Efficiency Quotient Research Articles

The Clinical Introduction of a Third Generation Lithotriptor: Modulith SL 20

The Modulith SL 20* was designed as a third generation lithotriptor with outstanding disintegrative efficacy in vitro, and equipped with a combined flouroscopic and ultrasound localization system integrated in a multifunctional table. Its introduction to clinical extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy took place in 3 phases. In phase 1 (49 patients) only in line ultrasound localization was possible. The many caliceal stones were adequately disintegrated with restricted generator voltage. In phase 2 (81 patients) flouroscopic localization with the virtual focus of an adapted x-ray C-arm unit enabled in situ lithotripsy of ureteral stones in 33 percent of all patients. Phase 3 (549 patients) was characterized by additionally increasing the generator voltage to 20 energy resulted in the possibility for successful disintegration of stones in the entire upper urinary tract (including the complete ureter), decreased treatment time (52 to 39 minutes) and an improved efficiency quotient (0.45 to 0.67). During phase 3 auxiliary measures were performed before lithotripsy in 24 percent of the cases. After 1.8 percent of the treatments minor or moderate perirenal fluid collection or bleeding was detected by routine followup sonography. A 91 percent stone-free rate was achieved with only 9.3 percent curative auxiliary measures after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, including a 23 percent retreatment rate. Thus, the Modulith device had a high efficacy quotient compared with other lithotriptors. *Storz Medical, Kreuzlingen, Germany.

Studies on Grain and Flour Quality of Wheat in Tohoku District. 1. Effect of harvest time on grain and flour quality of wheat.

The effect of harvesting time on wheat qualities was investigated with three main cultivars in Tohoku district, Kitakamikomugi, Koyukikomugi and Nanbukomugi from 1988 to 1990. These cultivars were harvested at pre-maturity, maturity and post-maturity by combine and the grains were dried at about 35°C by air-forced oven until 12% moisture content. The grain and 60% extraction flour were analyzed for crude protein and ash content. The dough characters were exmamined by Brabender machines. The ash content of 60% extraction flour, straight flour and ship stuff, and sedimentation value had statistically significant differences among the harvesting times. But the crude protein content of grain and 60% flour and ash content of grain were not significant. The ash content decreased and milling efficiency quotient increased in the late harvesting time. The flour extraction (%) was significant among harvesting times but its differences were very small. The B/M and milling score increased but semolina production rate decreased in the late harvesting time. Farinogram characteristics changed into tight dough, while extensogram characteristics changed into runny dough in late harvesting time. It is concluded that the better quality wheat could be harvested by late harvesting time if heavy rain is not encountered.

The efficiency of beef production in terms of carcass-weight increase as influenced by the ration concentration and the age of steers

The carcass-weight increase of beef steers of various ages receiving fattening rations of different roughage: concentrate ratios was calculated by making use of the average dressing percentage of a control group slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment.It is shown that, in terms of t.d.n./100 lb. carcass-weight increase, which is probably the more accurate measure of efficiency, the 2-year-olds were better feed converters than the calves. When the criterion was t.d.n./100 lb. live-weight increase the calves were superior. Ration B (1 concentrates: 1 roughage) was utilized most efficiently in terms of calculated carcass-weight increase, followed in a descending order by the high-concentrate ration C and the high-roughage ration (ration A).The relationship of live-weight increase to carcass- weight increase as calculated is discussed. The proportion of live-weight gain laid down as carcass varied with age, growth rate and type of ration. This percentage variation ranged from 57% in slow-growing calves to 81% in fast-growing 3-year-olds. On the average, calves converted 61% of their live-weight gain into saleable carcass, the 2-year-olds 70·8% and the 3-year-olds 75·9%. The steers on the A (high roughage) ration converted 65·7% of live-weight gain into carcass, those on the C (high concentrate) ration 71·5% and those on the B (1 concentrate: 1 roughage) 69·2%. Reasons for these differences are discussed in terms of so-called differential growth.The live weights and carcass weights of steers were plotted and the regression equationwhereYis carcass weight andXis live weight, was derived. The correlation coefficientr= 0·98 and the slope of the curve indicated that for an increase of 1% in the live weight of the steers, the carcass weight increased by 1·13%.Several methods of expressing ‘efficiency of the fattening’ were applied to the data and the results are discussed. The methods were unanimous in selecting the steers on the B ration as the most efficient followed by those on ration C and the poorest were those on the A ration. Methods based on live-weight increase showed the calves, but those based on carcass-weight increase the 2-yearolds, as the most efficient. Results obtained by applying the Efficiency Quotient and Efficiency Index suggested that the older animals wero the more efficient. They differed from all other methods since these indicated that efficiency declined with age.Efficiency values calculated by different formulae vary and no efficiency index has yet been evolved that will embrace all the variable factors which may have an influence on the efficiency of growth and fattening.

Planning removable partial dentures

Clasp-retained removable partial dentures should not be designed solely for efficiency in mastication. In many instances, a compromise is necessary. This is acceptable as long as it is not a compromise with evil. Too great an efficiency quotient may be almost immediately destructive to supporting teeth and other tissues. The preservation of these supporting teeth should be our ultimate aim in design. Only the dentist, who manipulates the mounted diagnostic casts, studies the roentgenograms, and examines and questions the patient as to his oral and general health, has adequate knowledge to dictate denture design. Also, with his training in anatomy, biology, histology, physiology, and mechanics, he alone can predict the long range response of the patient's tissues to oral rehabilitation and will design the restorations accordingly. This study of design, which must satisfy esthetics and be kind to living tissues as well as take care of the mechanical problems, must start long before the master cast is placed on the surveying tilt table. In fact, it must have been planned before the mouth preparations are made.

Influence of Raw and Whole Dried Liver on Food Consumption and Utilization.

In experiments described by Smith1 it was shown that liver tissue extracted with alcohol until fat-free has a biological value inferior to that of whole liver, as shown by a subnormal growth rate. In the present experiments an attempt was made to gain information as to the manner in which whole liver exerts its favorable influence. A combination of the efficiency quotient method of Palmer and Kennedy2 and the paired-feeding method used by Mitchell and Carman3 was used. Male albino rats on a complete diet containing 20% extracted liver, 1 supplemented by 0.5 gm. of dried whole liver or 1.5 gm. of raw liver daily, and whose food intake was limited to that of control animals, grew at a faster rate and had lower efficiency quotients than did the controls. Animals receiving the supplements and having no restrictions in food intake consumed more food, but made greater gains and had somewhat lower efficiency quotients than those whose food intake was limited. When the diet was supplemented with an equivalent amo...

The Efficiency Quotient as a Measure of Achievement

(1922). The Efficiency Quotient as a Measure of Achievement. The Journal of Educational Research: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 25-32.