Correct Equipment Research Articles

Investigation on the use of energy efficiency for condition-based maintenance decision-making

Abstract: Condition-based maintenance (CBM) has been introduced in industrial systems to maintain preventively the correct equipment at the right time with regards to its current health “condition” represented mainly the conventional indicators such as oil temperature, harmonics data, vibration, etc. The monitoring of these indicators is done through sensors or inspection tasks leading to incorporate in the maintenance optimization models, additional costs related to CBM. Nevertheless, while this practice is quite mastered in terms of benefits and costs, it is not well adapted to face now the new challenge encountered by the “industry of the future” such as the sustainable one. Indeed CBM indicators and maintenance cost model are not really taken into account today emergent indicators (and their impacts) related to energy consumption, energy efficiency or footprint tracking. In that way, this paper is investigating the interest to use energy efficiency (EE) for CBM decision-making. Investigation is consisting first to propose a new EE-based CBM model by using energy efficiency indicator (EEI) which is defined as the amount of energy consumption to produce one useful output unit. The proposed model leads to consider energy directly in the maintenance optimization. An extension of an existing CBM by integrating energy consumption in optimization model is also investigated in the way to compare the new CBM approach with conventional (extended) one. The comparison step is developed on the case study of the TELMA platform allowing to assess the impact of EE on existing CBM strategies and to conclude on the interest of a new EE-based CBM practice both in terms of cost and efficiency.

The Effective Enhancement of Power System Security by Flexible Transmission Line Impedance with Minimal Rescheduling of Generators

After the digital revolution, the power system security becomes an important issue and it urges the power producers to maintain a well secured system in order to supply a quality power to the end users. This paper presents an integrated Corrective Security Constrained Optimal Power Flow (CSCOPF) with Flexible Transmission Line Impedance (FTLI) to enhance the power system security. The corrective approach of SCOPF is chosen, because it allows the corrective equipment to bring back the system to a stable operating point and hence, it offers high flexibility and better economics. The concept of FTLI arises from the ability of FACTS devices such as Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC), which can vary the line reactance to a certain extent. An enhanced security can be achieved by incorporating FTLI into the CSCOPF problem, since the power flow in a system is highly dependent on the line reactance. FTLI based CSCOPF can reduce the amount of rescheduling of generators, but it will result in an increased number of variables and thus, the complexity to the optimization process is increased. This highly complex problem is solved by using nonlinear programming. The AC based OPF model is preferred, since the corrective security actions require highly accurate solutions. IEEE 30 bus system is used to test the proposed scheme and the results are compared with the traditional CSCOPF. It can be seen that the proposed idea provides a notable improvement in the reduction of cost incurred for restoring the system security.

Big Things Have Small Beginnings: Curating a Large Natural History Collection – Processes and Lessons Learned

INTRODUCTION Digitization of natural history collections is underway in earnest around the world and presented via platforms such as JSTOR Plants. Few natural history digital collections of specimens exist in academic institutional repositories, in spite of the fact that many universities have repositories and also hold extensive natural history collections. At Eastern Illinois University, a mid-sized public university, librarians worked with the Biological Sciences department to develop the means to digitize the 80,000 specimens of the Stover-Ebinger Herbarium collection. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT Setting up digitization of the herbarium collection required meeting with experts associated with important projects in the field, such as Symbiota, and with acquiring the correct digitization equipment. Data management techniques had to be developed to move metadata from an Access database to Symbiota and to the institutional repository platform. These were informative steps to be taken and will enable easier development of future natural history collections. NEXT STEPS Having procured the correct equipment and expert guidance, the library is ready for move forward with digitization of this large collection. The existing 16,000 records in the repository will have images added to them, databasing and imaging will proceed for the remaining 64,000 specimens, and we will be exploring the impact of these specimen records in the “Cited by” notation in Google Scholar, as well as adding specimen field notes to enhance the collection.

