options of care can be difficult, particularly when risks of intervention versus no intervention for mother and baby are unclear. Unbiased information and support for decision making may be beneficial in these situations. The management of normal pregnancies at and beyond term is an example of such a situation. In order to determine the need to develop an evidence-based decision aid this paper searches, analyses and appraises patient decision aids and patient information leaflets regarding care options in cases of late term and post-term pregnancies, including complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). A literature search was carried out in a variety of lay and medical databases. written information related to uncomplicated singleton pregnancies and targeted at lay people. Analysis and appraisal of included material by means of quality criteria was set up based on the International Patient Decision Aid Standards accounting for evidence-basing of CAM options. Inclusion of two decision aids and eleven leaflets from four decision aids and sixteen leaflets. One decision aid met the quality criteria almost completely, the other one only insufficiently despite providing some helpful information. Only one leaflet is of good quality, but cannot substitute a decision aid. There is an urgent need for the design of an evidence-based decision aid of good quality for late-term or post-term pregnancy, particularly in German language.

Ceramic materials under high temperature heat transfer conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mittenbühler, A.; Jung, J.

1990-04-01

Ceramic materials for application in a High-Temperature Reactor coupled with the steam gasification of coal were investigated. The study concentrated on the hot gas duct and their thermal insulation. Materials examined for the inner lining of the tubes were graphite, carbon fibre reinforced carbon and amorphous silica, while fibres, porous alumina and bonded alumina fibres were tested as insulating materials. During material investigations qualification was performed on samples and in component tests. For two carbon fibre reinforced carbon qualities with different graphitizing temperatures, the bending strength was determined as a function of volume corrosion. Devitrification of amorphous silica can be tolerated up to operating temperatures of about 950°C. The resilience of fibre materials depends on the Al2O3/ SiO2 ratio. It decreases according to the different fibre composition with increasing temperature and limits the maximum operating temperature for long term operation. The porous hollow spherical corundum inserted in the form of bricks fulfilled the thermal shock and mechanical requirements but led to an insulation exhibiting gaps in component tests. An advanced insulation on the basis of bonded alumina fibre showed a quasi-elastic material behaviour. Resistance to abrasion was achieved with a protective ceramic coating. The different materials and design concepts are compared and the results provide a good solution for the project.

"Parisara": Developing a Collaborative, Free, Public Domain Knowledge Resource on Indian Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gadgil, Madhav

2012-01-01

To address the important challenge of taking good care of India's environment, substantial, good quality information is crucial. Unfortunately, pertinent information is in very short supply. Much of the nationally collected information lacks quality and is incomplete. Modern science has demonstrated that good information flows from an open,…

Teacher Quality. Education Policy White Paper

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Suzanne, Ed.

2009-01-01

Good teaching matters. There is persuasive evidence that students benefit from high quality instruction and that these benefits are cumulative for students who have good teachers for several years. Teacher effectiveness matters so much that low-income students lucky enough to have three very good teachers in a row in elementary school earn test…

19 CFR 181.93 - Submission of advance ruling requests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... commercial, common, or technical designation of the good or material; if the good or material is composed of... name of the port or place at which any good involved in the transaction will be imported or which will... ruling. Where the request for an advance ruling is submitted by or on behalf of the importer of the good...

19 CFR 181.93 - Submission of advance ruling requests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... commercial, common, or technical designation of the good or material; if the good or material is composed of... name of the port or place at which any good involved in the transaction will be imported or which will... ruling. Where the request for an advance ruling is submitted by or on behalf of the importer of the good...

YouTube as a Potential Training Resource for Laparoscopic Fundoplication.

PubMed

Frongia, Giovanni; Mehrabi, Arianeb; Fonouni, Hamidreza; Rennert, Helga; Golriz, Mohammad; Günther, Patrick

To analyze the surgical proficiency and educational quality of YouTube videos demonstrating laparoscopic fundoplication (LF). In this cross-sectional study, a search was performed on YouTube for videos demonstrating the LF procedure. The surgical and educational proficiency was evaluated using the objective component rating scale, the educational quality rating score, and total video quality score. Statistical significance was determined by analysis of variance, receiver operating characteristic curve, and odds ratio analysis. A total of 71 videos were included in the study; 28 (39.4%) videos were evaluated as good, 23 (32.4%) were moderate, and 20 (28.2%) were poor. Good-rated videos were significantly longer (good, 22.0 ± 5.2min; moderate, 7.8 ± 0.9min; poor, 8.5 ± 1.0min; p = 0.007) and video duration was predictive of good quality (AUC, 0.672 ± 0.067; 95% CI: 0.541-0.802; p = 0.015). For good quality, the cut-off video duration was 7:42 minute. This cut-off value had a sensitivity of 67.9%, a specificity of 60.5%, and an odds ratio of 3.23 (95% CI: 1.19-8.79; p = 0.022) in predicting good quality. Videos uploaded from industrial sources and with a higher views/days online ratio had a higher objective component rating scale and total video quality score. In contrast, the likes/dislikes ratio was not predictive of video quality. Many videos showing the LF procedure have been uploaded to YouTube with varying degrees of quality. A process for filtering LF videos with high surgical and educational quality is feasible by evaluating the video duration, uploading source, and the views/days online ratio. However, alternative videos platforms aimed at professionals should also be considered for educational purposes. Copyright © 2016 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

31 CFR 560.407 - Transactions related to Iranian-origin goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... United States from third countries of goods containing Iranian-origin raw materials or components is not prohibited if those raw materials or components have been incorporated into manufactured products or... Iranian-origin raw materials or components are not prohibited if those raw materials or components have...

Infrared telephoto lenses design for joint transform correlator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yu; Huo, Furong; Zheng, Liqin

2014-11-01

Joint transform correlator (JTC) is quite useful for pattern recognition in many fields, which can realize automatic real-time recognition of target in cluttered background with high precision. For military application, JTC can also be applied for thermo target recognition especially at night. To make JTC recognize thermo targets, an infrared telephoto lens is designed in this paper. Long focal length and short tube length are required for this usage. So the structure of a positive lens group and a negative lens group are adopted. Besides, the effective focal length and relative aperture should be large enough to ensure the distant targets can be detected with adequate illumination. In this paper, the working waveband of adopted infrared CCD detector is 8-12μm. According to Nyquist law, the characteristic frequency of the system is 14lp/mm. The optional materials are very few for infrared optical systems, in which only several kinds of materials such as Germanium, ZnSe, ZnS are commonly used. Various aberrations are not easy to be corrected. So it is very difficult to design a good infrared optical system. Besides, doublet or triplet should be avoided to be used in infrared optical system considering possible cracking for different thermal expansion coefficients of different infrared materials. The original configuration is composed of three lenses. After optimization, the image quality can get limit diffraction. The root mean square (RMS) radii of three fields are 6.754μm, 7.301μm and 12.158μm respectively. They are all less than the Airy spot diameter 48.8μm. Wavefront aberration at 0.707 field of view (FOV) is only 0.1wavelength. After adjusting the radius to surface templates, setting tolerances and giving element drawings, this system has been fabricated successfully. Optical experimental results of infrared target recognition using JTC are given in this paper. The correlation peaks can be detected and located easily, which confirms the good image quality of the designed infrared telephoto lens.

Study and assessment of segregated biowaste composting: The case study of Attica municipalities.

PubMed

Malamis, D; Bourka, A; Stamatopoulou, Ε; Moustakas, K; Skiadi, O; Loizidou, M

2017-12-01

This work aims to assess the operation of the first large scale segregated biowaste composting scheme in Greece to divert Household Food Waste (HFW) from landfill and produce a material which can be recovered and used as compost. The source separation and collection of HFW was deployed in selected areas in Attica Region serving about 3700 households. Sorted HFW is collected & transported to the Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) plant in Attica Region that has been designed to produce Compost Like Output (CLO) from mixed MSW. The MBT facility has been adjusted in order to receive and treat aerobically HFW mixed with shredded green waste in a dedicated composting tunnel. The composting process was monitored against temperature, moisture and oxygen content indicating that the biological conditions are sufficiently developed. The product quality was examined and assessed against the quality specifications of EU End of Waste Criteria for biowaste subjected to composting aiming to specify whether the HFW that has undergone recovery ceases to be waste and can be classified as compost. More specifically, the heavy metals concentrations (Cr, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb, Zn and Hg) are within the set limits and much lower compared to the CLO material that currently is being produced at the MBT plant. In regard to the hygienic requirements of the product it has been found that the process conditions result in a pathogen free material (i.e. E. Coli and Salmonella) which does not favor the growth of viable weeds and plant propagules, while it acquires sufficient organic matter content for soil fertilization. Noticeable physical impurities (mainly fractions of glass) have been detected exceeding the quality control threshold limit of 0.5% w/w (plastics, metals and glass). The latter is related to the missorted materials and to the limited pre-treatment configurations prior to composting. The above findings indicate that effective source separation of biowaste is prerequisite for good quality production and marketing of compost and special consideration should be made to minimize glass impurities prior composting (i.e. awareness raising and pretreatment stage). Therefore, it is feasible to gradually replace the production of questionable quality CLO in MBTs with biowaste compost which is in line with the required quality control standards especially when heavy metals concentrations is concerned. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

College of American Pathologists Gynecologic Cytopathology Quality Consensus Conference on good laboratory practices in gynecologic cytology: background, rationale, and organization.

PubMed

Tworek, Joseph A; Henry, Michael R; Blond, Barbara; Jones, Bruce Allen

2013-02-01

Gynecologic cytopathology is a heavily regulated field, with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 mandating the collection of many quality metrics. There is a lack of consensus regarding methods to collect, monitor, and benchmark these data and how these data should be used in a quality assurance program. Furthermore, the introduction of human papilloma virus testing and proficiency testing has provided more data to monitor. To determine good laboratory practices in quality assurance of gynecologic cytopathology. Data were collected through a written survey consisting of 98 questions submitted to 1245 Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-licensed or Department of Defense laboratories. There were 541 usable responses. Additional input was sought through a Web posting of results and questions on the College of American Pathologists Web site. Four senior authors who authored the survey and 28 cytopathologists and cytotechnologists were assigned to 5 working groups to analyze data and present statements on good laboratory practices in gynecologic cytopathology at the College of American Pathologists Gynecologic Cytopathology Quality Consensus Conference. Ninety-eight attendees at the College of American Pathologists Gynecologic Cytopathology Quality Consensus Conference discussed and voted on good laboratory practice statements to obtain consensus. This paper describes the rationale, background, process, and strengths and limitations of a series of papers that summarize good laboratory practice statements in quality assurance in gynecologic cytopathology.

41 CFR 109-25.103 - Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 109-25.103 Section 109-25.103 Public Contracts and Property Management..., trading stamps, or bonus goods. ...

41 CFR 109-25.103 - Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 109-25.103 Section 109-25.103 Public Contracts and Property Management..., trading stamps, or bonus goods. ...

41 CFR 109-25.103 - Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 109-25.103 Section 109-25.103 Public Contracts and Property Management..., trading stamps, or bonus goods. ...

41 CFR 109-25.103 - Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 109-25.103 Section 109-25.103 Public Contracts and Property Management..., trading stamps, or bonus goods. ...

41 CFR 109-25.103 - Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 109-25.103 Section 109-25.103 Public Contracts and Property Management..., trading stamps, or bonus goods. ...

Comparison of different drying methods on Chinese ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe): Changes in volatiles, chemical profile, antioxidant properties, and microstructure.

PubMed

An, Kejing; Zhao, Dandan; Wang, Zhengfu; Wu, Jijun; Xu, Yujuan; Xiao, Gengsheng

2016-04-15

Nowadays, food industry is facing challenges in preserving better quality of fruit and vegetable products after processing. Recently, many attentions have been drawn to ginger rhizome processing due to its numerous health promoting properties. In our study, ginger rhizome slices were subjected to air-drying (AD), freeze drying (FD), infrared drying (IR), microwave drying (MD) and intermittent microwave & convective drying (IM&CD). Quality attributes of the dried samples were compared in terms of volatile compounds, 6, 8, 10-gingerols, 6-shogaol, antioxidant activities and microstructure. Results showed that AD and IR were good drying methods to preserve volatiles. FD, IR and IM&CD led to higher retention of gingerols, TPC, TFC and better antioxidant activities. However, FD and IR had relative high energy consumption and drying time. Therefore, considering about the quality retention and energy consumption, IM&CD would be very promising for thermo sensitive material. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Demand controlled ventilating systems: Sensor market survey. Energy conservation in buildings and community systems programme, annex 18, December 1991

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raatschen, W.; Sjoegren, M.

The subject of indoor and outdoor air quality has generated a great deal of attention in many countries. Areas of concern include outgassing of building materials as well as occupant-generated pollutants such as carbon dioxide, moisture, and odors. Progress has also been made towards addressing issues relating to the air tightness of the building envelope. Indoor air quality studies indicate that better control of supply flow rates as well as the air distribution pattern within buildings are necessary. One method of maintaining good indoor air quality without extensive energy consumption is to control the ventilation rate according to the needs and demands of the occupants, or to preserve the building envelope. This is accomplished through the use of demand controlled ventilating (DCV) systems. The specific objective of Annex 18 is to develop guidelines for demand controlled ventilating systems based on state of the art analyses, case studies on ventilation effectiveness, and proposed ventilation rates for different users in domestic, office, and school buildings.

Effect of Zn and Te beam intensity upon the film quality of ZnTe layers on severely lattice mismatched sapphire substrates by molecular beam epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakasu, Taizo; Sun, W.; Kobayashi, M.; Asahi, T.

2017-06-01

Zinc telluride layers were grown on highly-lattice-mismatched sapphire substrates by molecular beam epitaxy, and their crystallographic properties were studied by means of X-ray diffraction pole figures. The crystal quality of the ZnTe thin film was further studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray rocking curves and low-temperature photoluminescence measurements. These methods show that high-crystallinity (111)-oriented single domain ZnTe layers with the flat surface and good optical properties are realized when the beam intensity ratio of Zn and Te beams is adjusted. The migration of Zn and Te was inhibited by excess surface material and cracks were appeared. In particular, excess Te inhibited the formation of a high-crystallinity ZnTe film. The optical properties of the ZnTe layer revealed that the exciton-related features were dominant, and therefore the film quality was reasonably high even though the lattice constants and the crystal structures were severely mismatched.

The performance of three strawberry varieties on phenological period and quality in Hanyuan County

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Che, Meng; Luo, Ya; Ge, Cong; Ling, Yajie; Mo, Qin; Luo, Shu; Tang, Haoru

2018-04-01

In this experiment, `Benihoppe' `Zhang Ji' and `Ning Yu' were used as experimental material, to observe the plant morphology, record the phenological period, investigate the disease situation and determine the quality of strawberry fruit and other indicators and related analysis. Hoping to select a good fruit- type strawberry varieties adapted to the characteristics of Han yuan climate. The result showed that the growth of Benihoppe and Zhang Ji were stronger than Ning Yu, the phenological period of Ning Yu is five days longer than the Benihoppe and Zhang Ji. Ning Yu most highly resistant to the two diseases, followed by Zhang Ji, Benihoppe is the last. In the quality of the fruit, the Benihoppe has the highest average weight and soluble solids. There was no significant difference between Zhang Ji and Ning Yu. However, consumers prefer the Benihoppe, so it is recommended to strengthen the promotion and cultivation of Benihoppe in Han yuan area.

Machining approach of freeform optics on infrared materials via ultra-precision turning.

PubMed

Li, Zexiao; Fang, Fengzhou; Chen, Jinjin; Zhang, Xiaodong

2017-02-06

Optical freeform surfaces are of great advantage in excellent optical performance and integrated alignment features. It has wide applications in illumination, imaging and non-imaging, etc. Machining freeform surfaces on infrared (IR) materials with ultra-precision finish is difficult due to its brittle nature. Fast tool servo (FTS) assisted diamond turning is a powerful technique for the realization of freeform optics on brittle materials due to its features of high spindle speed and high cutting speed. However it has difficulties with large slope angles and large rise-and-falls in the sagittal direction. In order to overcome this defect, the balance of the machining quality on the freeform surface and the brittle nature in IR materials should be realized. This paper presents the design of a near-rotational freeform surface (NRFS) with a low non-rotational degree (NRD) to constraint the variation of traditional freeform optics to solve this issue. In NRFS, the separation of the surface results in a rotational part and a residual part denoted as a non-rotational surface (NRS). Machining NRFS on germanium is operated by FTS diamond turning. Characteristics of the surface indicate that the optical finish of the freeform surface has been achieved. The modulation transfer function (MTF) of the freeform optics shows a good agreement to the design expectation. Images of the final optical system confirm that the fabricating strategy is of high efficiency and high quality. Challenges and prospects are discussed to provide guidance of future work.

Importance of good manufacturing practices in microbiological monitoring in processing human tissues for transplant.

PubMed

Pianigiani, Elisa; Ierardi, Francesca; Fimiani, Michele

2013-12-01

Skin allografts represent an important therapeutic resource in the treatment of severe skin loss. The risk associated with application of processed tissues in humans is very low, however, human material always carries the risk of disease transmission. To minimise the risk of contamination of grafts, processing is carried out in clean rooms where air quality is monitored. Procedures and quality control tests are performed to standardise the production process and to guarantee the final product for human use. Since we only validate and distribute aseptic tissues, we conducted a study to determine what type of quality controls for skin processing are the most suitable for detecting processing errors and intercurrent contamination, and for faithfully mapping the process without unduly increasing production costs. Two different methods for quality control were statistically compared using the Fisher exact test. On the basis of the current study we selected our quality control procedure based on pre- and post-processing tissue controls, operator and environmental controls. Evaluation of the predictability of our control methods showed that tissue control was the most reliable method of revealing microbial contamination of grafts. We obtained 100 % sensitivity by doubling tissue controls, while maintaining high specificity (77 %).

Use of EO-1 Advanced Land Imager (ALI) multispectral image data and real-time field sampling for water quality mapping in the Hirfanlı Dam Lake, Turkey.

