Extraneous Materials Research Articles

The Grainger Test Challenged? Thomas v Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

ABSTRACT This note analyses the decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) (Sheldon J) of Thomas v Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Brett. The central message of the case is that English Nationalism with an anti-Islamic, anti-immigrant tinge does not deserve legal protection as a philosophical belief under s.10 Equality Act 2010. Thomas raises an interesting point of principle regarding the question of whether the fifth limb of the Grainger v Nicholson test—namely whether philosophical beliefs are worthy of respect in a democratic society, compatible with human dignity or are in conflict with the fundamental rights of others (fifth limb)—should be expanded to exclude from protection beliefs espousing intolerance or discrimination, and provides helpful clarity on how tribunals may take into account material beyond what is pleaded by the claimant in order to ascertain what the true nature of a purported philosophical belief may be. The note concludes that the former point is a move which should be resisted given the importance of rights under Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and also critiques the reasoning of the Employment Appeal Tribunal in countenancing this possibility. It also concludes that the latter point will be of particular interest to practitioners who plead these sort of cases before the tribunals and predicts respondents to be bolder in their use of extraneous material to interrogate the nature of a claimant’s beliefs beyond what is pleaded or contained in their witness statements. The note also concludes that tribunals can also have more confidence, in light of Thomas, in relying on such material in their judgments without excessive caution that they have blurred the lines of overreliance on manifestations of beliefs as opposed to focusing on the beliefs themselves.

Neutron tomography and image registration methods to study local physical deformations and attenuation variations in treated archaeological iron nail samples

This study presents a preliminary examination of the effects of environment changes post-excavation on heavily corroded archaeological Roman iron nails using neutron tomography and image registration techniques. Roman nails were exposed to either a high relative humidity environment, or fast thermal drying as primary experiments to show the power of this imaging technique to monitor and quantify the structural changes of corroded metal artifacts. This research employed a series of pre- and post-treatment tomography acquisitions (time-series) complemented by advanced image registration methods. Based on mutual information (MI) metrics, we performed rigid body and affine image registrations to meticulously account for sample repositioning challenges and variations in imaging parameters. Using non-affine local registration results, in a second step, we detected localized expansion and shrinkage in the samples attributable to imposed environmental changes. Specifically, we observed local shrinkage on the nail that was dried, mostly in their Transformed Medium (TM), the outer layer where corrosion products are cementing soil and sand particles. Conversely, the sample subjected to high relative humidity environment exhibited localized expansion, with varying degrees of change across different regions. This work highlights the efficacy of our registration techniques in accommodating manual removal or loss of extraneous material (loosely adhering soil and TM layers around the nails) post-initial tomography, successfully capturing local structural changes with high precision. Using differential analysis on the accurately registered samples we could also detect and volumetrically quantify the variation in moisture and detect changes in active corrosion sites (ACS) in the sample. These preliminary experiments allowed us to advance and optimize the application of a neutron tomography and image registration workflow for future, more advanced experiments such as humidity fluctuations, corrosion removal through micro-blasting, dechlorination and other stabilization treatments.

Remarkable performance of Co3O4 anode coated with hard-soft carbon 2D nanosheets prepared from single pavement petroleum asphalt precursor

Incorporating extraneous carbonaceous materials to coat transitional metal oxide (TMO) anodes emerges as a viable strategy to mitigate the pulverization of TMO anode during Li-ion insertion/extraction processes. Herein, hard-soft carbon coated Co3O4 (HC-SC@Co3O4) composites were synthesized by employing a facile NaCl-mediated pyrolysis with Co(NO3)2·6 H2O as the oxide precursor and pavement petroleum asphalt as the single hard-soft carbon source. Microscopic structure characterizations revealed that HC-SC@Co3O4 exhibited a core-shell structure with a fluffy nanoflower-like S/O co-doped carbon shell. Benefiting from its distinctive coating structure, the HC-SC@Co3O4 anode demonstrated remarkable cycling stability and significant initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) of 71 %, after 150 cycles at 100 mA g−1, it still maintained a capacity of 742 mAh g−1. Moreover, introduction of soft carbon delivered outstanding rate capability upon HC-SC@Co3O4 anode, evidenced by discharge capacities of 1108 and 571 mA h g−1 at 100 and 1000 mA g−1, respectively. This study not only presents the potential to effectively solve the challenge of TMO anodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but also introduces an economically and environmentally approach for the efficient utilization of pavement petroleum asphalt.