Rheology and Fluid Dynamic of Egg White: Effect of Thixotropy on Engineering Design

AbstractThe wide application of egg products by food industries reinforces the importance of dealing with egg white properties, such as thermophysical ones, for correct processing and equipment design. Therefore, rheological properties, density and pressure drops were studied from 0.5 to 53.4C, as well as their influence on the energy pump required in a hypothetical pipeline configuration. Egg white presented Power–Law behavior, with thixotropy. Consistency coefficient and apparent viscosity were estimated by an Arrhenius‐type equation for downward and upward curves. Densities were obtained as a linear function of temperature. Fanning friction factors could be calculated and correlated with generalized Reynolds number. The use of Rabinowitsch–Mooney equation resulted in good similarity with the rheological behavior obtained using the rheometer. Different cases of pipeline simulation showed a deviation of until 2.8% in the required energy pump.Practical ApplicationsEgg white is a very useful product of food industry, but its processing requires the knowledge of some thermophysical properties. Among them, there are rheological properties and flow behavior which could present thixotropy. Studying how transport properties are affected by shear rate is valid for the correct equipment design. In order to evaluate this behavior deviation on industrial plant designs, thixotropy and friction factors of egg white are discussed in this work through the aid of a hypothetical pipeline. Rheograms obtained from pressure drops (along a pipe) and shear stress (by rheometer) were compared to provide information about the similarity between different ways for data acquisition.

CORR Insights®: Can Radiographs Predict the Use of Modular Stems in Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip?

P redicting from plain radiographs when a patient’s complex proximal femoral anatomy might benefit from a femoral prosthesis that differs from those used in routine primary THA can be difficult. This occurs most commonly in patients with excessive anteversion and increased valgus neck-shaft angle. We have all been there, waiting in the operating room, unable to proceed to the next step in the operation, because the correct equipment is unavailable. Most, but certainly not all, of these delays are avoidable. Steve Jobs once stated, ‘‘My favorite things in life don’t cost money. It is really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time’’ [1]. Complex primary and revision hip arthroplasty often require extensive preoperative planning. This planning takes valuable time, and our time is short; however, time spent preparing for surgery can save much more time—and more valuable time—in the operating room later. Things would be better still if we could have a higher degree of confidence that the preoperative planning we perform will not allow for unpleasant surprises during surgery. The paper by Peters et al. is the first to describe threshold angles from preoperative radiographs—including coronal neck-shaft angle, sagittal neckshaft angle, and calculated femoral neck anteversion—that can help the surgeon determine preoperatively whether nonstandard femoral stems may be needed to successfully address complex proximal femoral geometry.

G584(P) Sbar handover tool: improving maternity – paediatric communication at deliveries