PubMed

Kavurmacı, Murat; Ekercin, Semih; Altaş, Levent; Kurmaç, Yakup

2013-08-01

This paper focuses on the evaluation of water quality variations in Hirfanlı Water Reservoir, which is one of the most important water resources in Turkey, through EO-1 (Earth Observing-1) Advanced Land Imager (ALI) multispectral data and real-time field sampling. The study was materialized in 20 different sampling points during the overpass of the EO-1 ALI sensor over the study area. A multi-linear regression technique was used to explore the relationships between radiometrically corrected EO-1 ALI image data and water quality parameters: chlorophyll a, turbidity, and suspended solids. The retrieved and verified results show that the measured and estimated values of water quality parameters are in good agreement (R (2) >0.93). The resulting thematic maps derived from EO-1 multispectral data for chlorophyll a, turbidity, and suspended solids show the spatial distribution of the water quality parameters. The results indicate that the reservoir has average nutrient values. Furthermore, chlorophyll a, turbidity, and suspended solids values increased at the upstream reservoir and shallow coast of the Hirfanlı Water Reservoir.

Forecasting the Emergency Department Patients Flow.

PubMed

Afilal, Mohamed; Yalaoui, Farouk; Dugardin, Frédéric; Amodeo, Lionel; Laplanche, David; Blua, Philippe

2016-07-01

Emergency department (ED) have become the patient's main point of entrance in modern hospitals causing it frequent overcrowding, thus hospital managers are increasingly paying attention to the ED in order to provide better quality service for patients. One of the key elements for a good management strategy is demand forecasting. In this case, forecasting patients flow, which will help decision makers to optimize human (doctors, nurses…) and material(beds, boxs…) resources allocation. The main interest of this research is forecasting daily attendance at an emergency department. The study was conducted on the Emergency Department of Troyes city hospital center, France, in which we propose a new practical ED patients classification that consolidate the CCMU and GEMSA categories into one category and innovative time-series based models to forecast long and short term daily attendance. The models we developed for this case study shows very good performances (up to 91,24 % for the annual Total flow forecast) and robustness to epidemic periods.

Development of highly-ordered, ferroelectric inverse opal films using sol gel infiltration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuura, N.; Yang, S.; Sun, P.; Ruda, H. E.

2005-07-01

Highly-ordered, ferroelectric, Pb-doped Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3, inverse opal films were fabricated by spin-coating a sol gel precursor into a polystyrene artificial opal template followed by heat treatment. Thin films of the ferroelectric were independently studied and were shown to exhibit good dielectric properties and high refractive indices. The excellent quality of the final inverse opal film using this spin-coating infiltration method was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy images and the good correspondence between optical reflection data and theoretical simulations. Using this method, the structural and material parameters of the final ferroelectric inverse opal film were easily adjusted by template heating and through repeated infiltrations, without changes in the initial template or precursor. Also, crack-free inverse opal thin films were fabricated over areas comparable to that of the initial crack-free polystyrene template (˜100 by 100 μm2).

[Immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of sarcomas].

PubMed

Decouvelaere, Anne-Valérie

2015-01-01

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is essential in the diagnosis of soft tissue tumor and must rely on good quality technic. Among useful antibodies, it is important to distinguish those with a poor specificity required in order to establish the broad lineage, from those with high specificity, which may lead straightforward towards the entity. Diagnostically useful antibodies such as myogenin, ALK1 and DOG1 have been recently completed by MUC4 and STAT6 which show good sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma and solitary fibrous tumor respectively. ERG is also an interesting antibody. However, it is not completely specific of vascular tumors. Moreover, available material is often limited because of the increase of microbiopsy specimens. Therefore, it is mandatory to optimize this precious tissue by using these new antibodies, especially because molecular technics are increasingly performed in addition to IHC. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The acquisition, storage, and dissemination of LANDSAT and other LACIE support data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbotts, L. F.; Nelson, R. M. (Principal Investigator)

1979-01-01

Activities performed at the LACIE physical data library are described. These include the researching, acquisition, indexing, maintenance, distribution, tracking, and control of LACIE operational data and documents. Much of the data available can be incorporated into an Earth resources data base. Elements of the data collection that can support future remote sensing programs include: (1) the LANDSAT full-frame image files; (2) the microfilm file of aerial and space photographic and multispectral maps and charts that encompasses a large portion of the Earth's surface; (3) the map/chart collection that includes various scale maps and charts for a good portion of the U.S. and the LACIE area in foreign countries; (4) computer-compatible tapes of good quality LANDSAT scenes; (5) basic remote sensing data, project data, reference material, and associated publications; (6) visual aids to support presentation on remote sensing projects; and (7) research acquisition and handling procedures for managing data.

Silicon-on-ceramic Process: Silicon Sheet Growth and Device Development for the Large-area Silicon Sheet and Cell Development Tasks of the Low-cost Solar Array Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chapman, P. W.; Zook, J. D.; Heaps, J. D.; Grung, B. L.; Koepke, B.; Schuldt, S. B.

1979-01-01

Significant progress is reported in fabricating a 4 sq cm cell having a 10.1 percent conversion efficiency and a 10 sq cm cell having a 9.2 percent conversion efficiency. The continuous (SCIM) coater succeeded in producing a 16 sq cm coating exhibiting unidirectional solidification and large grain size. A layer was grown at 0.2 cm/sec in the experimental coater which was partially dendritic but also contained a large smooth area approximately 100 micron m thick. The dark characteristic measurements of a typical SCC solar cell yield shunt resistance values of 10K ohms and series resistance values and 0.4 ohm. The production dip-coater is operating at over 50 percent yield in terms of good cell quality material. The most recent run yielded 13 good substrates out of 15.

Implementation of Inventory Management System (IMS) case study on XYZ online store business unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagus Yosan, R.; Kholil, Muhammad; Hanum, Bhetriza

2018-03-01

XYZ baby and child shop is a new player in the business of selling toys and baby gears. Consumers target for XYZ toy shop is segmentation of middle and upper financial ability buyers. XYZ toy store sells imported toys and baby products with high quality products, using international grade production materials and ISO production certificates: 9002. With this conceptual, establishment XYZ business line is as a provider (seller) toys and baby equipment premium brand; then the scope of the product sold must meet all expectations of market demands. Meet the expectations of market demand is not easy; because by fulfilling all expectations, then the impact is the high stock of goods that must be available. The high stock of goods will directly impact on the needs of a large storage area of goods and reduce money. Based on the previous description, the formulation of the problem in this research is: "What inventory management strategy can be applied to improve the productivity of Lean Manufacturing business unit of XYZ online store?"

Assessment of irrigation water quality. A proposal of a quality profile.

PubMed

Almeida, César; Quintar, Silvya; González, Patricia; Mallea, Miguel

2008-07-01

Water quality indices provide a simple and understandable tool for managers on the quality and possible uses for irrigation water, however an individual quality factor alone is not enough to evaluate the irrigation water quality because it could be restrictive and sometime it could give an unfavorable qualification. The aim of this paper was propose a quality profile of irrigation water using the preexisting water quality indices to be applied to arid and semi-arid regions. As a case studied, the water of the Del Molle River (Nogolí, San Luis, Argentina) was researched. Samples were collected during the period October 2005-May 2006. Conductivity, pH, total hardness, sulphate, nitrate, nitrite, alkalinity, chloride, sodium, potassium, TDS, DO and phosphate were analyzed. The irrigation water quality, according to Riverside Norm, belongs to C(2)-S(1) class, according to Wilcox Norm as excellent to good, according to Scott quality factor it is good and according to SAR < 10 and according to RCS it is recommendable. From the obtained data, it can be concluded that the water quality profile was good, so it is useful for normal irrigation agriculture.

How Important Is the Organic Part of Lead Halide Perovskite Photovoltaic Cells? Efficient CsPbBr3 Cells.

PubMed

Kulbak, Michael; Cahen, David; Hodes, Gary

2015-07-02

Hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite photovoltaic cells have already surpassed 20% conversion efficiency in the few years that they have been seriously studied. However, many fundamental questions still remain unanswered as to why they are so good. One of these is "Is the organic cation really necessary to obtain high quality cells?" In this study, we show that an all-inorganic version of the lead bromide perovskite material works equally well as the organic one, in particular generating the high open circuit voltages that are an important feature of these cells.

Endommagement d'un composite polypropylène renforcé par des fibres de verre courtes : approche expérimentale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laksimi, Abdelouahed; Bounouas, Lahsen; Benmedakhene, Salim; Azari, Zitoun; Imad, Abdellatif

To obtain good mechanical performance of the composite material, it is important to optimise the fibres ratio as well as the fibre/matrix interface quality which have influence on the damage. The main objective of this study is to determine the structural parameters influence on damage evolution concerning two types of polypropylene glass fibres composites. With a classical approach of damage mechanical theory which consists of load-unload tensile tests, acoustic emission permits to detect and follow damage mechanisms during loading. Fractographic analysis highlights the different assumptions and conclusions for this study.

PV cells electrical parameters measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cibira, Gabriel

2017-12-01

When measuring optical parameters of a photovoltaic silicon cell, precise results bring good electrical parameters estimation, applying well-known physical-mathematical models. Nevertheless, considerable re-combination phenomena might occur in both surface and intrinsic thin layers within novel materials. Moreover, rear contact surface parameters may influence close-area re-combination phenomena, too. Therefore, the only precise electrical measurement approach is to prove assumed cell electrical parameters. Based on theoretical approach with respect to experiments, this paper analyses problems within measurement procedures and equipment used for electrical parameters acquisition within a photovoltaic silicon cell, as a case study. Statistical appraisal quality is contributed.

Electron beam curing — taking good ideas to the manufacturing floor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saunders, C.; Lopata, V.; Barnard, J.; Stepanik, T.

2000-03-01

Acsion is exploiting several emerging electron beam EB applications ranging from composite curing and repair to viscose manufacturing. EB curing of composite structures offers several advantages: significantly reduced curing times; improvements in part quality and performance; reduced environmental and health concerns; improvements in material handling; and reduced overall manufacturing costs compared to thermal curing. The aerospace industry is developing EB technology in all of their market sectors, including military aviation and space products. Some specific products include cryogenic fuel tanks, improved canopy frames for jet aircraft, and the all-composite military aircraft. This paper discusses each of these opportunities.

First impressions count.

PubMed

Turner, Jonathan W; Moazzez, Rebecca; Banerjee, Avijit

2012-09-01

The art and craft of recording intra-oral anatomy successfully with dental impressions relies on the interaction of three critical factors--the 'golden triangle of impression-taking': an appreciation of the anatomical features to be recorded, the material used to take the impression and the clinical handling/operative technique applied. This paper aims to discuss the three factors and their inter-relationships, detailing clinical tips for successful, reproducible and consistent outcomes. Obtaining accurate dental impressions is the key to success in a wide range of clinical restorative procedures. This paper offers clinical advice to practitioners to plan and then take predictable, good quality impressions for their restorative cases.

The Measurement and Monitoring of Resistance Spot Welds Using Infrared Thermography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Bruce; Bangs, Edmund

1986-03-01

The ability to monitor the spot welding process and provide a real time inspection is of interest to the automotive, aircraft, and aircraft turbine industries. A series of experiments was performed using the infrared radiometer during the welding operation when welding coated and uncoated automotive gage steels. It has been determined that the isotherm radiated at the electrode/base material surface contains apometric information that can be used in the detection of the weld nugget and its quality. Weld nugget measurement and tensile shear tests results show good correlation between isotherm geometry, weld joint strength, and weld nugget size.

Automatic welding of stainless steel tubing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clautice, W. E.

1978-01-01

The use of automatic welding for making girth welds in stainless steel tubing was investigated as well as the reduction in fabrication costs resulting from the elimination of radiographic inspection. Test methodology, materials, and techniques are discussed, and data sheets for individual tests are included. Process variables studied include welding amperes, revolutions per minute, and shielding gas flow. Strip chart recordings, as a definitive method of insuring weld quality, are studied. Test results, determined by both radiographic and visual inspection, are presented and indicate that once optimum welding procedures for specific sizes of tubing are established, and the welding machine operations are certified, then the automatic tube welding process produces good quality welds repeatedly, with a high degree of reliability. Revised specifications for welding tubing using the automatic process and weld visual inspection requirements at the Kennedy Space Center are enumerated.

Understanding biomaterial-tissue interface quality: combined in vitro evaluation

PubMed Central

Gasik, Michael

2017-01-01

Abstract One of the greatest challenges in the development of new medical products and devices remains in providing maximal patient safety, efficacy and suitability for the purpose. A ‘good quality’ of the tissue-implant interface is one of the most critical factors for the success of the implant integration. In this paper this challenge is being discussed from the point of view of basic stimuli combination to experimental testing. The focus is in particular on bacterial effects on tissue-implant interaction (for different materials). The demonstration of the experimental evaluation of the tissue-implant interface is for dental abutment with mucosal contact. This shows that testing of the interface quality could be the most relevant in controlled conditions, which mimic as possible the clinical applications, but consider variables being under the control of the evaluator. PMID:28970865

76 FR 2123 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Announcement of Office of Management and Budget...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-12

...; Current Good Manufacturing Practice Quality System Regulation AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS... information entitled ``Current Good Manufacturing Practice Quality System Regulation'' has been approved by...

Separate and Joint Associations of Shift Work and Sleep Quality with Lipids.

PubMed

Charles, Luenda E; Gu, Ja K; Tinney-Zara, Cathy A; Fekedulegn, Desta; Ma, Claudia C; Baughman, Penelope; Hartley, Tara A; Andrew, Michael E; Violanti, John M; Burchfiel, Cecil M

2016-06-01

Shift work and/or sleep quality may affect health. We investigated whether shift work and sleep quality, separately and jointly, were associated with abnormal levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), and low-and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in 360 police officers (27.5% women). Triglycerides, TC, and high-density lipoprotein were analyzed on the Abbott Architect; low-density lipoprotein was calculated. Shift work was assessed using City of Buffalo payroll work history records. Sleep quality (good, ≤ 5; intermediate, 6-8; poor, ≥ 9) was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. A shift work + sleep quality variable was created: day plus good sleep; day plus poor sleep; afternoon/night plus good; and poor sleep quality. Mean values of lipid biomarkers were compared across categories of the exposures using analysis of variance/analysis of covariance. Shift work was not significantly associated with lipids. However, as sleep quality worsened, mean levels of triglycerides and TC gradually increased but only among female officers (age- and race-adjusted p = 0.013 and 0.030, respectively). Age significantly modified the association between sleep quality and TC. Among officers ≥ 40 years old, those reporting poor sleep quality had a significantly higher mean level of TC (202.9 ± 3.7 mg/dL) compared with those reporting good sleep quality (190.6 ± 4.0 mg/dL) (gender- and race-adjusted p = 0.010). Female officers who worked the day shift and also reported good sleep quality had the lowest mean level of TC compared with women in the other three categories (p = 0.014). Sleep quality and its combined influence with shift work may play a role in the alteration of some lipid measures.

21 CFR 866.5910 - Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Quality control material for cystic fibrosis... Test Systems § 866.5910 Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays. (a) Identification. Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays. A quality control material for...

21 CFR 866.5910 - Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Quality control material for cystic fibrosis... Test Systems § 866.5910 Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays. (a) Identification. Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays. A quality control material for...

21 CFR 866.5910 - Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Quality control material for cystic fibrosis... Test Systems § 866.5910 Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays. (a) Identification. Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays. A quality control material for...

21 CFR 866.5910 - Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Quality control material for cystic fibrosis... Test Systems § 866.5910 Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays. (a) Identification. Quality control material for cystic fibrosis nucleic acid assays. A quality control material for...

A Critical Analysis of the INQAAHE Guidelines of Good Practice for Higher Education Quality Assurance Agencies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blackmur, Douglas

2008-01-01

The International Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education's Guidelines of Good Practice by higher education quality assurance agencies need substantial revision before they can be considered adequate by stakeholders in any national higher education system. Various revisions are proposed in this article. But the International…

Good Job, Good Life? Working Conditions and Quality of Life in Europe

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Drobnic, Sonja; Beham, Barbara; Prag, Patrick

2010-01-01

Cross-national comparisons generally show large differences in life satisfaction of individuals within and between European countries. This paper addresses the question of whether and how job quality and working conditions contribute to the quality of life of employed populations in nine strategically selected EU countries: Finland, Sweden, the…

Use of Tectonagrandis Leaf Extract in Colouring Silk Cloth Material Based on pH and Mordant Variations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosyida, A.; Suranto

2018-03-01

One of the very potential use of plant natural colour in the industrial activities was Anthocyanin. This substance contains in a number on plant organs such as Tectona Grandis (Fabaceae) particularly in their leaf materials. In order to get this secondary metabolism, the aim of this research was to find out the optimum condition of mordant and the pH combination in producing natural colour of Tectonagrandis leaf extract. To get this chemical substance, 1 kilogram of young leaves were cut into smaller size and soaked in 7 litre of H2O for 12 hour9. The solution was then boiled for 15 minutes. To get the best colour, variations of pH (5, 7 and 9) respectivelly were applied. The results showed that purple to redness were resulted when pH 5 and no additional mordant was added. Conversly the greyness to black, were produced when ferrosulphate were added. When the addition of alum was made the redies purple will appear. These colours were considered quite good quality under examination of grey and staining scales (4-5) after treated by both wet and dry rubbing methods. The test for wash fastness resulted in sufficiently good value of color change (value of 3 on Grey Scale standard), while test for staining demonstrated good staining (value of 4 on Staining Scale standard). This early finding was quite promosing to be applied in the near future in providing natural colours for industrial purposes.

19 CFR 10.461 - Retail packaging materials and containers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Retail packaging materials and containers. 10.461... Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin § 10.461 Retail packaging materials and containers. Packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale, if classified with the good for which...

19 CFR 10.461 - Retail packaging materials and containers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Retail packaging materials and containers. 10.461... Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin § 10.461 Retail packaging materials and containers. Packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale, if classified with the good for which...

19 CFR 10.461 - Retail packaging materials and containers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Retail packaging materials and containers. 10.461... Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin § 10.461 Retail packaging materials and containers. Packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale, if classified with the good for which...

19 CFR 10.539 - Retail packaging materials and containers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Retail packaging materials and containers. 10.539...-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin § 10.539 Retail packaging materials and containers. Packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale, if classified with the good for which...

19 CFR 10.461 - Retail packaging materials and containers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Retail packaging materials and containers. 10.461... Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin § 10.461 Retail packaging materials and containers. Packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale, if classified with the good for which...

19 CFR 10.539 - Retail packaging materials and containers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Retail packaging materials and containers. 10.539...-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin § 10.539 Retail packaging materials and containers. Packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale, if classified with the good for which...