A CFD simulation platform for surface finishing processes in advanced manufacturing

Products created by additive manufacturing often have surface imperfections that require post-processing operations to remove extraneous material in order to meet design specifications. The usage of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to predict material removal rates of components, allows practitioners to optimize the setup and usage of post-processing equipment. However, those without in-depth knowledge of CFD or the related specialized software, require an easy-to-use and cost-effective application to manage the computational workflow. The two specific surface finishing applications investigated here, are, abrasive flow machining (AFM) and robotic stream finishing (RSF). In order to satisfy user requirements, a modular, threaded, fault-tolerant and object-oriented project management application, written with the Python programming language and PyQt6 framework, has been developed to conduct surface finishing-related CFD simulations using OpenFOAM®. The advantages of the proposed software are: 1) the modern PyQt6 framework is used to develop a cross-platform and user-friendly application which employs the model-view class architectural paradigm for data management and its display, 2) step-by-step interactive project workflows have been tailored specifically for AFM and RSF simulations, 3) the developed steady-state viscoelastic flow solver for AFM and continuum-based steady-state dense granular flow solver for RSF, offer advantages over those provided by OpenFOAM® and 4) simulation results have been corroborated by experimental data to assess the improved accuracy of material removal prediction of the current software when compared to other commercial applications.

The transmission line foreign body detection algorithm based on weighted spatial attention.

The secure operation of electric power transmission lines is essential for the economy and society. However, external factors such as plastic film and kites can cause damage to the lines, potentially leading to power outages. Traditional detection methods are inefficient, and the accuracy of automated systems is limited in complex background environments. This paper introduces a Weighted Spatial Attention (WSA) network model to address the low accuracy in identifying extraneous materials within electrical transmission infrastructure due to background texture occlusion. Initially, in the model preprocessing stage, color space conversion, image enhancement, and improved Large Selective Kernel Network (LSKNet) technology are utilized to enhance the model's proficiency in detecting foreign objects in intricate surroundings. Subsequently, in the feature extraction stage, the model adopts the dynamic sparse BiLevel Spatial Attention Module (BSAM) structure proposed in this paper to accurately capture and identify the characteristic information of foreign objects in power lines. In the feature pyramid stage, by replacing the feature pyramid network structure and allocating reasonable weights to the Bidirectional Feature Pyramid Network (BiFPN), the feature fusion results are optimized, ensuring that the semantic information of foreign objects in the power line output by the network is effectively identified and processed. The experimental outcomes reveal that the test recognition accuracy of the proposed WSA model on the PL (power line) dataset has improved by three percentage points compared to that of the YOLOv8 model, reaching 97.6%. This enhancement demonstrates the WSA model's superior capability in detecting foreign objects on power lines, even in complex environmental backgrounds. The integration of advanced image preprocessing techniques, the dynamic sparse BSAM structure, and the BiFPN has proven effective in improving detection accuracy and has the potential to transform the approach to monitoring and maintaining power transmission infrastructure.

Starch Granule Yields from Open-Air Metates Unaffected by Environmental Contamination

Abstract The morphological characteristics of starch granules preserved on ancient ground stone tools can reveal which plant species were processed and consumed and even infer tool function. Bedrock metates are commonly associated with the processing of localized seasonal resources, providing potential evidence for past human lifeways, including foods collected and processed, social gatherings, settlement patterns, land investment, and territorial behavior. In contrast to ground stone artifacts preserved in a buried context that have been studied extensively, limited starch research has been conducted on the potential for environmental contamination of open-air bedrock mortars and metates exposed to natural erosional elements. This project examines the residue samples of bedrock metates from three archaeological sites in southern Oregon in the United States to compare the starch yields of extraneous material cleaned from the grinding surface to those extracted from interstitial matrices deeper within the bedrock. Significantly greater number of starch granules were recovered from deep within the cracks and crevices than from the surface. Our study suggests that environmental contamination can be managed if separate surface and control samples are collected and analyzed in conjunction with the interstitial samples. Examining the potential for environmental contamination on exposed grinding surfaces is crucial for confidence in starch granule results and improving our understanding of human dietary behavior.

