229 research outputs found
EFFECT OF SEAM ON DRAPE OF SELECTED LIGHTWEIGHT WOVEN FABRICS
No full textD r a p e is a u n i q u e p r o p e r t y t l i a t a l l o w s a f a b r i c t o b e b e n t i n m o r e t h a n o n e d i r e c t i o n w i t h
d o u b l e c u r v a t u r e . F o r m a n y y e a r s , t e x t i l e r e s e a r c h e r s s t u d i e d t h i s a t t r i b u t e i n o r d e r to
e v a l u a t e t h e d r a p e q u a l i t y a n d i m p r o v e t h e d r a p e a p p e a r a n c e o f g a r m e n t s . H o w e v e r , f a b r ic
d r a p e can be m o r e r e a l i s t i c a l l y i n v e s t i g a t e d b y c o n s i d e r i n g s e a m s . W h e n v a r i o u s c u t p a n e ls
are s t i t c h e d t o g e t h e r , t h i s w i l l l e a d t o s i g n i f i c a n t v a r i a t i o n s i n f a b r i c d r a p e p e r f o r m a n c e.
T h u s i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f t h e i m p a c t o f a s e a m o n f a b r i c d r a p e p e r f o r m a n c e can h e l p to
u n d e r s t a n d , e v a l u a t e , a n d a s s u r e t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e final g a r m e n
A high-resolution HPLC-QqTOF platform using parallel reaction monitoring for in-depth lipid discovery and rapid profiling
No full textHere, we developed a robust lipidomics workflow merging both targeted and untargeted approaches on a single liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-time of flight (LC-QqTOF) mass spectrometry platform with parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). PRM assays integrate both untargeted profiling from MS1 scans and targeted profiling obtained from MS/MS data. This workflow enabled the discovery of more than 2300 unidentified features and identification of more than 600 lipid species from 23 lipid classes at the level of fatty acid/long chain base/sterol composition in a barley root extracts. We detected the presence of 142 glycosyl inositol phosphorylceramides (GIPC) with HN(Ac)-HA as the core structure of the polar head, 12 cardiolipins and 17 glucuronosyl diacylglycerols (GlcADG) which have been rarely reported previously for cereal crops. Using a scheduled algorithm with up to 100 precursors multiplexed per duty cycle, the PRM assay was able to achieve a rapid profiling of 291 species based on MS/MS data by a single injection. We used this novel approach to demonstrate the applicability and efficiency of the workflow to study salt stress induced changes in the barley root lipidome. Results show that 221 targeted lipids and 888 unknown features were found to have changed significantly in response to salt stress. This combined targeted and untargeted single workflow approach provides novel applications of lipidomics addressing biological questions
Discovery of novel neutral glycosphingolipids in cereal crops: rapid profiling using reversed-phased HPLC–ESI–QqTOF with parallel reaction monitoring
No full textAbstract This study explores the sphingolipid class of oligohexosylceramides (OHCs), a rarely studied group, in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) through a new lipidomics approach. Profiling identified 45 OHCs in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), elucidating their fatty acid (FA), long-chain base (LCB) and sugar residue compositions; and was accomplished by monophasic extraction followed by reverse-phased high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–QqTOF–MS/MS) employing parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). Results revealed unknown ceramide species and highlighted distinctive FA and LCB compositions when compared to other sphingolipid classes. Structurally, the OHCs featured predominantly trihydroxy LCBs associated with hydroxylated FAs and oligohexosyl residues consisting of two–five glucose units in a linear 1 → 4 linkage. A survey found OHCs in tissues of major cereal crops while noting their absence in conventional dicot model plants. This study found salinity stress had only minor effects on the OHC profile in barley roots, leaving questions about their precise functions in plant biology unanswered
A Decision Support System for demand planning: A case study from manufacturing industry
No full textDemand planning is responsible for estimating the demand for products, raw materials, production capacities, and distribution related capacities in a manufacturing organization. The modern supply chains are faced with severe competition and uncertainty. The benefits of having an accurate forecast have never been so important. Many studies have looked at this growing need from practical standpoint. This study envisions to embed the theoretical aspects and the practitioners’ views into one solution using R open source technologies to design and develop a Decision Support System for demand planning. The proposed system utilizes open source development tools such as R for analytics and Java environment and it gives an edge over the existing proprietary software solutions for the forecasting and demand planning. The accuracy and the validity are attained by the advanced mathematical modules in R environment for forecasting to offer advanced analytical software at an affordable cost for small or medium ranged enterprises. Furthermore, demand planning plays a strategic role as the planning of wide variety of other activities depends on the accuracy and the validity of this prime activity. Therefore, the techniques used in this study can be extended to other organizations as a generalized approach and to estimate demand forecast within a reasonable for forecast accuracy
We need guidelines to do better- An audit on intravenous fluid usage in a single paediatric unit.