Context The project involves deliveries in our district general hospital delivery unit where a member of the paediatric team is requested to attend. The staff involved include midwives, neonatal nurses, paediatricians and obstetricians. Problem Following the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) of a neonatal death at our hospital, it was recommended that improvements be made to delivery room handover between midwives and attending paediatricians. Currently handovers follow no specific pattern allowing for important information to be missed. As a result, the appropriate grade of paediatrician and correct equipment may not be present and paediatric staff may be ill-equipped to cope with the impending delivery. Assessment of problem and analysis of its causes The RCA indicated that the condition of the baby at birth may have been predicted had the paediatrician been given a more detailed handover. A detailed handover may also have prompted them to call for senior support prior to delivery. Further discussion with paediatricians and midwives identified a lack of structure to these handovers, leaving babies at risk. Junior staff also felt that in stressful situations, prompts would ensure important information is remembered. Additionally, parents reported they would be reassured to observe a formal handover between teams. In other high-risk transfer areas, teams complete checklists to ensure they have the necessary information, staff and equipment to minimise risk. Currently, we have no such checklist for a paediatrician entering a delivery room. Handover relies on informal discussion, often whilst staff perform other tasks. It was therefore felt that a checklist would be a useful aide in prompting a concise, complete handover. Intervention A search was conducted to find checklists for handover between midwifery and paediatric teams in other units but none could be identified. A checklist has therefore been designed by paediatricians and approved for this study. It covers the information necessary to provide safe initial care to a baby. The checklist has been attached to every resuscitaire in the delivery unit so it is easily accessible. Study design The checklist was introduced to midwives and paediatricians through briefings at their daily handovers. The checklist was tested on a single day and tests of change made using a Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle. Following further feedback from all staff groups after 2 and 4 weeks, the checklist will be amended again. Strategy for change The change has been implemented following briefings for staff and a trial of the checklist’s use. It has been amended according to initial feedback and will be attached to all resuscitaires. Further feedback will be obtained at 2 and 4 weeks after formal introduction of the checklists and they will be updated accordingly. Once formalised, the checklists will be incorporated into midwifery teaching sessions and doctor’s departmental induction programmes. Measurement of improvement Analysis will be qualitative and will focus on staff satisfaction and suggested points for improvement. Parent satisfaction will be assessed via patient surveys. Quantitative assessment of delivery outcomes cannot be undertaken within this short timescale because the number of significant neonatal resuscitations is low. Effects of changes It is hoped that there will be improved communication in the delivery unit resulting in better anticipation and safer care, fewer crash calls for middle grade paediatricians, higher levels of staff confidence and improved parent confidence in the staff caring for their baby. Lessons learnt We hope to learn how to devise a safe means of communicating essential information between teams. Message for others Safe handover is a GMC requirement for good practice and we have identified a high-risk area where there are no clear guidelines for this process. Implementing our checklist has allowed the process to be formalised, making delivery room handover safer, quicker and less liable to error.

Adequacy of trained assistance, emergency equipment and drugs at emergency calls in the ICU and in remote areas of the hospital

We aimed to identify the adequacy of assistance provided and to assess correct anaesthetic equipment and drug availability at emergency calls made in the ICU and in remote areas of the hospital. Emergency calls often involve managing critically ill patients with the highest mortality results. The importance of a clinical team with the necessary competencies and the right level of resources are paramount.

You’re Going Where?

You’re Going Where?

Weekly and Consecutive Day Neonatal Intubation Training

To determine whether medical student intubation proficiency with a neonatal mannequin differs according to weekly or consecutive day practice sessions during a six-week pediatric clerkship. From July 2010 through June 2011, the authors prospectively randomized 110 third-year medical students into three neonatal intubation practice groups: standard (control; no practice sessions), weekly (practice once/week for four consecutive weeks), or consecutive day (practice once/day for four consecutive days). At baseline, students performed intubation during individual sessions using a neonatal mannequin (SimNewB). Two reviewers, blinded to practice group, viewed videotapes of intubations and independently scored students on equipment selection, procedural skill steps, length of intubation attempts (in seconds), and the number of attempts (up to three) needed for a successful intubation. Videotaped individual final assessment intubation sessions during week six were evaluated in the same manner. Students in the weekly and consecutive day practice groups performed better at the final assessment on all variables than students in the standard group (P < .001), but over six weeks, the authors detected no differences between the two distributed practice formats for any outcomes of interest. Practice improved all aspects of neonatal intubation performance, including choosing the correct equipment, properly performing the skill steps, length of time to successful intubation, and success rate, for novice health care providers in a simulation setting. Over six weeks, neither practice format proved superior, but it remains unclear whether one format is superior for learning and skill retention over the long term or in actual practice.