19 CFR 10.539 - Retail packaging materials and containers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Retail packaging materials and containers. 10.539...-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin § 10.539 Retail packaging materials and containers. Packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale, if classified with the good for which...

19 CFR 10.539 - Retail packaging materials and containers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Retail packaging materials and containers. 10.539...-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin § 10.539 Retail packaging materials and containers. Packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale, if classified with the good for which...

FISSILE MATERIAL AND FUEL ELEMENTS FOR NEUTRONIC REACTORS

DOEpatents

Shaner, B.E.

1961-08-15

The fissile material consists of about 64 to 70% (weight) zirconium dioxide, 15 to 19% uranium dioxide, and 8 to 17% calcium oxide. The fissile material is formed into sintered composites which are disposed in a compartmented fuel element, comprising essentially a flat filler plate having a plurality of compartments therein, enclosed in cladding plates of the same material as the filler plate. The resultant fuel has good resistance to corrosion in high temperature pressurized water, good dimensional stability to elevated temperatures, and good resistance to thermal shock. (AEC)

Comparison of obese adults with poor versus good sleep quality during a functional neuroimaging delay discounting task: A pilot study.

PubMed

Martin, Laura E; Pollack, Lauren; McCune, Ashley; Schulte, Erica; Savage, Cary R; Lundgren, Jennifer D

2015-10-30

This study aimed to determine if obese adults with poor versus good sleep quality demonstrate reduced self-regulatory capacity and different patterns of neural activation when making impulsive monetary choices. Six obese, good quality sleepers (M age=44.7 years, M BMI=38.1 kg/m(2)) were compared to 13 obese, poor quality sleepers (M age=42.6, M BMI=39.2 kg/m(2)) on sleep and eating behavior and brain activation in prefrontal and insular regions while engaging in a delay discounting task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Poor quality sleepers demonstrated significantly lower brain activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and bilateral insula when making immediate and smaller (impulsive) monetary choices compared to the baseline condition. Behaviorally, poor compared to good quality sleepers reported higher scores in the night eating questionnaire. Obese adults with poor sleep quality demonstrate decreased brain activation in multiple regions that regulate cognitive control and interceptive awareness, possibly reducing self-regulatory capacity when making immediately gratifying decisions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermographic Assessment of the HAZ Properties and Structure of Thermomechanically Treated Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Górka, Jacek; Janicki, Damian; Fidali, Marek; Jamrozik, Wojciech

2017-12-01

Thermomechanically processed steels are materials of great mechanical properties connected with more than good weldability. This mixture makes them interesting for different types of industrial applications. When creating welded joints, a specified amount of heat is introduced into the welding area and a so called heat-affected zone (HAZ) is formed. The key issue is to reduce the width of the HAZ, because properties of the material in the HAZ are worse than in the base material. In the paper, thermographic measurements of HAZ temperatures were presented as a potential tool for quality assuring the welding process in terms of monitoring and control. The main issue solved was the precise temperature measurement in terms of varying emissivity during a welding thermal cycle. A model of emissivity changes was elaborated and successfully applied. Additionally, material in the HAZ was tested to reveal its properties and connect changes of those properties with heating parameters. The obtained results prove that correctly modeled emissivity allows measurement of temperature, which is a valuable tool for welding process monitoring.

Spectroscopic and antimicrobial studies of polystyrene films under air plasma and He-Ne laser treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pawde, S. M.; Parab, Sanmesh S.

2008-05-01

Polystyrene (PS) films are used in packaging and biomedical applications because of their transparency and good environmental properties. The present investigation is centered on the antifungal and antibacterial activities involved in the film surface. Subsequently, microbial formations were immobilized on the modified PS films. Living microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast were used. Untreated PS films show very fast rate of growth of bacteria within few hours. The study involves developments of polymer surfaces with bacterial growth and further studies after giving antibacterial treatment such as plasma treatment. Major emphasis has been given to study the effect of various parameters which can affect the performance of the improved material. Films were prepared by two methods: plasma treatment under vacuum and under ongoing He-Ne laser source. The parameters such as (1) surface area by contact angle measurements, (2) quality of material before and after treatment by SEM and FTIR spectra and (3) material characterization by UV-vis spectra were studied. It was observed that plasma treatment of the PS material for different processing time improved the surface properties of PS films.

Molecular Dynamics Study of Poly And Monocrystalline CdS/CdTe Junctions and Cu Doped Znte Back Contacts for Solar Cell Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aguirre, Rodolfo, II

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is a material used to make solar cells because it absorbs the sunlight very efficiently and converts it into electricity. However, CdTe modules suffer from degradation of 1% over a period of 1 year. Improvements on the efficiency and stability can be achieved by designing better materials at the atomic scale. Experimental techniques to study materials at the atomic scale, such as Atomic Probe Tomography (APT) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) are expensive and time consuming. On the other hand, Molecular Dynamics (MD) offers an inexpensive and fast computer simulation technique to study the growth evolution of materials with atomic scale resolution. In combination with advance characterization software, MD simulations provide atomistic visualization, defect analysis, structure maps, 3-D atomistic view, and composition profiles. MD simulations help to design better quality materials by predicting material behavior at the atomic scale. In this work, a new MD method to study several phenomena such as polycrystalline growth of CdTe-based materials, interdiffusion of atoms at interfaces, and deposition of a copper doped ZnTe back contact is established. Results are compared with experimental data found in the literature and experiments performed and shown to be in remarkably good agreement.

Biochar for composting improvement and contaminants reduction. A review.

PubMed

Godlewska, Paulina; Schmidt, Hans Peter; Ok, Yong Sik; Oleszczuk, Patryk

2017-12-01

Biochar is characterised by a large specific surface area, porosity, and a large amount of functional groups. All of those features cause that biochar can be a potentially good material in the optimisation of the process of composting and final compost quality. The objective of this study was to compile the current knowledge on the possibility of biochar application in the process of composting and on the effect of biochar on compost properties and on the content of contaminants in compost. The paper presents the effect of biochar on compost maturity indices, composting temperature and moisture, and also on the content and bioavailability of nutrients and of organic and inorganic contaminants. In the paper note is also taken of the effect of biochar added to composted material on plants, microorganisms and soil invertebrates. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methods to increase the rate of mass transfer during osmotic dehydration of foods.

PubMed

Chwastek, Anna

2014-01-01

Traditional methods of food preservation such as freezing, freeze drying (lyophilization), vacuum drying, convection drying are often supplemented by new technologies that enable obtaining of high quality products. Osmotic dehydration is more and more often used during processing of fruits and vegetables. This method allows maintaining good organoleptic and functional properties in the finished product. Obtaining the desired degree of dehydration or saturation of the material with an osmoactive substance often requires  elongation of time or use of high temperatures. In recent years much attention was devoted to techniques aimed at increasing the mass transfer between the dehydrated material and the hypertonic solution. The work reviews the literature focused on methods of streamlining the process of osmotic dehydration which include the use of: ultrasound, high hydrostatic pressure, vacuum osmotic dehydration and pulsed electric field.

Theory as metaphor: clinical knowledge and its communication.

PubMed

Colman, Warren

2009-04-01

This paper investigates the relationship between clinical knowledge and psychological theory and considers the implications for clinical writing. I argue that clinical knowledge is a way of understanding rather than a body of facts and compare clinical material to 'texts' that generate multiple and indeterminate meanings. Analytic theories, which represent the crystallization of ways of understanding clinical phenomena, have an inherently metaphorical 'as if' quality since they are derived from and adapted to the clinical process of making meaning by representing psychic states in symbolic form. Thus good clinical writing demonstrates an integration of theory and clinical material into a unified network of symbolic meanings. Redfearn's paper, 'The captive, the treasure, the hero and the "anal" stage of development' (1979), is discussed as an exemplar of such integration. It is suggested that clinical knowledge is equivalent to the skill of making effective interpretations.

Assessment of aggregate quality and petrographic properties' influence on rock quality: A case study from Nordland county, Norway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kløve Keiding, Jakob; Erichsen, Eyolf; Heldal, Tom; Aslaksen Aasly, Kari

2017-04-01

Good access to construction materials is crucial for future infrastructure development and continued economic growth. In Norway >80 % of construction materials come from crushed aggregates and represent an growing share of the consumption. Although recycling to some extend can cover the need for construction materials, economic growth, increasing population and urbanization necessitates exploitation of new rock resources in Norway as well as many other parts of the world. Aggregates must fulfill a number of technical requirements to ensure high quality and long life expectancy of new roads, buildings and structures. Aggregates also have to be extracted near the consumer market. Particularly for road construction strict criteria are in place for wearing course for roads with high traffic density. Thus knowledge of mechanical rock quality is paramount for both exploitation as well as future resource and land-use planning but is often not assessed or mapped beyond the quarry scale. The Geological survey of Norway runs a database with information about crushed aggregate deposits from >1500 Norwegian quarries and sample sites. Here we use mechanical test analyses from the database to assess the aggregate quality in the Nordland county, Norway. Maps have been produced linking bed rock geology with rock quality parameters. The survey documents that the county is challenged in meeting the requirements for roads with high traffic density and especially in the middle parts of the county many samples have weak mechanical properties. This to some degree reflect that weak Cambro-Silurian rocks like phyllite, schist, carbonate and greenstone are abundant in Nordland. Typically mechanically stronger rock types such as gabbro, monzonite and granite are also exposed in large parts of the county, but are also characterized by relative poor or very variable mechanical test quality. Preliminary results indicate that many intrinsic parameters influence the mechanical rock strength, but variable degrees of deformation in the different tectonostratigraphic units exposed in Nordland affects the rock mechanical properties and is a prominent feature of our mapping. Unsurprisingly rock type, mineralogy, grain size and rock texture are all important factors that have a major control on the mechanical behaviour of the rocks. However, this assessment shows that there is an intricate interaction between these parameters and the resulting mechanical properties at present making it difficult to assess mechanical quality accurately only based on petrographic examination.

A Review of Microwave Thermography Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hong; Yang, Ruizhen; He, Yunze; Foudazi, Ali; Cheng, Liang; Tian, Guiyun

2017-01-01

Microwave thermography (MWT) has many advantages including strong penetrability, selective heating, volumetric heating, significant energy savings, uniform heating, and good thermal efficiency. MWT has received growing interest due to its potential to overcome some of the limitations of microwave nondestructive testing (NDT) and thermal NDT. Moreover, during the last few decades MWT has attracted growing interest in materials assessment. In this paper, a comprehensive review of MWT techniques for materials evaluation is conducted based on a detailed literature survey. First, the basic principles of MWT are described. Different types of MWT, including microwave pulsed thermography, microwave step thermography, microwave pulsed phase thermography, and microwave lock-in thermography are defined and introduced. Then, MWT case studies are discussed. Next, comparisons with other thermography and NDT methods are conducted. Finally, the trends in MWT research are outlined, including new theoretical studies, simulations and modelling, signal processing algorithms, internal properties characterization, automatic separation and inspection systems. This work provides a summary of MWT, which can be utilized for material failures prevention and quality control. PMID:28505130

X-ray computed tomography of wood-adhesive bondlines: Attenuation and phase-contrast effects

DOE PAGES

Paris, Jesse L.; Kamke, Frederick A.; Xiao, Xianghui

2015-07-29

Microscale X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is discussed as a technique for identifying 3D adhesive distribution in wood-adhesive bondlines. Visualization and material segmentation of the adhesives from the surrounding cellular structures require sufficient gray-scale contrast in the reconstructed XCT data. Commercial wood-adhesive polymers have similar chemical characteristics and density to wood cell wall polymers and therefore do not provide good XCT attenuation contrast in their native form. Here, three different adhesive types, namely phenol formaldehyde, polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and a hybrid polyvinyl acetate, are tagged with iodine such that they yield sufficient X-ray attenuation contrast. However, phase-contrast effects at material edgesmore » complicate image quality and segmentation in XCT data reconstructed with conventional filtered backprojection absorption contrast algorithms. A quantitative phase retrieval algorithm, which isolates and removes the phase-contrast effect, was demonstrated. The paper discusses and illustrates the balance between material X-ray attenuation and phase-contrast effects in all quantitative XCT analyses of wood-adhesive bondlines.« less

bcc-iron as a promising new monochromator material for thermal neutrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirscht, Patrick; Sobolev, Oleg; Eckold, Götz

2018-04-01

The development of high-performance neutron monochromators is a long-standing and still actual topic in neutron instrumentation. Due to its high scattering cross section, iron is a particularly interesting material since it offers the possibility to obtain high reflectivities at small wavelength and good resolution. Phase transitions between bcc- and fcc-phases hindered the growth of large and high-quality single crystals in the past and only recently bcc-crystals became commercially available. We have characterized the reflecting properties of as-grown and deformed crystals using γ-rays and thermal neutrons. Absolute reflectivities well above 30% for neutron wavelengths near 1 Å could be obtained that are superior to that of all other existing monochromator materials. Hence, the progress in crystal growth along with the knowledge of directed plastic deformation makes the development of bcc-Fe neutron monochromators feasible. Their application in crystal-monochromator instruments is suitable to increase the useful neutron flux at large energies considerably.

X-ray computed tomography of wood-adhesive bondlines: Attenuation and phase-contrast effects

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

Paris, Jesse L.; Kamke, Frederick A.; Xiao, Xianghui

Microscale X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is discussed as a technique for identifying 3D adhesive distribution in wood-adhesive bondlines. Visualization and material segmentation of the adhesives from the surrounding cellular structures require sufficient gray-scale contrast in the reconstructed XCT data. Commercial wood-adhesive polymers have similar chemical characteristics and density to wood cell wall polymers and therefore do not provide good XCT attenuation contrast in their native form. Here, three different adhesive types, namely phenol formaldehyde, polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and a hybrid polyvinyl acetate, are tagged with iodine such that they yield sufficient X-ray attenuation contrast. However, phase-contrast effects at material edgesmore » complicate image quality and segmentation in XCT data reconstructed with conventional filtered backprojection absorption contrast algorithms. A quantitative phase retrieval algorithm, which isolates and removes the phase-contrast effect, was demonstrated. The paper discusses and illustrates the balance between material X-ray attenuation and phase-contrast effects in all quantitative XCT analyses of wood-adhesive bondlines.« less

Solution Growth of a Novel Nonlinear Optical Material: L-Histidine Tetrafluoroborate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aggarwal, M. D.; Choi, J.; Wang, W. S.; Bhat, K.; Lal, R. B.; Shields, Angela D.; Penn, Benjamin G.; Frazier, Donald O.

1998-01-01

Single crystals of L-Histidine tetrafluoroborate (L-HFB), a semiorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) material have been successfully grown by the temperature lowering and evaporation methods in our laboratory. Solubility curves of L-HFB have been determined in different solvents, such as water, ethanol and acetone. The solubility of L-HFB is very low in acetone, and ethanol, therefore, it is not feasible to grow L-HFB single crystals using these solvents. Good quality single crystals of a novel nonlinear optical material L-HFB have been grown from aqueous solution. Effects of seed orientation on morphologies of L-HFB crystals were studied. The advantages and disadvantage of both the evaporation and the temperature lowering techniques are compared. The single crystals in size 20 x 20 x 10 cubic mm were grown with deionized water as solvent in two weeks with an approximate growth rate of 1.4mm/day. The transmission range for these crystals has been found to be from 250 nm to 1500 nm.

Neutron-diffraction measurement of residual stresses in Al-Cu cold-cut welding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiori, F.; Marcantoni, M.

Usually, when it is necessary to join different materials with a large difference in their melting points, welding should be avoided. To overcome this problem we designed and built a device to obtain cold-cut welding, which is able to strongly decrease oxidation problems of the surfaces to be welded. Thanks to this device it is possible to achieve good joining between different pairs of materials (Al-Ti, Cu-Al, Cu-Al alloys) without reaching the material melting point. The mechanical and microstructural characterisation of the joining and the validation of its quality were obtained using several experimental methods. In particular, in this work neutron-diffraction experiments for the evaluation of residual stresses in Cu-Al junctions are described, carried out at the G5.2 diffractometer of LLB, Saclay. Neutron-diffraction results are presented and related to other experimental tests such as microstructural characterisation (through optical and scanning electron microscopy) and mechanical characterisation (tensile-strength tests) of the welded interface.

Studying the effect of material initial conditions on drying induced stresses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heydari, M.; Khalili, K.; Ahmadi-Brooghani, S. Y.

2018-02-01

Cracking as a result of non-uniform deformation during drying is one of defects that may occur during drying and has to be dealt with by proper drying treatment. In the current study the effect of initial condition has been investigated on stress-strain induced by drying. The convective drying of a porous clay-like material has been simulated by using a mathematical model. Mass and heat transfer along with the mechanical behavior of the object being dried make the phenomenon a highly coupled problem. The coupling variables are the solid displacement, moisture content and temperature of the porous medium. A numerical solution is sought and employed to predict the influence of initial conditions of material on the drying induced stresses, the moisture content, and the temperature variations. Simulation results showed that increasing the initial temperature is an effective way to reduce the stresses induced by drying and to obtain products with good quality without significant change in drying curve and in comparison this is more effective than intermittent drying.

Recycled blocks with improved sound and fire insulation containing construction and demolition waste.

PubMed

Leiva, Carlos; Solís-Guzmán, Jaime; Marrero, Madelyn; García Arenas, Celia

2013-03-01

The environmental problem posed by construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) is derived not only from the high volume produced, but also from its treatment and disposal. Treatment plants receive C&D waste which is then transformed into a recycled mixed aggregate. The byproduct is mainly used for low-value-added applications such as land escape restoration, despite the high quality of the aggregate. In the present work, the chemical composition properties and grading curve properties of these aggregates are defined. Furthermore, the resulting recycled concrete with a high proportion of recycled composition, from 20% to 100% replacement of fine and coarse aggregate, is characterized physically and mechanically. An environmental study of the new construction material when all aggregates are substituted by C&D waste shows a low toxicity level, similar to that of other construction materials. The new material also has improved properties with respect to standard concrete such as high fire resistance, good heat insulation, and acoustic insulation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microstructure-related properties at 193 nm of MgF2 and GdF3 films deposited by a resistive-heating boat.