No full textObjective: To observe the current practice of Intravenous Fluid ( IVF) in a paediatric unit in relation to indications, type, rate and practice of the monitoring process to identify complications.Method: Bed Head Tickets (BHT) of all children who received IVF were analyzed retrospectively using a Performa, during a period of 3 months.Results: During 3 months 163 children out of 986 patients received IVF. Among them there were 83 males. 95 (58%) were in the under 5 years age group. Commonest indication for IVF was poor oral intake while the next was significant vomiting. In 48 children no indication for IVF was mentioned. Proper clinical assessment records indicating the degree of dehydration was found only in 10 BHTs analyzed. Thirteen (08%) received 10ml/kg normal saline fluid boluses. Commonest fluid used as maintenance was N/2+5%dextrose. A hundred and three (63%) received IVF for more than 24 hours. But input, output charts were maintained only by 68%. Electrolytes and blood sugars were monitored in 90( 63% ). Interestingly, only complication recorded was fluid extravasation in seven BHTs.Conclusion: In this unit IV fluid administration was done not according to any standard practice. New guidelines should be prepared to guide usage of IV fluids in paediatric patients
Psychosocial Support as a Priority in Ebola Response: Structured Interventions in Accordance with Iasc-Mhpss Guidelines
No full textA fast and accurate method of detecting Aleutian mink disease virus in blood and tissues of chronically infected mink
No full textThe objective of this study was to assess sensitivity of the Omni Klentaq-LA DNA polymerase for detecting Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) in mink blood and tissues by PCR without DNA extraction. The presence of AMDV DNA was directly tested by Klentaq in plasma, serum, whole blood and spleen homogenates of 188 mink 4 and 16 months after inoculation with the virus. Samples from bone marrow, small intestine, liver, lungs, kidneys and lymph nodes of 20 of the same mink were also tested by Klentaq. DNA was extracted from paired samples of plasma and the aforesaid tissues by a commercial nucleic acid extraction kit (Dynabeads Silane) and tested by PCR. Compared with the extracted DNA, Klentaq detected a significantly greater number of samples in the whole blood, serum, plasma, spleen and small intestine. It was concluded that Klentaq is a preferred system for directly detecting AMDV DNA in mink blood and tissues. The lower success rate of extracted DNA compared with Klentaq could be the result of DNA losses during the extraction process. This is an important factor in chronically infected mink which have a low AMDV copy number in the bloodstream. Direct AMDV detection also reduces the cost of PCR amplification and lowers the risk of sample contamination.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author
An investigation of strength and hydration characteristics of nano-silica incorporated concrete
No full text© 2015 Dr. Madhuwanthi RupasingheWith the emerging concepts of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, investigations on how and what nanomaterials can be used to improve different characteristics of conventional concrete has been of great research interest. Several studies have been performed on exploring the effects of replacing the cement content of concrete with carbon nanotubes, nano-silica, nano TiO2, nano Fe2O3, nano Al2O3 and nanoclay, at small replacement levels. This research is based on investigating the effects of replacing the cement content of concrete with nano-silica (for small replacement levels) on the hydration and strength characteristics of concrete. Several studies have been conducted previously on this type of concrete, but almost all of them are purely experimental based. A clear research gap exists on theoretical investigations on how nano-silica engages in the hydration process, and relating this chemical performance to the ultimate strength performance of concrete.