Board 181 - Program Innovations Abstract Using Standardized Patients to Teach Bone Marrow Aspirations and Biopsies (Submission #223)

Introduction/Background Perhaps the most important procedure that oncology/hematology fellows learn is the bone marrow biopsy and aspiration (BMBx). Typically, attending physicians or senior fellows teach this common procedure and supervise the fellows for their first couple of patients. However, there is substantial variability in the fellows’ skill levels due in part to the varying effectiveness of the teaching methodologies. Therefore, to ensure that all fellows receive adequate training, this variability was eliminated by creating a simulation course using standardized patients. Methods The learning objectives are to identify indications for a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy; implement a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy including identification of landmarks; to recognize the correct equipment, to perform the procedure with good technique and to make quality slides. However, before the simulations begin, there are a few steps required to ensure the fellows’ understanding of the procedure. First, they read an article1 on how to perform a bone marrow biopsy and watch a video2 demonstrating the procedure. Then once they arrive for the course, the instructor gives a presentation on how to perform this procedure, giving the fellows an opportunity to clarify any uncertainties. Next, the fellows are introduced to the bone marrow biopsy kit which contains the requisite tools and required paperwork. Fellows then learn the landmarks of this procedure on a skeletal pelvis model. Upon completion of these steps, the fellows are then ready to begin the simulations. Each fellow performs a mock procedure on a standardized patient, without using any needles. The fellows are expected to explain the procedure, obtain consent, position the patient, identify anatomical landmarks and go through the motions of the procedure step-by-step. The instructor and other fellows grade his/her performance using an evaluation form to categorize his/her skills as expert, acceptable, beginner or substandard. This evaluation form has 18 items in six sections: patient care; medical knowledge; communication/interpersonal skills; professionalism; practice-based learning; and systems-based practice. After the simulation, the instructor and the standardized patient give each fellow individualized feedback and the fellow has an opportunity to review his/her evaluation forms. The final component of this course is to practice making slides using artificial blood. Fellows (n = 9) were asked to complete course evaluations to measure how satisfied/dissatisfied they were with their training. Three items asked about the simulations and the fellows rated how much they agreed/disagreed with the items using seven-point Likert scales where one represented "strongly disagree" and seven represented "strongly agree." See Table 1. Results: Conclusion This course provides a standardized way to teach bone marrow biopsy and aspirations instead of relying on the clinical teachings of attending physicians and senior fellows, affording all fellows adequate and thorough training. This course was effective and well-received by the fellows, as it received stellar evaluations. This course also provides a standardized way of measuring the fellows’ skill level through the evaluation form. These forms can also be used by the attending physicians or senior fellows in the true clinical setting to gauge the fellows’ proficiency levels when performing "real" biopsies. Other simulation centers can implement similar programs for their oncology/hematology fellows. This course can also be expanded to other applicable target audiences such as interested physicians, nurse practitioners or physician assistants who want to transition into an oncology/hematology career.

Analysis of Lightning Phenomena for Underground Petroleum Pipeline System

This article presents the lightning phenomena analysis for underground petroleum pipeline system and protection guideline by considering an electrical continuity after a lightning strike to the earth. The result of transient state occur on the pipeline by using mathematical program (ATP-EMTP) to simulate standard waveform 10/350 micro second which will be linked to several dimensions. This study will transform physical characteristics into electrical characteristics such as pipe metal, pipe insulator, conductors in corrosion protection circuit and earth as parameters in the analysis. The result of this simulation found that the transient voltage will rise higher if length is longer and higher than safety allowance of pipe corrosion protection equipment. To limit this over voltage, this study used proper lightning protection equipment characteristics. From the result of simulation and the proper characteristics of lightning protection equipment, the transient voltage was limited follow BS 60950 standard. The result showed that the correct lightning protection equipment will help to reduce damage to asset of petroleum transportation industry from lightning strike.