PubMed

Liu, Ming-Chung; Lee, Cheng-Chung; Kaneko, Masaaki; Nakahira, Kazuhide; Takano, Yuuichi

2006-03-01

MgF2 and GdF3 materials, used for a single-layer coating at 193 nm, are deposited by a resistive-heating boat at specific substrate temperatures. Optical characteristics (transmittance, refractive index, extinction coefficient, and optical loss) and microstructures (morphology and crystalline structure) are investigated and discussed. Furthermore, MgF2 is used as a low-index material, and GdF3 is used as a high-index material for multilayer coatings. Reflectance, stress, and the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) are studied. It is shown that MgF2 and GdF3 thin films, deposited on the substrate at a temperature of 300 degrees C, obtain good quality thin films with high transmittance and little optical loss at 193 nm. For multilayer coatings, the stress mainly comes from MgF2, and the absorption comes from GdF3. Among those coatings, the sixteen-layer design, sub/(1.4L 0.6H)8/air, shows the largest LIDT.

Dose, image quality and spine modeling assessment of biplanar EOS micro-dose radiographs for the follow-up of in-brace adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

PubMed

Morel, Baptiste; Moueddeb, Sonia; Blondiaux, Eleonore; Richard, Stephen; Bachy, Manon; Vialle, Raphael; Ducou Le Pointe, Hubert

2018-05-01

The aim of this study was to compare the radiation dose, image quality and 3D spine parameter measurements of EOS low-dose and micro-dose protocols for in-brace adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. We prospectively included 25 consecutive patients (20 females, 5 males) followed for AIS and undergoing brace treatment. The mean age was 12 years (SD 2 years, range 8-15 years). For each patient, in-brace biplanar EOS radiographs were acquired in a standing position using both the conventional low-dose and micro-dose protocols. Dose area product (DAP) was systematically recorded. Diagnostic image quality was qualitatively assessed by two radiologists for visibility of anatomical structures. The reliability of 3D spine modeling between two operators was quantitatively evaluated for the most clinically relevant 3D radiological parameters using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The mean DAP for the posteroanterior and lateral acquisitions was 300 ± 134 and 433 ± 181 mGy cm 2 for the low-dose radiographs, and 41 ± 19 and 81 ± 39 mGy cm 2 for micro-dose radiographs. Image quality was lower with the micro-dose protocol. The agreement was "good" to "very good" for all measured clinical parameters when comparing the low-dose and micro-dose protocols (ICC > 0.73). The micro-dose protocol substantially reduced the delivered dose (by a factor of 5-7 compared to the low-dose protocol) in braced children with AIS. Although image quality was reduced, the micro-dose protocol proved to be adapted to radiological follow-up, with adequate image quality and reliable clinical measurements. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana gibberellic acid 20 oxidase (AtGA20ox) gene enhance the vegetative growth and fiber quality in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) plants.

PubMed

Withanage, Samanthi Priyanka; Hossain, Md Aktar; Kumar M, Sures; Roslan, Hairul Azman B; Abdullah, Mohammad Puad; Napis, Suhaimi B; Shukor, Nor Aini Ab

2015-06-01

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.; Family: Malvaceae), is multipurpose crop, one of the potential alternatives of natural fiber for biocomposite materials. Longer fiber and higher cellulose contents are required for good quality biocomposite materials. However, average length of kenaf fiber (2.6 mm in bast and 1.28 mm in whole plant) is below the critical length (4 mm) for biocomposite production. Present study describes whether fiber length and cellulose content of kenaf plants could be enhanced by increasing GA biosynthesis in plants by overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana Gibberellic Acid 20 oxidase (AtGA20ox) gene. AtGA20ox gene with intron was overexpressed in kenaf plants under the control of double CaMV 35S promoter, followed by in planta transformation into V36 and G4 varieties of kenaf. The lines with higher levels of bioactive GA (0.3-1.52 ng g(-1) fresh weight) were further characterized for their morphological and biochemical traits including vegetative and reproductive growth, fiber dimension and chemical composition. Positive impact of increased gibberellins on biochemical composition, fiber dimension and their derivative values were demonstrated in some lines of transgenic kenaf including increased cellulose content (91%), fiber length and quality but it still requires further study to confirm the critical level of this particular bioactive GA in transgenic plants.

Overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana gibberellic acid 20 oxidase (AtGA20ox) gene enhance the vegetative growth and fiber quality in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) plants

PubMed Central

Withanage, Samanthi Priyanka; Hossain, Md Aktar; Kumar M., Sures; Roslan, Hairul Azman B; Abdullah, Mohammad Puad; Napis, Suhaimi B.; Shukor, Nor Aini Ab.

2015-01-01

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.; Family: Malvaceae), is multipurpose crop, one of the potential alternatives of natural fiber for biocomposite materials. Longer fiber and higher cellulose contents are required for good quality biocomposite materials. However, average length of kenaf fiber (2.6 mm in bast and 1.28 mm in whole plant) is below the critical length (4 mm) for biocomposite production. Present study describes whether fiber length and cellulose content of kenaf plants could be enhanced by increasing GA biosynthesis in plants by overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana Gibberellic Acid 20 oxidase (AtGA20ox) gene. AtGA20ox gene with intron was overexpressed in kenaf plants under the control of double CaMV 35S promoter, followed by in planta transformation into V36 and G4 varieties of kenaf. The lines with higher levels of bioactive GA (0.3–1.52 ng g−1 fresh weight) were further characterized for their morphological and biochemical traits including vegetative and reproductive growth, fiber dimension and chemical composition. Positive impact of increased gibberellins on biochemical composition, fiber dimension and their derivative values were demonstrated in some lines of transgenic kenaf including increased cellulose content (91%), fiber length and quality but it still requires further study to confirm the critical level of this particular bioactive GA in transgenic plants. PMID:26175614

Brand Name, Store Image, and Country-of-Origin: The Effects on Consumers' Perception of Quality and Price.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

King, Margaret C. A.

1993-01-01

A review of literature indicated that, with regard to brand labels, consumers' perception of price, but not of quality, was affected. Consumers expected to pay more for goods bought in a higher status store and rated imported goods as being more expensive than domestically produced goods. Products from developing countries received lower quality…

Antimüllerian hormone as a predictor of good-quality supernumerary blastocyst cryopreservation among women with levels <1 ng/mL versus 1-4 ng/mL.

PubMed

Kavoussi, Shahryar K; Odenwald, Kate C; Boehnlein, Lynn M; Summers-Colquitt, Roxanne B; Pool, Thomas B; Swain, Jason E; Jones, Jeffrey M; Lindstrom, Mary J; Lebovic, Dan I

2015-09-01

To determine whether antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels predict the availability of good-quality supernumerary blastocysts for cryopreservation. Retrospective study. Two fertility centers. First fresh IVF cycles (n = 247) grouped as follows: 40 women <35 year old with AMH <1 ng/mL and 77 women with AMH 1-4 ng/mL; 62 women ≥35 year old with AMH <1 ng/mL, and 68 women with AMH 1-4 ng/mL. AMH level measured before IVF with ovarian stimulation protocols based on patient age and AMH level, including short gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, GnRH antagonist, or GnRH agonist microdose flare; supernumerary good-quality blastocysts cryopreserved on days 5 or 6 after retrieval. Supernumerary good-quality blastocysts for cryopreservation in relation to AMH levels. Among women <35 years of age, there was a statistically significant difference in the number of patients with supernumerary good-quality blastocysts for cryopreservation between the groups with AMH <1 ng/mL and AMH 1-4 ng/mL (30.0% vs. 58.4%) when adjusted for age. Among women ≥35 years of age, there was a statistically significant difference in the number of patients with supernumerary good-quality blastocyst cryopreservation between groups with AMH <1 ng/mL and AMH 1-4 ng/mL (16.1% vs. 42.6%), when adjusted for age. Low AMH levels are associated with a statistically significantly lower likelihood of blastocysts for cryopreservation as compared with higher AMH levels. This effect was seen among women both <35 and ≥35 years of age. Patient counseling should include realistic expectations for the probability of good-quality supernumerary blastocysts available for cryopreservation. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Finding Quality in "Being Good Enough" Conversations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gibbs, Paul

2011-01-01

This article considers how a contribution based on Rorty's philosophy can help in the understanding of quality and its assurance in higher education. The suggestion is that if quality has an edifying purpose, then it should be seen as an ongoing process and might be aptly judged as being just "good enough". This position is argued for it…

How Good Is Our College? First Edition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Education Scotland, 2016

2016-01-01

The new quality framework, "How good is our college?" is a tool to support and enable colleges to evaluate the quality of provision and services alongside reporting on progress in relation to outcome agreements. It is designed to be used by all college staff. Colleges will evaluate the quality of their provision and services using the 12…

The Club of Rome and its computer.

PubMed

Chase, S

1973-03-01

When the Club of Rome, an assemblage of 75 scientists and businessmen gathered to study the ''predicament of mankind in the face of technology growing at an exponential rate,'' issued its computer study it launched a battle between proponents of gross national product and those favoring quality of life. The computer simulation studied the interaction of population growth, food supply, inductrial production, resource use, and pollution under varying conditions. It concluded that our industrial system is headed for too many people in relation to food and living space, too much production in relation to natural resources, and for too much pollution. This will affect all countries. The traditional economists say the continued growth of the gross national product is the only way to ensure better living conditions while the ecologists point out that quality of life is being destroyed. The author cites arguments both for and against the quality-of-life view. The problem is that continued industrial growth creates wants as well as satisfying them and leads to waste as well as needful consumption. John Stuart Mill stated 100 years ago that the world could not support continued technological expansion and society must reach an equilibrium. 8 steps must be taken if the planet is to reach such an equilibrium, which is essential to the survival of all: 1) a zero rate of population growth, although there may be variations between countries with some over and some under; 2) a zero rate of industrial output with overall new investment equal to overall rate of industrial depreciation; 3) a policy of recycling and conserving material resources; 4) an adequate budget of food, shelter, clothing, health services, and education for every human being (a budget which does not allow for autos and air conditioning); 5) a sharp decline in consumption of material goods in affluent societies with a corresponding shift to more services and an increase in material goods for low energy societies; 6) pure science to be supported without limitation so long as it remains on the blackboard and a sharp increase in social science expenditures to help deal with the severe cultural changes which are coming; 7) evaluation of the effects of applied science or technology before a given innovation goes into mass production; 8) some type of organized world community to administer and safeguard a steady-state society.

[Quality analysis of the statistical used resources (material and methods section) in thesis projects of a university department].

PubMed

Regojo Zapata, O; Lamata Hernández, F; Sánchez Zalabardo, J M; Elizalde Benito, A; Navarro Gil, J; Valdivia Uría, J G

2004-09-01

Studies about quality in thesis and investigation projects in biomedical sciences are unusual, but very important in university teaching because is necessary to improve the quality elaboration of the thesis. The objectives the study were to determine the project's quality of thesis in our department, according to the fulfillment of the scientific methodology and to establish, if it exists, a relation between the global quality of the project and the statistical used resources. Descriptive study of 273 thesis projects performed between 1995-2002 in surgery department of the Zaragoza University. The review realized for 15 observers that they analyzed 28 indicators of every project. Giving a value to each of the indicators, the projects qualified in a scale from 1 to 10 according to the quality in the fulfillment of the scientific methodology. The mean of the project's quality was 5.53 (D.E: 1.77). In 13.9% the thesis projects was concluded with the reading of the work. The three indicators of statistical used resources had a significant difference with the value of the quality projects. The quality of the statistical resources is very important when a project of thesis wants to be realized by good methodology, because it assures to come to certain conclusions. In our study we have thought that more of the third part of the variability in the quality of the project of thesis explains for three statistical above-mentioned articles.

Comics: a medium for today's development messages.

PubMed

Opilas, E A

1978-03-01

Filipino illustrated magazines, or the comics, may yet prove to be the most effective media, if not the most effective, for spreading the country's development messages. Long criticized by intellectuals and the social elite, the comics have been grossly underrated in their potential to inform, persuade, and even influence the life-style of the people. The government's Commission on Population (Popcom) has developed an information-education-communication program using the comics, among other media, to disseminate stories on family planning, responsible parenthood, and related topics. Its best quality is popular appeal, and for publishers and distribution outlets, the comics provide good business. A review of these materials shows that their themes reflect the following topics or issues: 1) population trends and consequences; 2) socioeconomic benefits of family planning; 3) customs which influence family planning; 4) family planning concepts; 5) family planning methods; 6) human sexuality and reproduction; 7) the husband-wife relationship; 8) guides for family planning motivation or communication; and 9) guides for teaching family planning. The materials were developed with 4 qualities in mind so as to attract audience or reader interest: simplicity, familiarity, realism, and attractiveness of materials. The consensus is that in the comics, population and development agencies may have found a "secret weapon" in getting these messages across, and that this new-found use for the illustrated magazines may be giving them a new respectability without in any way diminishing their popular appeal.

A novel way to upgrade the coarse part of a high calcium fly ash for reuse into cement systems.

PubMed

Antiohos, S K; Tsimas, S

2007-01-01

Reject fly ash (rFA) represents a significant portion of the fly ashes produced from coal-fired power plants. Due to the high carbon content and large particle mean diameter, rFA is not utilized in the construction sector (for example, as supplementary cementing material) and is currently dumped into landfills, thus representing an additional environmental burden. Recently, the feasibility of using rFA in a relatively small number of applications, like solidification/stabilization of other wastes, has been investigated by different researchers. However, as the overall amount of fly ash utilized in such applications is still limited, there is a need to investigate other possibilities for rFA utilization starting from a deeper understanding of its properties. In the work presented herein, mechanical and hydration properties of cementitious materials prepared by blending the coarse fraction of a lignite high-calcium fly ash with ordinary cement were monitored and compared with the respective ones of a good quality fly ash-cement mixture. The results of this work reveal that a relatively cheap, bilateral classification-grinding method is able to promote the pozzolanic behavior of the rFAs, so that the overall performances of rFA containing cements are drastically improved. The evaluation of these results supports the belief that appropriate utilization of non-standardized materials may lead to new environmental-friendly products of superior quality.

21 CFR 862.1660 - Quality control material (assayed and unassayed).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Quality control material (assayed and unassayed... Test Systems § 862.1660 Quality control material (assayed and unassayed). (a) Identification. A quality... that may arise from reagent or analytical instrument variation. A quality control material (assayed and...

Drivers of U.S. mineral demand

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sznopek, John L.

2006-01-01

Introduction: The word 'demand' has different meanings for different people. To some, it means their 'wants and needs,' to others it is what they consume. Yet, when considering economics, demand refers to the specific amounts of goods or services that individuals will purchase at various prices. Demand is measured over a given time period. It is determined by a number of factors including income, tastes, and the price of complementary and substitute goods. In this paper, the term consumption is used fairly synonymously with the term demand. Most mineral commodities, like iron ore, copper, zinc, and gravel, are intermediate goods, which means that they are used in the production of other goods, called final goods. Demand for intermediate goods is called derived demand because such demand is derived from the demand for final goods. When demand increases for a commodity, generally the price rises. With everything else held constant, this increases the profits for those who provide this commodity. Normally, this would increase profits of existing producers and attract new producers to the market. When demand for a commodity decreases, generally the price falls. Normally, this would cause profits to fall and, as a consequence, the least efficient firms may be forced from the industry. Demand changes for specific materials as final goods or production techniques are reengineered while maintaining or improving product performance, for example, the use of aluminum in the place of copper in long distance electrical transmission lines or plastic replacing steel in automobile bumpers. Substitution contributes to efficient material usage by utilizing cheaper or technically superior materials. In this way, it may also alleviate materials scarcity. If a material becomes relatively scarce (and thus more expensive), a more abundant (and less expensive) material generally replaces it (Wagner and others, 2003, p. 91).

Effect of Electrical Discharge Machining on Stress Concentration in Titanium Alloy Holes

PubMed Central

Hsu, Wei-Hsuan; Chien, Wan-Ting

2016-01-01

Titanium alloys have several advantages, such as a high strength-to-weight ratio. However, the machinability of titanium alloys is not as good as its mechanical properties. Many machining processes have been used to fabricate titanium alloys. Among these machining processes, electrical discharge machining (EDM) has the advantage of processing efficiency. EDM is based on thermoelectric energy between a workpiece and an electrode. A pulse discharge occurs in a small gap between the workpiece and electrode. Then, the material from the workpiece is removed through melting and vaporization. However, defects such as cracks and notches are often detected at the boundary of holes fabricated using EDM and the irregular profile of EDM holes reduces product quality. In this study, an innovative method was proposed to estimate the effect of EDM parameters on the surface quality of the holes. The method combining the finite element method and image processing can rapidly evaluate the stress concentration factor of a workpiece. The stress concentration factor was assumed as an index of EDM process performance for estimating the surface quality of EDM holes. In EDM manufacturing processes, Ti-6Al-4V was used as an experimental material and, as process parameters, pulse current and pulse on-time were taken into account. The results showed that finite element simulations can effectively analyze stress concentration in EDM holes. Using high energy during EDM leads to poor hole quality, and the stress concentration factor of a workpiece is correlated to hole quality. The maximum stress concentration factor for an EDM hole was more than four times that for the same diameter of the undamaged hole. PMID:28774078

Effect of Electrical Discharge Machining on Stress Concentration in Titanium Alloy Holes.

PubMed

Hsu, Wei-Hsuan; Chien, Wan-Ting

2016-11-24

Titanium alloys have several advantages, such as a high strength-to-weight ratio. However, the machinability of titanium alloys is not as good as its mechanical properties. Many machining processes have been used to fabricate titanium alloys. Among these machining processes, electrical discharge machining (EDM) has the advantage of processing efficiency. EDM is based on thermoelectric energy between a workpiece and an electrode. A pulse discharge occurs in a small gap between the workpiece and electrode. Then, the material from the workpiece is removed through melting and vaporization. However, defects such as cracks and notches are often detected at the boundary of holes fabricated using EDM and the irregular profile of EDM holes reduces product quality. In this study, an innovative method was proposed to estimate the effect of EDM parameters on the surface quality of the holes. The method combining the finite element method and image processing can rapidly evaluate the stress concentration factor of a workpiece. The stress concentration factor was assumed as an index of EDM process performance for estimating the surface quality of EDM holes. In EDM manufacturing processes, Ti-6Al-4V was used as an experimental material and, as process parameters, pulse current and pulse on-time were taken into account. The results showed that finite element simulations can effectively analyze stress concentration in EDM holes. Using high energy during EDM leads to poor hole quality, and the stress concentration factor of a workpiece is correlated to hole quality. The maximum stress concentration factor for an EDM hole was more than four times that for the same diameter of the undamaged hole.