This thesis presents the results of experimental, theoretical and numerical investigations into the behaviour of nano-silica incorporated concrete. This research can be divided into five main parts: (a) Review on experimental, theoretical and numerical investigations of nano-silica/cement systems; (b) Experimental analysis of the chemical and microstructural characteristics of nano-modified cement paste; (c) Experimental investigations on the mechanical properties of nano-silica incorporated cement paste, mortar and concrete; (d) Development of a model to predict the hydration characteristics of nano-modified cement paste; and (e) Development of a multiscale model to predict the mechanical properties of nano-modified concrete.
In the experimental investigations, first, the chemical and microstructural characteristics of nano-silica incorporated cement paste were analysed and evaluated over time. Cement paste is considered to be the only chemically evolving phase in concrete. Thus, to investigate the chemical effect of nano silica on concrete, it is crucial to experimentally investigate the paste properties. Chemical investigations on the pozzolanic reactivity and early age hydration characteristics of nano-silica incorporated cement paste were analysed through several experimental techniques, such as calorimetric analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the backscattered electron (BSE) mode was used to obtain microscopic images of the paste samples. BSE imaging along with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) has been adopted for the quantification of different phases present in the nano-modified cement paste.
The second component of the experimental investigations was focused on evaluating the mechanical properties of nano-silica/cement systems against plain cement systems over time. To be in conjunction with the development of the proposed multiscale strength prediction model, the compressive strengths of nano-silica/cement systems were experimentally evaluated at three distinct scales; cement paste (micro-level), mortar (meso-level) and concrete (macro-level), for different nano-silica replacement levels. The effects of nano-silica inclusion on splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio of concrete were also investigated. The proposed multiscale numerical model for strength prediction of nano-silica incorporated concrete was validated based on the results obtained in this study.
As a main contribution of this research, a hydration quantification model was built for the prediction of the volume fractions of different phases present in a nano-silica incorporated cement paste. The pozzolanic reactivity of nano-silica was quantified based on experimental investigations. These results were integrated with currently available cement hydration models to develop an innovative hydration quantification model for nano-silica/cement systems. Image quantification analysis carried out on SEM (BSE) images of the pastes were used for validation purposes.
Finally, a multiscale-based modelling approach was used to predict the compressive strength characteristics. Representative volume elements (RVEs) of the cement /nano-silica systems at three different length scales were developed; for cement paste, mortar and concrete. The RVEs were analysed based on finite element method coupled with the concepts of continuum micromechanics. The model predictions proposed in the theoretical hydration quantification model was used as an input for the initial stage of this multiscale approach (i.e. to model the cement paste). The mechanical properties obtained at lower scales were thereafter upscaled through to higher dimensions based on the principles of continuum micromechanics. Experimental data were used to validate the model predictions
The Oxygen A Band
No full textThe oxygen A band is used for numerous atmospheric experiments, but spectral line parameters that sufficiently describe the spectrum to the level required by OCO2 and other high precision/accuracy experiments are lacking. Fourier transform spectra from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and cavity ring down spectra from the National Institute of Standards and Technology were fitted simultaneously using the William and Mary multispectrum nonlinear least squares fitting technique\footnote{D.~Chris Benner, C.~P.~Rinsland, V.~M.~Devi, M.~A.~H.~Smith, and D.~Atkins, JQSRT 1995;53:705-21.} into a single solution including the entire band. In addition, photoacoustic spectra already available from the California Institute of Technology will be added to the solution. The three types of spectrometers are complementary allowing the strengths of each to fill in the weaknesses of the others. With this technique line positions, intensities, widths, shifts, line mixing, Dicke narrowing, temperature dependences and collision induced absorption have been obtained in a single physically consistent fit.\footnote{Part of the research described in this paper was performed at The College of William and Mary, the, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contracts and cooperative agreements with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Support for the National Institute of Standards and Technology was provided by the NIST Greenhouse Gas Measurements and Climate Research Program and a NIST Innovations in Measurement Science (IMS) award.}Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-17T16:55:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3
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