Processing data on sea bottom structure obtained by means of the parametric sounding

ABSTRACT The aim of the paper is to analyze data obtained during sounding the Gdansk Bay sea bed by means of the parametric echo-sounder. The accuracy of the sea bottom structure investigation needs correct configuration of research equipment and proper calibration of peripheral devices (GPS, heading sensor, MRU-Z motion sensor and navigation instruments which provide necessary data to bathymetrical measurement system, enabling its work with full capability. The parametric sub-bottom profiler delivers two types of data which include different information: envelope and pure echo signal sampled without processing. The first is used to present echograms in real time and the second one is stored during sounding and the obtained data can be analyzed by using post-processing software. Differences in the results are presented and discussed. And, are described also criteria taken into account during determination of the measurement areas and selection of different configurations of the software according to the information to be obtained from trials. Complementary information can be achieved from processing the data by means of the procedures offered by Matlab software, which allows for a clear 3D presentation of the results. The consideration are illustrated by echograms taken in the natural conditions

P4‐205: A cross‐national study of augmentation of cholinesterase inhibitors with memantine in Alzheimer's disease

fields have been discovered. Methods: Subchronic effect of a weak combined magnetic field (MF), produced by superimposing a constant component (region mT) and an alternating MF of (0.1 mT) which was the sum of signals of frequencies region Hz, was studied in olfactory bulbectomized and transgenic B6aC3-Tg (APPswe, PSEN1DeltaE9) 85DBO/J mice, which were used as animal models of sporadic and heritable Alzheimer’s disease accordingly. Exposure to the MFs induced the decrease of Ab level in bulbectomized mice and reduced the number of Ab plaques in the cortex and hippocampus. Results: Positive results were obtained in volunteers with Alzheimer’s desease.We have developed several types of equipment for correction and treatment of their condition. Conclusions: We expect that numerous positive pieces of evidence both in animal experience and with humans will be of enormous importance for those suffering from different stages of Alzheimer’s desease all over the world.

P4‐204: The weak combined magnetic fields induce the reduction of brain Aβ levels in two animal models of Alzheimer's disease

During the twenty years' long large-scale research carried out in our laboratory, various effects of the weak low frequency magnetic fields have been discovered. Subchronic effect of a weak combined magnetic field (MF), produced by superimposing a constant component (region μT) and an alternating MF of (0.1 μT) which was the sum of signals of frequencies region Hz, was studied in olfactory bulbectomized and transgenic B6aC3-Tg (APPswe, PSEN1DeltaE9) 85DBO/J mice, which were used as animal models of sporadic and heritable Alzheimer's disease accordingly. Exposure to the MFs induced the decrease of Aβ level in bulbectomized mice and reduced the number of Aβ plaques in the cortex and hippocampus. Positive results were obtained in volunteers with Alzheimer's desease.We have developed several types of equipment for correction and treatment of their condition. We expect that numerous positive pieces of evidence both in animal experience and with humans will be of enormous importance for those suffering from different stages of Alzheimer's desease all over the world.

Effects of degraded operation modes on reliability and performance of manufacturing cells

In this study, operational performance of a manufacturing cell is analysed under three possible scenarios: fully reliable equipment; unreliable equipment subject to corrective maintenance and unreliable equipment allowed to operate under degraded mode also subject to corrective maintenance of different degrees. Stochastic models are utilised to determine various performance measures under various operational scenarios as mentioned. Performance measures included the productivity and reliability of the system as well as the utilisation of its components, under various operational conditions, including equipment failures and fault-tolerant states. The model and the results can be useful for design engineers and operational managers to analyse performance of a system at the design or operational stages.

The safe insertion of peripheral intravenous catheters: a mixed methods descriptive study of the availability of the equipment needed.