Material quality assurance risk assessment : [summary].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-01-01

With the shift from quality control (QC) of materials and placement techniques : to quality assurance (QA) and acceptance over the years, the role of the Office : of Materials Technology (OMT) has been shifting towards assurance of : material quality...

New high energetic composite propellants for space applications: refrigerated solid propellant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franson, C.; Orlandi, O.; Perut, C.; Fouin, G.; Chauveau, C.; Gökalp, I.; Calabro, M.

2009-09-01

Cryogenic solid propellants (CSP) are a new kind of chemical propellants that use frozen products to ensure the mechanical resistance of the grain. The objective is to combine the high performances of liquid propulsion and the simplicity of solid propulsion. The CSP concept has few disadvantages. Storability is limited by the need of permanent cooling between motor loading and firing. It needs insulations that increase the dry mass. It is possible to limit significantly these drawbacks by using a cooling temperature near the ambient one. It will permit not to change the motor materials and to minimize the supplementary dry mass due to insulator. The designation "Refrigerated Solid Propellant" (RPS) is in that case more appropriate as "Cryogenic Solid Propellant." SNPE Matériaux Energétiques is developing new concept of composition e e with cooling temperature as near the ambient temperature as possible. They are homogeneous and the main ingredients are hydrogen peroxide, polymer and metal or metal hydride, they are called "HydroxalaneTM." This concept allows reaching a high energy level. The expected specific impulse is between 355 and 375 s against 315 s for hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) / ammonium perchlorate (AP) / Al composition. However, the density is lower than for current propellants, between 1377 and 1462 kg/m3 compared to around 1800 kg/m3 . This is an handicap only for volume-limited application. Works have been carried out at laboratory scale to define the quality of the raw materials and the manufacturing process to realize sample and small grain in a safer manner. To assess the process, a small grain with an internal bore had been realized with a composition based on aluminum and water. This grain had shown very good quality, without any defect, and good bonding properties on the insulator.

The reported quality of life of selected home hemodialysis patients.

PubMed

Molzahn, A E

1991-04-01

The quality of life (QoL) of 10 home hemodialysis (HHD) patients was studied using the Aristotelian-Thomistic philosophical theory of the good life. According to this theory, seven types of real goods are required to have a good life. Semistructured interviews were used to determine whether the patients possessed these goods. Also, card sort tasks were used to obtain the patients' ranking of these goods in terms of the importance of the goods and time spent acquiring them. It was found that the subjects were seriously deprived of some of the real goods required to have a good life, including health, vigor, pleasurable feelings, freedom of action, and free time. Goods of personal association and goods of the body were of greatest importance to the subjects. It appears that this theory has some utility in assessing QoL of patients on HHD.

Improving packaged food quality and safety. Part 1: synchrotron X-ray analysis.

PubMed

López-Rubio, A; Hernandez-Muñoz, P; Catala, R; Gavara, R; Lagarón, J M

2005-10-01

The objective was to demonstrate, as an example of an application, the potential of synchrotron X-ray analysis to detect morphological alterations that can occur in barrier packaging materials and structures. These changes can affect the packaging barrier characteristics when conventional food preservation treatments are applied to packaged food. The paper presents the results of a number of experiments where time-resolved combined wide-angle X-ray scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering analysis as a function of temperature and humidity were applied to ethylene-vinyl alcohol co-polymers (EVOH), polypropylene (PP)/EVOH/PP structures, aliphatic polyketone terpolymer (PK) and amorphous polyamide (aPA) materials. A comparison between conventional retorting and high-pressure processing treatments in terms of morphologic alterations are also presented for EVOH. The impact of retorting on the EVOH structure contrasts with the good behaviour of the PK during this treatment and with that of aPA. However, no significant structural changes were observed by wide-angle X-ray scattering in the EVOH structures after high-pressure processing treatment. These structural observations have also been correlated with oxygen permeability measurements that are of importance when guaranteeing the intended levels of safety and quality of packaged food.

Experimental testing of centrifugal pump: small and medium sized enterprise product

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismail, R.; Paddiyatu, F.; Khafidh, M.; Nugroho, S.; Sugiyanto, S.; Jamari, J.

2014-06-01

This paper reports the experimental testing for centrifugal pump for fisherman ship, manufactured by small and medium sized enterprises in Central Java Province, Indonesia. The research covers material analysis, component observation, endurance and vibration test. Six centrifugal pumps are tested and three main pump components are discussed: shaft, bearings and seals. The results show that the material of the shaft is predicted to support and transmit the load from the engine to impeller. The problem found in the tolerance and geometry accuracy of the shaft which causes difficulties during assembling process, excessive wear and leakage during testing. From the endurance and vibration test, the ball bearings fail and lock the shaft due to the fatigue on the rolling elements and raceways. The oil seal and water seal also fail in maintaining the oil and water in the chamber and induce the unlubricated system for the ball bearings. Some suggestions are delivered to improve the product quality of the centrifugal pump. A good quality of the centrifugal pump for fishermen ship and long life span is expected to be produced by local SMEs to win the free trade competition in the Indonesian market.

Development and manufacture of reactive-transfer-printed CIGS photovoltaic modules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eldada, Louay; Sang, Baosheng; Lu, Dingyuan; Stanbery, Billy J.

2010-09-01

In recent years, thin-film photovoltaic (PV) companies started realizing their low manufacturing cost potential, and grabbing an increasingly larger market share from multicrystalline silicon companies. Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) is the most promising thin-film PV material, having demonstrated the highest energy conversion efficiency in both cells and modules. However, most CIGS manufacturers still face the challenge of delivering a reliable and rapid manufacturing process that can scale effectively and deliver on the promise of this material system. HelioVolt has developed a reactive transfer process for CIGS absorber formation that has the benefits of good compositional control, high-quality CIGS grains, and a fast reaction. The reactive transfer process is a two stage CIGS fabrication method. Precursor films are deposited onto substrates and reusable print plates in the first stage, while in the second stage, the CIGS layer is formed by rapid heating with Se confinement. High quality CIGS films with large grains were produced on a full-scale manufacturing line, and resulted in high-efficiency large-form-factor modules. With 14% cell efficiency and 12% module efficiency, HelioVolt started to commercialize the process on its first production line with 20 MW nameplate capacity.

CF60 Concrete Composition Design and Application on Fudiankou Xijiang Super Large Bridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Yi Mei; Wen, Sen Yuan; Chen, Jun Xiang

2018-06-01

Guangxi Wuzhou City Ring Road Fudiankou Xijiang super large bridge CF60 concrete is a new multi-phase composite high-performance concrete, this paper for the Fudiankou Xijiang bridge structure and characteristics of the project, in accordance with the principle of local materials and technical specification requirements, combined with the site conditions of CF60 engineering high performance concrete component materials, proportion and the technical performance, quantify the main physical and mechanical performance index. Analysis main influencing factors of the technical indicators, reasonable adjustment of concrete mix design parameters, and the use of technical means of admixture and multi-function composite admixture of concrete, obtain the optimal proportion of good work, process, mechanical properties stability and durability of engineering properties, recommend and verification of concrete mix; to explore the CF60 high performance concrete Soil in the Fudiankou Xijiang bridge application technology, detection and tracking the quality of concrete construction, concrete structure during the construction of the key technology and control points is proposed, evaluation of CF60 high performance concrete in the actual engineering application effect and benefit to ensure engineering quality of bridge structure and service life, and super long span bridge engineering construction to provide basis and reference.

Stoichiometry control of complex oxides by sequential pulsed-laser deposition from binary-oxide targets

DOE PAGES

Herklotz, A.; Dörr, Kathrin; Ward, T. Z.; ...

2015-04-03

In this paper, to have precise atomic layer control over interfaces, we examine the growth of complex oxides through the sequential deposition from binary targets by pulsed laser deposition. In situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) is used to control the growth and achieve films with excellent structural quality. The growth from binary oxide targets is fundamentally different from single target growth modes and shows more similarities to shuttered growth by molecular beam epitaxy. The RHEED intensity oscillations of non-stoichiometric growth are consistent with a model of island growth and accumulation of excess material on the surface that can bemore » utilized to determine the correct stoichiometry for growth. Correct monolayer doses can be determined through an envelope frequency in the RHEED intensity oscillations. In order to demonstrate the ability of this growth technique to create complex heterostructures, the artificial n = 2 and 3 Sr n +1Ti n O 3 n +1 Ruddlesden-Popper phases are grown with good long-range order. Finally, this method enables the precise unit-cell level control over the structure of perovskite-type oxides, and thus the growth of complex materials with improved structural quality and electronic functionality.« less

Characterization and Simulation of a New Design Parallel-Plate Ionization Chamber for CT Dosimetry at Calibration Laboratories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perini, Ana P.; Neves, Lucio P.; Maia, Ana F.; Caldas, Linda V. E.

2013-12-01

In this work, a new extended-length parallel-plate ionization chamber was tested in the standard radiation qualities for computed tomography established according to the half-value layers defined at the IEC 61267 standard, at the Calibration Laboratory of the Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). The experimental characterization was made following the IEC 61674 standard recommendations. The experimental results obtained with the ionization chamber studied in this work were compared to those obtained with a commercial pencil ionization chamber, showing a good agreement. With the use of the PENELOPE Monte Carlo code, simulations were undertaken to evaluate the influence of the cables, insulator, PMMA body, collecting electrode, guard ring, screws, as well as different materials and geometrical arrangements, on the energy deposited on the ionization chamber sensitive volume. The maximum influence observed was 13.3% for the collecting electrode, and regarding the use of different materials and design, the substitutions showed that the original project presented the most suitable configuration. The experimental and simulated results obtained in this work show that this ionization chamber has appropriate characteristics to be used at calibration laboratories, for dosimetry in standard computed tomography and diagnostic radiology quality beams.

Stoichiometry control of complex oxides by sequential pulsed-laser deposition from binary-oxide targets

DOE PAGES

Herklotz, Andreas; Dorr, Kathrin; Ward, Thomas Zac; ...

2015-04-03

To have precise atomic layer control over interfaces, we examine the growth of complex oxides through the sequential deposition from binary targets by pulsed laser deposition. In situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) is used to control the growth and achieve films with excellent structural quality. The growth from binary oxide targets is fundamentally different from single target growth modes and shows more similarities to shuttered growth by molecular beam epitaxy. The RHEED intensity oscillations of non-stoichiometric growth are consistent with a model of island growth and accumulation of excess material on the surface that can be utilized to determinemore » the correct stoichiometry for growth. Correct monolayer doses can be determined through an envelope frequency in the RHEED intensity oscillations. In order to demonstrate the ability of this growth technique to create complex heterostructures, the artificial n = 2 and 3 Sr n+1Ti nO 3 n+1 Ruddlesden-Popper phases are grown with good long-range order. Furthermore, this method enables the precise unit-cell level control over the structure of perovskite-type oxides, and thus the growth of complex materials with improved structural quality and electronic functionality.« less

Electronic packaging: new results in singulation by Laser Microjet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagner, Frank; Sibailly, Ochelio; Richerzhagen, Bernold

2004-07-01

Cutting electronic packages that are produced in a matrix array fashion is an important process and deals with the ready-to-use devices. Thus an increase in the singulation yield is directly correlated to an increase in benefit. Due to the usage of different substrate materials, the saws encounter big problems in terms of lifetime and constancy of cut quality in these applications. Today"s equipment manufacturers are not yet in the position to propose an adequate solution for all types of packages. Compared to classical laser cutting, the water-jet guided laser technology minimizes the heat damages in any kind of sample. This new material processing method consists in guiding a laser beam inside a hair thin, lowpressure water-jet by total internal reflection, and is applied to package singulation since two years approximately. Using a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser guided by a water jet, an LTCC-ceramics based package is singulated according to a scribe and break process. Speeds of 2-10 mm/s are reached in the LTTC and 40 mm/s in the mold compound. The process is wear-free and provides very good edge quality of the LTCC and the mold compound as well as reliable separation of the packages.

Sensing design and workmanship: the haptic skills of shoppers in eighteenth-century London.

PubMed

Smith, Kate

2012-01-01

This article explores how eighteenth-century shoppers understood the material world around them. It argues that retail experiences exposed shoppers to different objects, which subsequently shaped their understanding of this world. This article builds on recent research that highlights the importance of shop environments and browsing in consumer choice. More particularly, it differentiates itself by examining the practice of handling goods in shops and arguing that sensory interaction with multiple goods was one of the key means by which shoppers comprehended concepts of design and workmanship. In doing so, it affirms the importance of sensory research to design history. The article focuses on consumer purchases of ceramic objects and examines a variety of sources to demonstrate the role of haptic skills in this act. It shows how different literary sources described browsing for goods in gendered and satirical terms and then contrasts these readings against visual evidence to illustrate how handling goods was also represented as a positive act. It reads browsing as a valued practice requiring competence, patience and haptic skills. Through an examination of diary sources, letters and objects this article asks what information shoppers gained from touching various objects. It concludes by demonstrating how repetitive handling in search of quality meant that shoppers acquired their own conception of what constituted workmanship and design.

Ovum pick-up in sheep: a comparison between different aspiration devices for optimal oocyte retrieval.

PubMed

Rodríguez, C; Anel, L; Alvarez, M; Anel, E; Boixo, J C; Chamorro, C A; de Paz, P

2006-04-01

In vivo ovum pick-up (OPU) in sheep may be improved with a proper choice of aspiration elements (needle and tubing) and aspiration vacuum pressure. In the present study, two experiments were carried out. In Expt 1, visible follicles in ovaries of slaughtered ewes (treated separately according to their diameters: small<3 mm, medium 3-5 mm and large>5 mm) were aspirated using different combinations of the three studied factors such as aspiration flow rate (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ml water/min), needle gauge (18 and 20 G) and tubing inner diameter (1, 2 or 3 mm internal diameter). In Expt 2, a study with two 18 G needles of different lengths (18 G: 82 mm; 18 GL: 600 mm) was carried out, using ovaries obtained post-mortem, and performing in vivo laparoscopic follicular aspiration on ewes. We considered good quality oocytes as those with both complete compact cumulus and a homogeneous cytoplasm. Recovery rate, proportion of good quality oocytes (good quality oocytes/100 oocytes recovered) and overall efficiency (good quality oocytes/100 follicles aspirated) were noted. In Expt 1, aspiration flow rate affect remarkable proportion of good quality oocytes (69.5%, 50.5%, 44.8%, 36.5% and 28.3% for flows from 10 to 50 ml/min respectively, p<0.05). Needle gauge did not affect aspiration device efficiency. Thin and intermediate tubings were more effective (overall efficiency rates: 34.9%, 32.3% and 28.1% for 1, 2 and 3 mm respectively, p<0.05). Follicle size did not affect recovery rate, but proportion of good quality oocytes was higher for large (77.9%) and medium (64.4%) follicles (p<0.05). Finally, some combinations of the aspiration device showed greater effectiveness. In Expt 2, needle length did not influence recovery rate, but good quality oocytes rate was significantly modified both post-mortem and in vivo (good quality rate for 18 G vs 18 GL needles: 69.5% vs 47.7% and 58.1% vs 25.4%, post-mortem and in vivo respectively, p<0.05). We conclude that low-aspiration flow rates (10 and 20 ml/min) with thin or intermediate tubings (1 and 2 mm), and any short needle (18 G or 20 G) are the most adequate aspiration factors for OPU in sheep.

Image Quality and Stenosis Assessment of Non-Contrast-Enhanced 3-T Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease Compared with Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Digital Subtraction Angiography

PubMed Central

Liu, Jiayi; Zhang, Nan; Fan, Zhaoyang; Luo, Nan; Zhao, Yike; Bi, Xiaoming; An, Jing; Chen, Zhong; Liu, Dongting; Wen, Zhaoying; Fan, Zhanming; Li, Debiao

2016-01-01

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic performance of flow-sensitive dephasing (FSD)-prepared steady-state free precession (SSFP) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at 3 T for imaging infragenual arteries relative to contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Materials and Methods A series of 16 consecutive patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) underwent a combined peripheral MRA protocol consisting of FSD-MRA for the calves and large field-of-view CE-MRA. DSA was performed on all patients within 1 week of the MR angiographies. Image quality and degree of stenosis was assessed by two readers with rich experience. Inter-observer agreement was determined using kappa statistics. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the diagnostic value of FSD-MRA, CE-MRA, and CE-MRA combined with FSD-MRA (CE+FSD MRA) in predicting vascular stenosis. Results At the calf station, no significantly difference of subjective image quality scores was found between FSD-MRA and CE-MRA. Inter-reader agreement was excellent for both FSD-MRA and CE-MRA. Both of FSD-MRA and CE-MRA carry a stenosis overestimation risk relative to DSA standard. With DSA as the reference standard, ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was largest for CE+FSD MRA. The greatest sensitivity and specificity were obtained when a cut-off stenosis score of 2 was used. Conclusion In patients with severe PAD,3 T FSD-MRA provides good-quality diagnostic images without a contrast agent and is a good supplement for CE-MRA. CE+FSD MRA can improve the accuracy of vascular stenosis diagnosis. PMID:27861626

26 CFR 1.472-1 - Last-in, first-out inventories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... may elect to have such method apply to the raw materials only (including those included in goods in... adjustments are confined to costs of the raw material in the inventory and the cost of the raw material in... that the opening inventory had 10 units of raw material, 10 units of goods in process, and 10 units of...

26 CFR 1.472-1 - Last-in, first-out inventories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... may elect to have such method apply to the raw materials only (including those included in goods in... adjustments are confined to costs of the raw material in the inventory and the cost of the raw material in... that the opening inventory had 10 units of raw material, 10 units of goods in process, and 10 units of...

26 CFR 1.472-1 - Last-in, first-out inventories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... may elect to have such method apply to the raw materials only (including those included in goods in... adjustments are confined to costs of the raw material in the inventory and the cost of the raw material in... that the opening inventory had 10 units of raw material, 10 units of goods in process, and 10 units of...

26 CFR 1.472-1 - Last-in, first-out inventories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... may elect to have such method apply to the raw materials only (including those included in goods in... adjustments are confined to costs of the raw material in the inventory and the cost of the raw material in... that the opening inventory had 10 units of raw material, 10 units of goods in process, and 10 units of...

Hospital quality: a product of good management as much as good treatment.

PubMed

Hyde, Andy; Frafjord, Anders

2013-01-01

In Norway, as in most countries, the demands placed on hospitals to reduce costs and improve the quality of services are intense. Although many say that improving quality reduces costs, few can prove it. Futhermore, how many people can show that improving quality improves patient satisfaction. Diakonhjemmet hospital in Norway has designed and implemented a hospital management system based on lean principles and the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) quality circle introduced by WE Deming (Deming 2000). The results are quite impressive with improvements in quality and patient satisfaction. The hospital also runs at a profit.

Correlates of a good death and the impact of hospice involvement: findings from the national survey of households affected by cancer.

PubMed

Cagle, John G; Pek, Jolynn; Clifford, Maggie; Guralnik, Jack; Zimmerman, Sheryl

2015-03-01

Knowing how to improve the dying experience for patients with end-stage cancer is essential for cancer professionals. However, there is little evidence on the relationship between clinically relevant factors and quality of death. Also, while hospice has been linked with improved outcomes, our understanding of factors that contribute to a "good death" when hospice is involved remains limited. This study (1) identified correlates of a good death and (2) provided evidence on the impact of hospice on quality of death. Using data from a survey of US households affected by cancer (N = 930, response rate 51 %), we fit regression models with a subsample of 158 respondents who had experienced the death of a family member with cancer. Measures included quality of death (good/bad) and clinically relevant factors including: hospice involvement, symptoms during treatment, whether wishes were followed, provider knowledge/expertise, and compassion. Respondents were 60 % female, 89 % White, and averaged 57 years old. Decedents were most often a respondent's spouse (46 %). While 73 % of respondents reported a good death, Hispanics were less likely to experience good death (p = 0.007). Clinically relevant factors, including hospice, were associated with good death (p < 0.05)--an exception being whether the physician said the cancer was curable/fatal. With adjustments, perceptions of provider knowledge/expertise was the only clinical factor that remained associated with good death. Enhanced provider training/communication, referrals to hospice and greater attention to symptom management may facilitate improved quality of dying. Additionally, the cultural relevance of the concept of a "good death" warrants further research.

Quality of phenobarbital solid-dosage forms in the urban community of Nouakchott (Mauritania).

PubMed

Laroche, Marie-Laure; Traore, Hamidou; Merle, Louis; Gaulier, Jean-Michel; Viana, Marylene; Preux, Pierre-Marie

2005-08-01

Epilepsy is a major public-health problem in Africa. The quality of available drugs is a limiting factor for an adequate management. The aim of this study was to describe the proportion of poor-quality phenobarbital (PB) solid-dosage forms and evaluate the factors associated with its quality in Nouakchott (Mauritania). A cross-sectional study was carried out within pharmacies, hospitals, and on the parallel market in March 2003. PB samples were bought by a native person and then assayed by a liquid chromatography method. A package was considered to be of good quality if the active-substance average content was between 85 and 115% of the stated content printed on the packet. Forty-five pharmaceutical stores were visited, enabling us to collect 146 samples of PB. Three brand names were available in Nouakchott. They originated from France, Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt. Results: A prevalence of 13.7%[95% confidence interval (CI), 8.8-20.0] of poor-quality PB was found. All samples from Morocco were underdosed. The generic active content was satisfactory, but saccharose, an excipient with a potential side effects, was identified. Two factors associated with the good quality of PB have been put forward: tablets manufactured in France and loose packaging as generics conditioned in such a way were of good quality. This study shows that the quality of antiepileptic drugs in Africa is still worrying. The setting up of medicine quality control in Mauritania is legitimate. Considering the good quality of generic PB and its lower cost, this type of medicine should be promoted in this region.

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

Ren, Wei, E-mail: wei.ren@helsinki.fi; Avchaciov, Konstantin; Nordlund, Kai

Carbon nanotubes are of wide interest due to their excellent properties such as tensile strength and electrical and thermal conductivity, but are not, when placed alone on a substrate, well resistant to mechanical wear. Diamond-like carbon (DLC), on the other hand, is widely used in applications due to its very good wear resistance. Combining the two materials could provide a very durable pure carbon nanomaterial enabling to benefit from the best properties of both carbon allotropes. However, the synthesis of high-quality diamond-like carbon uses energetic plasmas, which can damage the nanotubes. From previous works it is neither clear whether themore » quality of the tubes remains good after DLC deposition, nor whether the DLC above the tubes retains the high sp{sup 3} bonding fraction. In this work, we use experiments and classical molecular dynamics simulations to study the mechanisms of DLC formation on various carbon nanotube compositions. The results show that high-sp{sup 3}-content DLC can be formed provided the deposition conditions allow for sidewards pressure to form from a substrate close beneath the tubes. Under optimal DLC formation energies of around 40–70 eV, the top two nanotube atom layers are fully destroyed by the plasma deposition, but layers below this can retain their structural integrity.« less

Investigation into the Fiber Orientation Effect on the Formability of GLARE Materials in the Stamp Forming Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Shichen; Lang, Lihui; Sherkatghanad, Ehsan; Wang, Yao; Xu, Wencai

2018-04-01

Glass-reinforced aluminum laminate (GLARE) is a new class of fiber metal laminates (FMLs) which has the advantages such as high tensile strength, outstanding fatigue, impact resistance, and excellent corrosion properties. GLARE has been extensively applied in advanced aerospace and automobile industries. However, the deformation behavior of the glass fiber during forming must be studied to the benefits of the good-quality part we form. In this research, we focus on the effect of fiber layer orientation on the GLARE laminate formability in stamp forming process. Experimental and numerical analysis of stamping a hemisphere part in different fiber orientation is investigated. The results indicate that unidirectional and multi-directional fiber in the middle layer make a significant effect on the thinning and also surface forming quality of the three layer sheet. Furthermore, the stress-strain distribution of the aluminum alloy and the unique anisotropic property of the fiber layer exhibit that fiber layer orientation can also affect the forming depths as well as the fracture modes of the laminate. According to the obtained results, it is revealed that multi-directional fiber layers are a good alternative compared to the unidirectional fibers especially when a better formability is the purpose.

USEEIO: a New and Transparent United States ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

National-scope environmental life cycle models of goods and services may be used for many purposes, not limited to quantifying impacts of production and consumption of nations, assessing organization-wide impacts, identifying purchasing hot spots, analyzing environmental impacts of policies, and performing streamlined life cycle assessment. USEEIO is a new environmentally extended input-output model of the United States fit for such purposes and other sustainable materials management applications. USEEIO melds data on economic transactions between 389 industry sectors with environmental data for these sectors covering land, water, energy and mineral usage and emissions of greenhouse gases, criteria air pollutants, nutrients and toxics, to build a life cycle model of 385 US goods and services. In comparison with existing US input-output models, USEEIO is more current with most data representing year 2013, more extensive in its coverage of resources and emissions, more deliberate and detailed in its interpretation and combination of data sources, and includes formal data quality evaluation and description. USEEIO was assembled with a new Python module called the IO Model Builder capable of assembling and calculating results of user-defined input-output models and exporting the models into LCA software. The model and data quality evaluation capabilities are demonstrated with an analysis of the environmental performance of an average hospital in the US. All USEEIO f

Investigation of improving MEMS-type VOA reliability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Seok K.; Lee, Yeong G.; Park, Moo Y.

2003-12-01

MEMS technologies have been applied to a lot of areas, such as optical communications, Gyroscopes and Bio-medical components and so on. In terms of the applications in the optical communication field, MEMS technologies are essential, especially, in multi dimensional optical switches and Variable Optical Attenuators(VOAs). This paper describes the process for the development of MEMS type VOAs with good optical performance and improved reliability. Generally, MEMS VOAs have been fabricated by silicon micro-machining process, precise fibre alignment and sophisticated packaging process. Because, it is composed of many structures with various materials, it is difficult to make devices reliable. We have developed MEMS type VOSs with many failure mode considerations (FMEA: Failure Mode Effect Analysis) in the initial design step, predicted critical failure factors and revised the design, and confirmed the reliability by preliminary test. These predicted failure factors were moisture, bonding strength of the wire, which wired between the MEMS chip and TO-CAN and instability of supplied signals. Statistical quality control tools (ANOVA, T-test and so on) were used to control these potential failure factors and produce optimum manufacturing conditions. To sum up, we have successfully developed reliable MEMS type VOAs with good optical performances by controlling potential failure factors and using statistical quality control tools. As a result, developed VOAs passed international reliability standards (Telcodia GR-1221-CORE).

Investigation of improving MEMS-type VOA reliability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Seok K.; Lee, Yeong G.; Park, Moo Y.

2004-01-01

MEMS technologies have been applied to a lot of areas, such as optical communications, Gyroscopes and Bio-medical components and so on. In terms of the applications in the optical communication field, MEMS technologies are essential, especially, in multi dimensional optical switches and Variable Optical Attenuators(VOAs). This paper describes the process for the development of MEMS type VOAs with good optical performance and improved reliability. Generally, MEMS VOAs have been fabricated by silicon micro-machining process, precise fibre alignment and sophisticated packaging process. Because, it is composed of many structures with various materials, it is difficult to make devices reliable. We have developed MEMS type VOSs with many failure mode considerations (FMEA: Failure Mode Effect Analysis) in the initial design step, predicted critical failure factors and revised the design, and confirmed the reliability by preliminary test. These predicted failure factors were moisture, bonding strength of the wire, which wired between the MEMS chip and TO-CAN and instability of supplied signals. Statistical quality control tools (ANOVA, T-test and so on) were used to control these potential failure factors and produce optimum manufacturing conditions. To sum up, we have successfully developed reliable MEMS type VOAs with good optical performances by controlling potential failure factors and using statistical quality control tools. As a result, developed VOAs passed international reliability standards (Telcodia GR-1221-CORE).

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

Dalla Palma, M.; Quaranta, A.; INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro,Viale dell'Universita, 2, 35020 Legnaro - Padova

In the last decade, attention toward neutron detection has been growing in the scientific community, driven by new requirements in different fields of application ranging from homeland security to medical and material analysis, from research physics, to nuclear energy production. So far neutron detection, with particular attention to fast neutrons, has been mainly based on organic liquid scintillators, owing to their good efficiency and pulse shape discrimination (PSD) capability. Most of these liquids have however some main drawbacks given by toxicity, flammability, volatility and sensitivity to dissolved oxygen that limits the duration and the quality of their performances with worsemore » handiness and increased costs. Phenyl-substituted polysiloxanes could address most of these issues, being characterized by low toxicity, low volatility and low flammability. Their optical properties can be tailored by changing the phenyl distribution and concentration thus allowing to increase the solubility of organic dyes, to modify the fluorescence spectra and to vary the refractive index of the medium. Furthermore, polysiloxanes have been recently exploited for the production of plastic scintillators with very good chemical and thermal stability and very good radiation hardness and the development of polysiloxane liquid scintillators could allow to combine these interesting properties with the supremacy of liquid scintillators as regarding PSD over plastics. For these reasons, the properties of several phenyl-substituted polysiloxane with different phenyl amounts and different viscosities have been investigated, with particular attention to the scintillation response and the pulse shape discrimination capability, and the results of the investigation are reported in this work. More in details, the scintillation light yield towards gamma rays ({sup 60}Co and {sup 137}Cs) of several polysiloxane liquids has been analyzed and compared with the light yield of a commercial non-toxic liquid scintillator (EJ309). The results have been related to the optical characterization of these materials, especially as regarding the fluorescence response, and the best performing material (1,1,5,5-Tetraphenyl 1,3,3,5-Tetramethyl Trisiloxane) showed a scintillation light-yield only slightly lower than EJ309, proving to be a promising candidate for the production of an efficient polysiloxane based liquid scintillator. The results as regarding the neutron-gamma pulse shape discrimination capability of the best performing materials are also reported in this work and the scintillation decay time of these materials are compared to the results of fluorescence lifetime analysis. PSD tests have been performed at CN accelerator in Legnaro National Laboratories with a 2.2 MeV pulsed neutron beam using TOF procedure and the pulses have been analyzed in order to evidence the PSD capability of every sample. The reported results pave the way to the development of a new promising class of non-toxic liquid scintillating materials for neutron detection, with good light output and interesting PSD characteristics. (authors)« less

Functional properties of gluten-free pasta produced from amaranth, quinoa and buckwheat.

PubMed

Schoenlechner, Regine; Drausinger, Julian; Ottenschlaeger, Veronika; Jurackova, Katerina; Berghofer, Emmerich

2010-12-01

The use of amaranth, quinoa and buckwheat for the production of gluten-free pasta was investigated in the present study. The aim of the work was to produce pasta of good textural quality, in particular, low cooking loss, optimal cooking weight and texture firmness. The results demonstrated that pasta produced from amaranth had decreased texture firmness and cooking time, while pasta from quinoa mainly showed increased cooking loss. In buckwheat pasta the least negative effects were observed. By combination of all three raw materials to one flour blend in the ratio of 60% buckwheat, 20% amaranth and 20% quinoa, dough matrix was improved. After decreasing dough moisture to 30%, addition of an increased amount of egg white powder of 6% and addition of 1.2% emulsifier (distilled monoglycerides) texture firmness as well as cooking quality of gluten-free pasta produced from such a flour blend reached acceptable values comparable to wheat pasta.

Studies on the InAlN/InGaN/InAlN/InGaN double channel heterostructures with low sheet resistance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yachao; Wang, Zhizhe; Xu, Shengrui; Chen, Dazheng; Bao, Weimin; Zhang, Jinfeng; Zhang, Jincheng; Hao, Yue

2017-11-01

High quality InAlN/InGaN/InAlN/InGaN double channel heterostructures were proposed and grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Benefiting from the adoption of the pulsed growth method and Two-Step AlN interlayer, the material quality and interface characteristics of the double channel heterostructures are satisfactory. The results of the temperature-dependent Hall effect measurement indicated that the transport properties of the double channel heterostructures were superior to those of the traditional single channel heterostructures in the whole test temperature range. Meanwhile, the sheet resistance of the double channel heterostructures reached 218.5 Ω/□ at 300 K, which is the record of InGaN-based heterostructures. The good transport properties of the InGaN double channel heterostructures are beneficial to improve the performance of the microwave power devices based on nitride semiconductors.

Dielectric properties characterization of saline solutions by near-field microwave microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Sijia; Lin, Tianjun; Lasri, Tuami

2017-01-01

Saline solutions are of a great interest when characterizations of biological fluids are targeted. In this work a near-field microwave microscope is proposed for the characterization of liquids. An interferometric technique is suggested to enhance measurement sensitivity and accuracy. The validation of the setup and the measurement technique is conducted through the characterization of a large range of saline concentrations (0-160 mg ml-1). Based on the measured resonance frequency shift and quality factor, the complex permittivity is successfully extracted as exhibited by the good agreement found when comparing the results to data obtained from Cole-Cole model. We demonstrate that the near field microwave microscope (NFMM) brings a great advantage by offering the possibility to select a resonance frequency and a quality factor for a given concentration level. This method provides a very effective way to largely enhance the measurement sensitivity in high loss materials.

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.

The influence of early embryo traits on human embryonic stem cell derivation efficiency.

PubMed

O'Leary, Thomas; Heindryckx, Björn; Lierman, Sylvie; Van der Jeught, Margot; Menten, Björn; Deforce, Dieter; Cornelissen, Ria; de Sousa Lopes, Susana Chuva; De Sutter, Petra

2011-05-01

Despite its prognostic value in in vitro fertilization, early embryo morphology is not reported on in the derivation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines. Standard hESC derivation does rely on blastocyst development and its efficiency is highly correlated to inner cell mass (ICM) quality. Poor-quality embryos (PQEs) donated for hESC derivation may have a range of cleavage-stage abnormalities that are known to compromise further development. This study was implemented to determine whether specific PQEs traits influence the efficiency of good-quality ICMs to derive new hESC lines. We found that although the types of PQEs investigated were all able to make blastocysts with good-quality ICMs, the ICMs were unequal in their ability to derive hESCs. Good-quality ICMs from embryos with multiple poor-quality traits were unable to generate hESC lines, in contrast to good-quality ICMs from embryos with a single poor-quality trait. In addition, our data suggest a direct correlation between the number of ICM cells present in the blastocyst and its capacity to derive new hESC lines. This study is the first to demonstrate that ICM quality alone is an incomplete indicator of hESC derivation and that application of in vitro fertilization-based early embryo scoring can help predict hESC derivation efficiency. Experiments aiming to quantify, improve upon, or compare hESC derivation efficiency should thus take into consideration early embryo morphology scoring for the comparison of groups with equal developmental competence.

YouTube as a source of clinical skills education.

PubMed

Duncan, Ian; Yarwood-Ross, Lee; Haigh, Carol

2013-12-01

YouTube may be viewed as a great 'time waster' but a significant amount of educative material can be found if the user is carefully selective. Interestingly, the growth of educational video on YouTube is closely associated to video viewership which increased from 22% to 38% between 2007 and 2009. This paper describes the findings of a study undertaken to assess the quality of clinical skills videos available on the video sharing site YouTube. This study evaluated 100 YouTube sites, approximately 1500 min or 25 h worth of content across 10 common clinical skill related topics. In consultation with novice practitioners, nurses in the first year of their university diploma programme, we identified ten common clinical skills that typically students would explore in more detail or would wish to revisit outside of the formal teaching environment. For each of these topics, we viewed each of the first 10 videos on the YouTube website. The videos were evaluated using a modification of the criteria outlined in Evaluation of Video Media Guideline. The topic with the biggest number of both postings and views was cardiopulmonary resuscitation and more specialist, nursing or health related topics such as managing a syringe driver or undertaking a pain assessment had less video content and lower numbers of viewers. Only one video out of the 100 analysed could be categorised as 'good' and that was the one in the Cannulation section. 60% of the CPR and venepuncture content was categorised as 'satisfactory'. There is a clear need for the quality of YouTube videos to be subjected to a rigorous evaluation. Lecturers should be more proactive in recommending suitable YouTube material as supplementary learning materials after appropriately checking for quality. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reputation and Competition in a Hidden Action Model

PubMed Central

Fedele, Alessandro; Tedeschi, Piero

2014-01-01

The economics models of reputation and quality in markets can be classified in three categories. (i) Pure hidden action, where only one type of seller is present who can provide goods of different quality. (ii) Pure hidden information, where sellers of different types have no control over product quality. (iii) Mixed frameworks, which include both hidden action and hidden information. In this paper we develop a pure hidden action model of reputation and Bertrand competition, where consumers and firms interact repeatedly in a market with free entry. The price of the good produced by the firms is contractible, whilst the quality is noncontractible, hence it is promised by the firms when a contract is signed. Consumers infer future quality from all available information, i.e., both from what they know about past quality and from current prices. According to early contributions, competition should make reputation unable to induce the production of high-quality goods. We provide a simple solution to this problem by showing that high quality levels are sustained as an outcome of a stationary symmetric equilibrium. PMID:25329387

Reputation and competition in a hidden action model.