BackgroundIntravenous cannulation is undertaken in a high proportion of hospitalised patients. Much international attention has been given to the use of care bundles to reduce the incidence of infection in these patients. However, less attention has been given to the systems required to ensure availability of the equipment needed to support these care bundles. Our objectives were to assess how reliably the equipment recommended for a peripheral intravenous care bundle was available for use, and to explore factors which contributed to its non-availability.MethodsWe studied 350 peripheral cannula insertions in three NHS hospital organisations across the UK. Staff inserting cannulae were asked to report details of all equipment problems. Key staff were then interviewed to identify the causes of problems with equipment availability, using semi-structured qualitative interviews and a standard coding frame.Results47 equipment problems were recorded during 46 of 350 cannulations, corresponding to a reliability of 87%, or 94% if problems with sharps disposal were excluded. Overall reliability was similar in all three organisations, but the types of problem varied. Interviews revealed a variety of causes including issues associated with purchasing policies, storage facilities, and lack of teamwork and communication in relation to reordering. The many human factors related to the supply chain were highlighted. Often staff had adopted work-arounds to deal with these problems.ConclusionsOverall, 87% of cannulations had the correct and functional equipment available. Different problems were identified in different organisations, suggesting that each had resolved some issues. Supply chain management principles may be useful to support best practice in care bundle delivery.

Filling the security gap: military or police

This paper adds to the growing body of research that explores which force, military or civilian police, would be the more effective in filling the security gap in a post-conflict environment. The current debate centres on specialised units within the military or paramilitary constabulary forces such as the Gendarmerie or the Carabinieri as being more appropriate than civilian police in filling the security gap. This paper explores the idea that civilian police with the correct training and equipment are as competent as any other force in providing immediate post-conflict security and are in fact superior to military forces in establishing a sense of democracy and rule of law in a war torn nation.

Evaluating a fast-track discharge service for patients wishing to die at home

The UK Department of Health's End of Life Care Strategy highlighted the low percentage of patients who achieve their wish to die at home (~20%). Figures in south west London were below the London regional average. This paper reports an attempt to improve the proportion of patients from one hospital in the area achieving their preferred place of death. A funded initiative by two local primary care trusts allowed the development of a 7-day-per-week fast-track discharge service provided by the hospital palliative care team. The hospital team acted as coordinators, ensured that the correct medication and equipment would be available at the home, and personally transferred the patients to community services. Data is presented from the first representative period of fast-track discharging (June 2009-July 2010). A total of 110 discharges were facilitated over this time, with the rate increasing as the service developed. The vast majority of discharges occurred within 72 hours, and a significant number (~20%) occurred within 24 hours. The data indicate that the new service is effective. There are logistical problems in providing such a service and these are discussed. Further work is required to determine the feasibility of extending this service model to other acute hospitals and to evaluate its health-economic impact.

Evaluation of patient dose in some mammography centres in Iran

High diagnostic sensitivity and specificity while maintaining the least dose to the patient is the ideal mammography. The objective of this work was to evaluate patient dose and image quality of mammograms to propose corrective actions. The image quality for 1242 patient in 7 mammography facilities in Tehran city was evaluated based on selected image quality criteria using a three-point scale. Clinical image quality, the entrance surface air kerma, the average glandular dose and optical density of films for standard PMMA phantom of 4.5 cm thickness were evaluated. The results showed that up to 72 % of mammograms were in good condition to be diagnosed, and only about 3.4 % of the images were unacceptable or with suboptimal quality. The entrance surface air kerma values were in the range of 3.8-10.5 mGy, average glandular dose 0.5-1.8 mGy and optical density of films 0.74-2.03. The image quality evaluation after correction actions, periodic image quality evaluation and using the correct equipment certainly will improve patient dose.

Influence Factors Analysis in the Selection of Construction Equipment under Carbon Emission Constraints

Selecting the correct equipment is a multifaceted cost and benefit evaluation process due to the complexity of today’s construction projects and lack of considerations of all factors. Based on the analysis of traditional influence factors on the selection of construction equipments, carbon emission constraints were introduced to facilitate green construction. These factors were divided into three categories, which are certain factors, soft factors and carbon emission constraints, based on their own characteristics. By the classification of the factors, their impact on the selection of the construction equipments was studied in detail, especially the carbon emission constraints was investigated from three aspects: relationship between the emissions of CO2 and fuel consumption, standard and regulations of CO2 and carbon tax. The purpose of this paper is to find the main influence factors and provide a basic theoretical reference to the selection of construction equipments for decision-makers.