PubMed

Fedele, Alessandro; Tedeschi, Piero

2014-01-01

The economics models of reputation and quality in markets can be classified in three categories. (i) Pure hidden action, where only one type of seller is present who can provide goods of different quality. (ii) Pure hidden information, where sellers of different types have no control over product quality. (iii) Mixed frameworks, which include both hidden action and hidden information. In this paper we develop a pure hidden action model of reputation and Bertrand competition, where consumers and firms interact repeatedly in a market with free entry. The price of the good produced by the firms is contractible, whilst the quality is noncontractible, hence it is promised by the firms when a contract is signed. Consumers infer future quality from all available information, i.e., both from what they know about past quality and from current prices. According to early contributions, competition should make reputation unable to induce the production of high-quality goods. We provide a simple solution to this problem by showing that high quality levels are sustained as an outcome of a stationary symmetric equilibrium.

Removal of Lattice Imperfections that Impact the Optical Quality of Ti:Sapphire using Advanced Magnetorheological Finishing Techniques

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

Menapace, J A; Schaffers, K I; Bayramian, A J

2007-10-09

Ti:sapphire has become the premier lasing medium material for use in solid-state femtosecond high-peak power laser systems because of its wide wavelength tuning range. With a tuneable range from 680 to 1100 nm, peaking at 800 nm, Ti:sapphire lasing crystals can easily be tuned to the required pump wavelength and provide very high pump brightness due to their good beam quality and high output power of typically several watts. Femtosecond lasers are used for precision cutting and machining of materials ranging from steel to tooth enamel to delicate heart tissue and high explosives. These ultra-short pulses are too brief tomore » transfer heat or shock to the material being cut, which means that cutting, drilling, and machining occur with virtually no damage to surrounding material. Furthermore, these lasers can cut with high precision, making hairline cuts of less than 100 microns in thick materials along a computer-generated path. Extension of laser output to higher energies is limited by the size of the amplification medium. Yields of high quality large diameter crystals have been constrained by lattice distortions that may appear in the boule limiting the usable area from which high quality optics can be harvested. Lattice distortions affect the transmitted wavefront of these optics which ultimately limits the high-end power output and efficiency of the laser system, particularly when operated in multi-pass mode. To make matters even more complicated, Ti:sapphire is extremely hard (Mohs hardness of 9 with diamond being 10) which makes it extremely difficult to accurately polish using conventional methods without subsurface damage or significant wavefront error. In this presentation, we demonstrate for the first time that Magnetorheological finishing (MRF) can be used to compensate for the lattice distortions in Ti:sapphire by perturbing the transmitted wavefront. The advanced MRF techniques developed allow for precise polishing of the optical inverse of lattice distortions with magnitudes of about 70 nm in optical path difference onto one or both of the optical surfaces to produce high quality optics from otherwise unusable Ti:sapphire crystals. The techniques include interferometric, software, and machine modifications to precisely locate and polish sub-millimeter sites onto the optical surfaces that can not be polished into the optics conventionally. This work may allow extension of Ti:sapphire based systems to peak powers well beyond one petawatt.« less

31 CFR 545.413 - Importation of goods from third countries; transshipments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...; transshipments. (a) Importation into the United States from third countries of goods containing raw materials or... raw materials or components have been incorporated into manufactured products or otherwise...

Extrinsic Versus Intrinsic Seismic Anisotropy and Attenuation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montagner, J. P.; Ricard, Y. R.; Capdeville, Y.; Bodin, T.; Wang, N.

2015-12-01

The apparent large scale anisotropy is the mixing of intrinsic anisotropic minerals (LPO) and extrinsic anisotropy due to materials with fine layering, fluid inclusions, cracks (SPO) . The same issue arises for attenuation (with many different anelastic processes). The proportion of extrinsic and intrinsic anisotropy and attenuation in the Earth mantle is still an open question. The interpretation of observations of seismic anisotropy and attenuation is the subject of controversies and often contradictory according to their intrinsic or extrinsic nature. Fine layering is a good candidate for explaining at the same time a large part of observed radial anisotropy (Wang et al., Geophys. Res. Lett., 2013) and attenuation (Ricard et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 2014). A plausible model of mixing of materials in a chaotic convecting fluid creates a spectrum of heterogeneity varying like 1/k (k wavenumber of the heterogeneity). A body wave propagating in a finely layered medium will be scattered and its distorted waveform can be interpreted as due to attenuation with a quality factor Q. We showed that, with the specific 1/k spectrum and only 6-9% RMS heterogeneity, the resulting apparent attenuation Q is frequency independent. Aggregates of randomly orientated anisotropic minerals are good candidates for giving rise to this extrinsic apparent attenuation. The relationship for a 1/k spectrum with apparent seismic anisotropy is also explored.

Lithographic microfabrication of biocompatible polymers for tissue engineering and lab-on-a-chip applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balciunas, Evaldas; Jonusauskas, Linas; Valuckas, Vytautas; Baltriukiene, Daiva; Bukelskiene, Virginija; Gadonas, Roaldas; Malinauskas, Mangirdas

2012-06-01

In this work, a combination of Direct Laser Writing (DLW), PoliDiMethylSiloxane (PDMS) soft lithography and UV lithography was used to create cm- scale microstructured polymer scaolds for cell culture experiments out of dierent biocompatible materials: novel hybrid organic-inorganic SZ2080, PDMS elastomer, biodegradable PEG- DA-258 and SU-8. Rabbit muscle-derived stem cells were seeded on the fabricated dierent periodicity scaolds to evaluate if the relief surface had any eect on cell proliferation. An array of microlenses was fabricated using DLW out of SZ2080 and replicated in PDMS and PEG-DA-258, showing good potential applicability of the used techniques in many other elds like micro- and nano- uidics, photonics, and MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS). The synergetic employment of three dierent fabrication techniques allowed to produce desired objects with low cost, high throughput and precision as well as use materials that are dicult to process by other means (PDMS and PEG-DA-258). DLW is a relatively slow fabrication method, since the object has to be written point-by-point. By applying PDMS soft lithography, we were enabled to replicate laser-fabricated scaolds for stem cell growth and micro-optical elements for lab-on-a-chip applications with high speed, low cost and good reproducible quality.

Drive-level dependence of doubly rotated langasite resonators with different configurations.

PubMed

Zhang, Haifeng; Kosinski, John; Xie, Yuan; Turner, Joseph

2013-05-01

The miniaturization of crystal resonators and filters toward the micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) and nano-structured scales demands improvement of nonlinear piezoelectricity theory and a better understanding of the nonlinear behavior of new crystal materials. The nonlinearities affect the quality factor and acoustic behavior of MEMS and nano-structured resonators and filters. Among these nonlinear effects, drive-level dependence (DLD), which describes the instability of the resonator frequency resulting from voltage level and/or power density, is a potentially significant problem for miniaturized resonators. Langasite, a promising new piezoelectric material, is of current interest for a variety of applications because of its good temperature behavior, good piezoelectric coupling, low acoustic loss, and high Q-factor. It has been recently used to make high-temperature MEMS. In this paper, we report experimental measurements of the DLD of langasite resonators with different resonator configurations (plano-plano, single bevel, and double bevel). The results show that the resonator configuration affects the DLD of the langasite resonator. The DLD measurement results for langasite are compared with literature values for quartz, langaniste, and langatate, and with additional new measurements for a GaPO4 resonator of type R-30 (-11.1° rotated Y-cut). Uncertainty analysis for the measured drive-level sensitivity is performed as well.

Quality control process improvement of flexible printed circuit board by FMEA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasaephol, Siwaporn; Chutima, Parames

2018-02-01

This research focuses on the quality control process improvement of Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB), centred around model 7-Flex, by using Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) method to decrease proportion of defective finished goods that are found at the final inspection process. Due to a number of defective units that were found at the final inspection process, high scraps may be escaped to customers. The problem comes from poor quality control process which is not efficient enough to filter defective products from in-process because there is no In-Process Quality Control (IPQC) or sampling inspection in the process. Therefore, the quality control process has to be improved by setting inspection gates and IPCQs at critical processes in order to filter the defective products. The critical processes are analysed by the FMEA method. IPQC is used for detecting defective products and reducing chances of defective finished goods escaped to the customers. Reducing proportion of defective finished goods also decreases scrap cost because finished goods incur higher scrap cost than work in-process. Moreover, defective products that are found during process can reflect the abnormal processes; therefore, engineers and operators should timely solve the problems. Improved quality control was implemented for 7-Flex production lines from July 2017 to September 2017. The result shows decreasing of the average proportion of defective finished goods and the average of Customer Manufacturers Lot Reject Rate (%LRR of CMs) equal to 4.5% and 4.1% respectively. Furthermore, cost saving of this quality control process equals to 100K Baht.

Race, socioeconomic status, health-related quality of life, and self-care of type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults in North Carolina.

PubMed

Piper, Crystal N; Chalakalal, Shilpa; Sebastian, Neethu; Warren-Findlow, Jan; Thompson, Michael E

2015-04-01

The objective of this study was to examine the associations among race, education, income, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in self-care of type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults in North Carolina. A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), a large population-based survey (N = 432,607) conducted in the United States. The data were analyzed to account for the weighted complex multistage sampling design of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. Parametric testing using univariate/bivariate/multivariate analysis was performed. The majority of participants reported taking a class/course on diabetes mellitus management and having checked their blood glucose levels at least once per day. The majority (61.26%) of the participants did not have good self-management skills, based on the education and blood glucose-monitoring criteria established for this study. Participants with poor HRQoL had significantly increased odds of good diabetes mellitus self-care practices. Individuals with poor HRQoL had significantly increased odds of good diabetes mellitus self-care practices. Although findings on race, education, and income were not statistically significant, they were consistent with previous research. In the future, individuals who are nonwhite, have less than a high school level of education, and have no health insurance should be targeted to improve diabetes mellitus self-care practices through educational and informational materials. Further investigation using more comprehensive measures of diabetes mellitus self-care is warranted.

New PLAD apparatus and fabrication of epitaxial films and junctions of functional materials: SiC, GaN, ZnO, diamond and GMR layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muto, Hachizo; Kusumori, Takeshi; Nakamura, Toshiyuki; Asano, Takashi; Hori, Takahiro

2006-04-01

We have developed a new pulsed laser ablation-deposition (PLAD) apparatus and techniques for fabricating films of high-temperature or functional materials, including two short-wavelength lasers: (a) a YAG 5th harmonic (213 nm) and (b) Raman-shifted lasers containing vacuum ultraviolet light; also involved are (c) a high-temperature heater with a maximum temperature of 1350 °C, (d) dual-target simultaneous ablation mechanics, and (e) hybrid PLAD using a pico-second YAG laser combined with (c) and/or (d). Using the high-T heater, hetero-epitaxial films of 3C-, 2H- and 4H-SiC have been prepared on sapphire-c. In situ p-doping for GaN epitaxial films is achieved by simultaneous ablation of GaN and Mg targets by (d) during film growth. Junctions such as pGaN (Mg-doped)-film/n-SiC(0 0 0 1) substrate and pGaN/n-Si(1 1 1) show good diode characteristics. Epitaxial films with a diamond lattice can be grown on the sapphire-c plane by hybrid PLAD (e) with a high-T heater using a 6H-SiC target. High quality epitaxial films of ZnO are grown by PLAD by introducing a low-temperature self-buffer layer; magnetization of ferromagnetic materials is enforced by overlaying on a ferromagnetic lattice plane of an anti-ferromagnetic material, showing the value of the layer-overlaying method in improving quality. The short-wavelength lasers are useful in reducing surface particles on functional films, including superconductors.

40 CFR 1066.110 - Equipment specifications for emission sampling systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., such as orifice plates or fins, to achieve good mixing; this may be necessary for good mixing if Re# is... condensation. (v) If you choose to dilute the exhaust by using a remote mix tee, which dilutes the exhaust at... polymer-based materials. (D) Use good engineering judgment to ensure that the materials you choose do not...

E's Are Good: Standards of Quality in Public Administration as Reflected in Discourse on Canadian Public Policy Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Dana Lee; Miller, Audrey Anna; Bratton, Todd

2015-01-01

Promoting understanding of quality in the context of good governance can be a challenging classroom exercise not only because of the potential for hijacking politicization of the discussion, but also because of the variety of ways in which public sector goals can be defined, even in the context of a single policy. Standards of quality in the…

Innovative fabrication processing of advanced composite materials concepts for primary aircraft structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kassapoglou, Christos; Dinicola, Al J.; Chou, Jack C.

1992-01-01

The autoclave based THERM-X(sub R) process was evaluated by cocuring complex curved panels with frames and stiffeners. The process was shown to result in composite parts of high quality with good compaction at sharp radius regions and corners of intersecting parts. The structural properties of the postbuckled panels fabricated were found to be equivalent to those of conventionally tooled hand laid-up parts. Significant savings in bagging time over conventional tooling were documented. Structural details such as cocured shear ties and embedded stiffener flanges in the skin were found to suppress failure modes such as failure at corners of intersecting members and skin stiffeners separation.

Characteristics of epitaxial garnets grown by CVD using single metal alloy sources. [Chemical Vapor Deposition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Besser, P. J.; Hamilton, T. N.; Mee, J. E.; Stermer, R. L.

1974-01-01

Single metal alloys have been explored as the cation source in the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of iron garnets. Growth of good quality single crystal garnet films containing as many as five different cations has been achieved over a wide range of deposition conditions. The relationship of film composition to alloy compositions and deposition conditions has been determined for several materials. By proper choice of the alloy composition and the deposition conditions, uncrazed deposits were grown on (111) gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) substrates. Data on physical, magnetic and optical properties of representative films is presented and discussed.

Indoor air pollution and preventions in college libraries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Zengzhang

2017-05-01

The college library is a place where it gets the comparatively high density of students often staying long time with it. Therefore, the indoor air quality will affect directly reading effect and physical health of teachers and students in colleges and universities. The paper analyzes the influenced factors in indoor air pollution of the library from the selection of green-environmental decorating materials and furniture, good ventilation maintaining, electromagnetic radiation reducing, regular disinfection, indoor green building and awareness of health and environmental protection strengthening etc. six aspects to put forward the ideas for preventions of indoor air pollution and construction of the green low-carbon library.

Mid-infrared metasurface made of composite right/left-handed transmission-line

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

Luo, Yi; Ying, Xiangxiao; Pu, Yang

2016-06-06

We report on the realization of a mid-infrared metasurface based on the concept of composite right/left-handed transmission-line. The metasurface consists of a three-layer metal-insulator-metal structure patterned into transmission-lines by electron-beam lithography. Angle-variable reflection spectroscopy measurements reveal resonant absorption features corresponding to both right- and left-handed propagations in the leaky-wave guided mode region. Material loss is shown to dominate the quality factor of the left-handed modes, while the radiative loss dominates the right-handed ones. The experimental results are in good agreement with full-wave numerical simulations and are explained with an equivalent circuit model.

Growth of new borate crystals with fiber shape by the micro-pulling down technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Assi, Farah; Ferriol, Michel; Aillerie, Michel; Cochez, Marianne

2017-07-01

Borate-based materials are of high interest to generate an UV laser light from a crystal. Fiber-shaped crystals combining the advantages of fiber lasers and crystalline lasers, we have investigated the growing conditions required to obtain usable fibers of Bi2ZnB2O7 (BZBO) and LaBGeO5 (LBGO). For BZBO, the major drawback was the pronounced color of the fibers and for LBGO, it was the high viscosity of its melt leading to use a flux. This paper presents our state of the art to obtain good quality BZBO and LBGO crystal fibers.

Castanea sativa by-products: a review on added value and sustainable application.

PubMed

Braga, Nair; Rodrigues, Francisca; Oliveira, M Beatriz P P

2015-01-01

Castanea sativa Mill. is a species of the family Fagaceae abundant in south Europe and Asia. The fruits (chestnut) are an added value resource in producing countries. Chestnut economic value is increasing not only for nutritional qualities but also for the beneficial health effects related with its consumption. During chestnut processing, a large amount of waste material is generated namely inner shell, outer shell and leaves. Studies on chestnut by-products revealed a good profile of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and cardioprotective properties. These agro-industrial wastes, after valorisation, can be used by other industries, such as pharmaceutical, food or cosmetics, generating more profits, reducing pollution costs and improving social, economic and environmental sustainability. The purpose of this review is to provide knowledge about the type of chestnut by-products produced, the studies concerning its chemical composition and biological activity, and also to discuss other possible applications of these materials.

INAA Application for Trace Element Determination in Biological Reference Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atmodjo, D. P. D.; Kurniawati, S.; Lestiani, D. D.; Adventini, N.

2017-06-01

Trace element determination in biological samples is often used in the study of health and toxicology. Determination change to its essentiality and toxicity of trace element require an accurate determination method, which implies that a good Quality Control (QC) procedure should be performed. In this study, QC for trace element determination in biological samples was applied by analyzing the Standard Reference Material (SRM) Bovine muscle 8414 NIST using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Three selected trace element such as Fe, Zn, and Se were determined. Accuracy of the elements showed as %recovery and precision as %coefficient of variance (%CV). The result showed that %recovery of Fe, Zn, and Se were in the range between 99.4-107%, 92.7-103%, and 91.9-112%, respectively, whereas %CV were 2.92, 3.70, and 5.37%, respectively. These results showed that INAA method is precise and accurate for trace element determination in biological matrices.

Research on laser direct metal deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yongzhong; Shi, Likai

2003-03-01

Laser direct deposition of metallic parts is a new manufacturing technology, which combines with computer-aided design, laser cladding and rapid prototyping. Fully dense metallic parts can be directly obtained through melting the coaxially fed powders with a high-power laser in a layer-by-layer manner. The process characteristics, system composition as well as some research and advancement on laser direct deposition are presented here. The microstructure and properties observation of laser direct formed 663 copper alloy, 316L stainless steel and Rene'95 nickel super alloy samples indicate that, the as-deposited microstructure is similar to rapidly solidified materials, with homogenous composition and free of defects. Under certain conditions, directionally solidified microstructure can be obtained. The as-formed mechanical properties are equal to or exceed those for casting and wrought annealed materials. At the same time, some sample parts with complicate shape are presented for technology demonstration. The formed parts show good surface quality and dimensional accuracy.

Antimicrobial activity of biopolymer-antibiotic thin films fabricated by advanced pulsed laser methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cristescu, R.; Popescu, C.; Dorcioman, G.; Miroiu, F. M.; Socol, G.; Mihailescu, I. N.; Gittard, S. D.; Miller, P. R.; Narayan, R. J.; Enculescu, M.; Chrisey, D. B.

2013-08-01

We report on thin film deposition by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) of two polymer-drug composite thin film systems. A pulsed KrF* excimer laser source (λ = 248 nm, τ = 25 ns, ν = 10 Hz) was used to deposit composite thin films of poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) containing several gentamicin concentrations. FTIR spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that MAPLE-transferred materials exhibited chemical structures similar to those of drop cast materials. Scanning electron microscopy data indicated that MAPLE may be used to fabricate thin films of good morphological quality. The activity of PDLLA-gentamicin composite thin films against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was demonstrated using drop testing. The influence of drug concentration on microbial viability was also assessed. Our studies indicate that polymer-drug composite thin films prepared by MAPLE may be used to impart antimicrobial activity to implants, medical devices, and other contact surfaces.

Structural and optical characterization of pyrolytic carbon derived from novolac resin.

PubMed

Theodoropoulou, S; Papadimitriou, D; Zoumpoulakis, L; Simitzis, J

2004-07-01

The structural and optical properties of technologically interesting pyrolytic carbons formed from cured novolac resin and cured novolac/biomass composites were studied by X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Raman and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Pyrolysis of the cured materials took place at temperatures in the range 400-1000 degrees C. The most important weight loss, shrinkage and structural changes of pyrolyzed composites are observed at temperatures up to 600 degrees C due to the olive stone component. In the same temperature range, the changes in pyrolyzed novolac are smaller. The spectroscopic analysis shows that novolac pyrolyzed up to 900 ( degrees )C has less defects and disorder than the composites. However, above 900 ( degrees )C, pyrolyzed novolac becomes more disordered compared to the pyrolyzed composites. It is concluded that partial replacement of novolac by olive stone in the composite materials leads to the formation of a low cost, good quality product.

Number of flocks on the same litter and carcase condemnations due to cellulitis, arthritis and contact foot-pad dermatitis in broilers.

PubMed

Xavier, D B; Broom, D M; McManus, C M P; Torres, C; Bernal, F E M

2010-10-01

1. This study was conducted to verify the impact of different kinds of material and the number of times of litter reuse on the incidence of chicken pathologies. Approximately 4·5 million broilers from conventional Brazilian farms were evaluated in the abattoir for cellulitis, arthritis and contact foot-pad dermatitis. 2. Four different kinds of litter material, Brachiaria grass, corncob, sawdust and rice shell, were used. Brachiaria grass litter showed the highest incidence of contact foot-pad dermatitis. Corncob litter also showed some negative effects on foot quality. Broilers raised on rice shell litter showed good results in terms of the incidence of contact foot-pad dermatitis. The best results were obtained with sawdust litter, because the incidence of cellulitis and arthritis were the lowest and the incidence of contact foot-pad dermatitis was also very low.

[Biogas production from cellulose-containing substrates: a review].

PubMed

Tsavkelova, E A; Netrusov, A I

2012-01-01

Anaerobic microbial conversion of organic substrates to various biofuels is one of the alternative energy sources attracting the greatest attention of scientists. The advantages of biogas production over other technologies are the ability of methanogenic communities to degrade a broad range of substrates and concomitant benefits: neutralization of organic waste, reduction of greenhouse gas emission, and fertilizer production. Cellulose-containing materials are a good substrate, but their full-scale utilization encounters a number of problems, including improvement of the quality and amount ofbiogas produced and maintenance of the stability and high efficiency of microbial communities. We review data on microorganisms that form methanogenic cellulolytic communities, enzyme complexes of anaerobes essential for cellulose fiber degradation, and feedstock pretreatment, as biodegradation is hindered in the presence of lignin. Methods for improving biogas production by optimization of microbial growth conditions are considered on the examples of biogas formation from various types of plant and paper materials: writing paper and cardboard.

[All-ceramic peripheral restorations: crowns and bridges].

PubMed

Legros, Caroline; Vanheusden, Alain

2006-01-01

Over the last years, current technologies in dental ceramics are strongly improved, constantly producing new materials for the restoration of the single or plural teeth. Feldspathic porcelains fused to a cast metal substructure, the so-called "metal-ceramic crown," has been long time the gold standard; this is primarily due to their predictable long-term strength characteristics. All-ceramic systems are a focus of interest, because they offer aesthetic results that may be difficult to achieve with metal-ceramic systems. Nowadays, the new ceramics associate aesthetic and good mechanical qualities, biocompatibility, accurate marginal fit and low invasive preparations. Thanks to the diversification of all-ceram processes, materials properties and clinical situations are now the prime criteria which determine the practitioner's choice. In this article, we try to summarize different clinical concepts for peripheric all-ceram restoration, such as crowns and bridges used in a daily dental practice.

Machinability of Minor Wooden Species before and after Modification with Thermo-Vacuum Technology

PubMed Central

Sandak, Jakub; Goli, Giacomo; Cetera, Paola; Sandak, Anna; Cavalli, Alberto; Todaro, Luigi

2017-01-01

The influence of the thermal modification process on wood machinability was investigated with four minor species of low economic importance. A set of representative experimental samples was machined to the form of disks with sharp and dull tools. The resulting surface quality was visually evaluated by a team of experts according to the American standard procedure ASTM D-1666-87. The objective quantification of the surface quality was also done by means of a three dimensions (3D) surface scanner for the whole range of grain orientations. Visual assessment and 3D surface analysis showed a good agreement in terms of conclusions. The best quality of the wood surface was obtained when machining thermally modified samples. The positive effect of the material modification was apparent when cutting deodar cedar, black pine and black poplar in unfavorable conditions (i.e., against the grain). The difference was much smaller for an easy-machinability specie such as Italian alder. The use of dull tools resulted in the worst surface quality. Thermal modification has shown a very positive effect when machining with dull tools, leading to a relevant increment of the final surface smoothness. PMID:28772480

Polymerase Chain Reaction/Rapid Methods Are Gaining a Foothold in Developing Countries.

PubMed

Ragheb, Suzan Mohammed; Jimenez, Luis

Detection of microbial contamination in pharmaceutical raw materials and finished products is a critical factor to guarantee their safety, stability, and potency. Rapid microbiological methods-such as polymerase chain reaction-have been widely applied to clinical and food quality control analysis. However, polymerase chain reaction applications to pharmaceutical quality control have been rather slow and sporadic. Successful implementation of these methods in pharmaceutical companies in developing countries requires important considerations to provide sensitive and robust assays that will comply with good manufacturing practices. In recent years several publications have encouraged the application of molecular techniques in the microbiological assessment of pharmaceuticals. One of these techniques is polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The successful application of PCR in the pharmaceutical industry in developing countries is governed by considerable factors and requirements. These factors include the setting up of a PCR laboratory and the choice of appropriate equipment and reagents. In addition, the presence of well-trained analysts and establishment of quality control and quality assurance programs are important requirements. The pharmaceutical firms should take into account these factors to allow better chances for regulatory acceptance and wide application of this technique. © PDA, Inc. 2014.

Water quality and microbial diversity in cisterns from semiarid areas in Brazil.

PubMed

Alves, Fellipe; Köchling, Thorsten; Luz, Julio; Santos, Sylvana Melo; Gavazza, Savia

2014-09-01

Harvesting rainwater is a common practice worldwide, particularly in areas with no access to a public water supply or insufficient groundwater reserves. More than two million people living in semiarid regions of Brazil consume rainwater stored in cisterns, and little information is available regarding the water quality. Despite the initial good quality of the rainwater, its harvest and storage can introduce contaminants that must be eliminated before consumption. To evaluate the influence of handling, cistern age and precipitation on the quality of harvested rainwater, we monitored seven cisterns in the semiarid Brazilian Northeast over 4 years. Microbial and physicochemical parameters were monitored once a month, and denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was performed at the end of the monitoring period. Coliform bacteria were detected in 100% of samples, while Escherichia coli were observed in 73.8%. The alkalinity and conductivity were the highest for the recently built cisterns due to the dissolution of construction materials. The DGGE of the 16S r DNA did not reveal the presence of E. coli. Instead, DGGE bands sequencing indicated that species primarily affiliated with Alphaproteobacteria were present in all cisterns, indicating the presence of microbial ecosystems capable of purifying and stabilizing the stored rainwater.

Machinability of Minor Wooden Species before and after Modification with Thermo-Vacuum Technology.

PubMed

Sandak, Jakub; Goli, Giacomo; Cetera, Paola; Sandak, Anna; Cavalli, Alberto; Todaro, Luigi

2017-01-28

The influence of the thermal modification process on wood machinability was investigated with four minor species of low economic importance. A set of representative experimental samples was machined to the form of disks with sharp and dull tools. The resulting surface quality was visually evaluated by a team of experts according to the American standard procedure ASTM D-1666-87. The objective quantification of the surface quality was also done by means of a three dimensions (3D) surface scanner for the whole range of grain orientations. Visual assessment and 3D surface analysis showed a good agreement in terms of conclusions. The best quality of the wood surface was obtained when machining thermally modified samples. The positive effect of the material modification was apparent when cutting deodar cedar, black pine and black poplar in unfavorable conditions (i.e., against the grain). The difference was much smaller for an easy-machinability specie such as Italian alder. The use of dull tools resulted in the worst surface quality. Thermal modification has shown a very positive effect when machining with dull tools, leading to a relevant increment of the final surface smoothness.

The study about the improvement of the quality for the fabrics made of chenille yarn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hristian, L.; Ostafe, M. M.; Manea, L. R.; Leon, A. L.

2016-08-01

The work is a study about the decrease of the serious defects from the fabrics such as: the deviations from quality or the high costs, discovered and seized by customers. The analyzed fabrics have in their structures three types of different chenille yarns, such as: the Article A1 (viscose fiber with cotton, Nm 3500 dyed coil), the Article A2 (textured polyester, Nm 8000 dyed coil), the Article A3 (Trevira CS polyester, Nm 3000 the pre-dyed raw materials). The technology of chenille yarn, regardless of composition and properties is the same and is performed on the twisting machines. This study has found that the most of the flaws in the fabric, noticed by customers, are caused by the production technology of the chenille yarns. In any organization which makes goods, there are concerns about the improvement of the quality through the elimination of the nonquality. It is extremely difficult to get to “zero defects” but the first step is a systematic action plan to reduce drastically the nonconformities and the defects. The continuous improvement of the effectiveness of the integrated quality and environmental management is achieved by applying the PDCA methodology: planning, development, control, action.

MOCVD Growth and Characterization of n-type Zinc Oxide Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ben-Yaacov, Tammy

In the past decade, there has been widespread effort in the development of zinc oxide as a II-V1 semiconductor material. ZnO has potential advantages in optoelectronip device applications due to its unique electrical and optical properties. What stands out among these properties is its wide direct bandgap of 3.37 eV and its high electrical conductivity and transparency in the visible and near-UV regions of the spectrum. ZnO can be grown heteroepitaxially on GaN under near lattice-matched conditions and homoepitaxially as well, as high-quality bulk ZnO substrates are commercially available. This dissertation focuses on the development of the growth of high-quality, single crystal n-type ZnO films, control of n-type conductivity, as well as its application as a transparent contact material in GaN-based devices. The first part of this dissertation is an extensive heteroepitaxial and homoepitaxial growth study presenting the properties of ZnO(0001) layers grown on GaN(0001) templates and ZnO(0001) substrates. We show that deposition on GaN requires a two-step growth technique involving the growth of a low temperature nucleation layer before growing a high temperature epitaxial layer in order to obtain smooth ZnO films with excellent crystal quality and step-flow surface morphology. We obtained homoepitaxial ZnO(0001) films of structural quality and surface morphology that is comparable to the as-received substrates, and showed that a high growth temperature (≥1000°C) is needed in order to achieve step-flow growth mode. We performed n-type doping experiments, and established the conditions for which Indium effectively controls the n-type conductivity of ZnO films grown on GaN(0001) templates. A peak carrier concentration of 3.22x 10 19cm-3 and minimum sheet resistance of 97 O/square was achieved, while simultaneously maintaining good morphology and crystal quality. Finally, we present In-doped ZnO films implemented as p-contacts for GaN-based solar cells and LEDs, and we investigate the n-ZnO/p-GaN interface. We show that ZnO has potential as an effective p-contact for these devices, and determine properties that still need improvement in order for ZnO to compete with other contact materials. We also compare the device performance to metal-contacted devices. In summary, this thesis describes the growth of ZnO(0001) films by MOCVD, the progress in developing ZnO material with excellent surface morphology, high crystal quality, and controllable n-type doping, as well as its application to GaN-based optoelectronic devices as a p-contact material.

41 CFR 101-25.103 - Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 2 2011-07-01 2007-07-01 true Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 101-25.103 Section 101-25.103 Public Contracts and Property Management... PROCUREMENT 25-GENERAL 25.1-General Policies § 101-25.103 Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus...

41 CFR 101-25.103 - Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 2 2014-07-01 2012-07-01 true Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 101-25.103 Section 101-25.103 Public Contracts and Property Management... PROCUREMENT 25-GENERAL 25.1-General Policies § 101-25.103 Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus...

41 CFR 101-25.103 - Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 2 2013-07-01 2012-07-01 true Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 101-25.103 Section 101-25.103 Public Contracts and Property Management... PROCUREMENT 25-GENERAL 25.1-General Policies § 101-25.103 Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus...

41 CFR 101-25.103 - Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 101-25.103 Section 101-25.103 Public Contracts and Property Management... PROCUREMENT 25-GENERAL 25.1-General Policies § 101-25.103 Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus...

41 CFR 101-25.103 - Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus goods. 101-25.103 Section 101-25.103 Public Contracts and Property Management... PROCUREMENT 25-GENERAL 25.1-General Policies § 101-25.103 Promotional materials, trading stamps, or bonus...

Establishment of a Quality Management System Based on ISO 9001 Standard in a Public Service Fungal Culture Collection.

PubMed

Simões, Marta F; Dias, Nicolina; Santos, Cledir; Lima, Nelson

2016-06-22

Collaborations between different Microbiological Resource Centres (mBRCs) and ethical sourcing practices are mandatory to guarantee biodiversity conservation, successful and sustainable preservation and fair share of benefits that arise from the use of genetic resources. Since microbial Culture Collections (CCs) are now engaged in meeting high quality operational standards, they are facing the challenge of establishing quality control criteria to certify their biological materials. The authentication/certification of strains is nowadays a demand from the bioeconomy sector for the global operation of mBRCs. The achievement of consistent quality assurance and trust within the mBRCs and microbial CCs context is a dynamic and never-ending process. A good option to facilitate that process is to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) based on the ISO 9001 standard. Here, we report a detailed description of all the steps taken for the QMS implementation at the Portuguese CC of filamentous fungi: Micoteca da Universidade do Minho (MUM). Our aim is to provide guidelines for the certification of other CCs, so that they can also enhance the search and choice of the most consistent, reliable, and effective operating methods, with assured procedures and validation of preservation; and guarantee trustworthy relations with all stakeholders.

Computational assessment of press-fit acetabular implant fixation: the effect of implant design, interference fit, bone quality, and frictional properties.

PubMed

Janssen, D; Zwartelé, R E; Doets, H C; Verdonschot, N

2010-01-01

Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis typically have a poor subchondral bone quality, endangering implant fixation. Using finite element analysis (FEA) an investigation was made to find whether a press-fit acetabular implant with a polar clearance would reduce interfacial micromotions and improve fixation compared with a standard hemispherical design. In addition, the effects of interference fit, friction, and implant material were analysed. Cups were introduced into an FEA model of a human pelvis with simulated subchondral bone plasticity. The models were loaded with a loading configuration simulating two cycles of normal walking, during which contact stresses and interfacial micromotions were monitored. Subsequently, a lever-out simulation was performed to assess the fixation strength of the various cases. A flattened cup with good bone quality produced the lowest interfacial micromotions. Poor bone decreased the fixation strength regardless of the geometry of the cup. Increasing the interference fit of the flattened cup compensated for the loss of fixation strength caused by poor bone quality. In conclusion, a flattened cup did not significantly improve implant fixation over a hemispherical cup in the case of poor bone quality. However, implant fixation can be optimized by increasing interference fit and avoiding inferior frictional properties and low-stiffness implants.

Establishment of a Quality Management System Based on ISO 9001 Standard in a Public Service Fungal Culture Collection

PubMed Central

Simões, Marta F.; Dias, Nicolina; Santos, Cledir; Lima, Nelson

2016-01-01

Collaborations between different Microbiological Resource Centres (mBRCs) and ethical sourcing practices are mandatory to guarantee biodiversity conservation, successful and sustainable preservation and fair share of benefits that arise from the use of genetic resources. Since microbial Culture Collections (CCs) are now engaged in meeting high quality operational standards, they are facing the challenge of establishing quality control criteria to certify their biological materials. The authentication/certification of strains is nowadays a demand from the bioeconomy sector for the global operation of mBRCs. The achievement of consistent quality assurance and trust within the mBRCs and microbial CCs context is a dynamic and never-ending process. A good option to facilitate that process is to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) based on the ISO 9001 standard. Here, we report a detailed description of all the steps taken for the QMS implementation at the Portuguese CC of filamentous fungi: Micoteca da Universidade do Minho (MUM). Our aim is to provide guidelines for the certification of other CCs, so that they can also enhance the search and choice of the most consistent, reliable, and effective operating methods, with assured procedures and validation of preservation; and guarantee trustworthy relations with all stakeholders. PMID:27681915