Live tracking of a plant pathogen outbreak reveals rapid and successive, multidecade plasmid reduction.

Quickly understanding the genomic changes that lead to pathogen emergence is necessary to launch mitigation efforts and reduce harm. In this study, we tracked in real time a 2022 bacterial plant disease outbreak in U.S. geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) caused by Xhp2022, a novel lineage of Xanthomonas hortorum. Genomes from 31 Xhp2022 isolates from seven states showed limited chromosomal variation and all contained a single plasmid (p93). Time tree and single nucleotide polymorphism whole-genome analysis estimated that Xhp2022 emerged within the last decade. The phylogenomic analysis determined that p93 resulted from the cointegration of three plasmids (p31, p45, and p66) found sporadically across isolates from previous outbreaks. Although p93 had a 49 kb nucleotide reduction, it retained putative fitness genes, which became predominant in the 2022 outbreak. Overall, we demonstrated, through rapid whole-genome sequencing and analysis, a recent, traceable event of genome reduction for niche adaptation typically observed over millennia in obligate and fastidious pathogens.IMPORTANCEThe geranium industry, valued at $4 million annually, faces an ongoing Xanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii (Xhp) pathogen outbreak. To track and describe the outbreak, we compared the genome structure across historical and globally distributed isolates. Our research revealed Xhp population has not had chromosome rearrangements since 1974 and has three distinct plasmids. In 2012, we found all three plasmids in individual Xhp isolates. However, in 2022, the three plasmids co-integrated into one plasmid named p93. p93 retained putative fitness genes but lost extraneous genomic material. Our findings show that the 2022 strain group of the bacterial plant pathogen Xanthomonas hortorum underwent a plasmid reduction. We also observed several Xanthomonas species from different years, hosts, and continents have similar plasmids to p93, possibly due to shared agricultural settings. We noticed parallels between genome efficiency and reduction that we see across millennia with obligate parasites with increased niche specificity.

Variability in Physical Properties of Logging and Sawmill Residues for Making Wood Pellets

Wood pellets are a versatile ingredient to produce bioenergy and bioproducts. Wood pellet manufacturing in Canada started as a way of using the excess sawdust from sawmilling operations. With the recent dwindling availability of sawdust and the growth in demand for wood pellets, the industry uses more non-sawdust woody biomass as feedstock. In this study, woody biomass materials received from nine wood pellet plants in British Columbia (BC) and Alberta were analyzed for their properties, especially those used for fractionating feedstock to make pellets. Half of the feedstock received at the plants was non-sawdust. Moisture contents varied from 10 to 60% wet basis, with the hog having an average of 50%. Ash contents ranged from 0.3 to 4% dry basis and were highest in the hog fraction. Bulk density varied from 50 to 450 kg/m3, with shavings having the lowest bulk density. Particle density ranged from 359 kg/m3 for infeed mix to 513 kg/m3 for sawdust. In total, 25% of particles received were larger than 25 mm. The extraneous materials (sand, dirt) in the infeed materials ranged from 0.03% to 1.2%, except for one hog sample (8.2%). Plant operators use mechanical fractionation and blending to meet the required ash content. In conclusion, further instrumental techniques to aid in fractionation should be developed.

A supernumerary synthetic chromosome in Komagataella phaffii as a repository for extraneous genetic material

BackgroundKomagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) is a methylotrophic commercially important non-conventional species of yeast that grows in a fermentor to exceptionally high densities on simple media and secretes recombinant proteins efficiently. Genetic engineering strategies are being explored in this organism to facilitate cost-effective biomanufacturing. Small, stable artificial chromosomes in K. phaffii could offer unique advantages by accommodating multiple integrations of extraneous genes and their promoters without accumulating perturbations of native chromosomes or exhausting the availability of selection markers.ResultsHere, we describe a linear “nano”chromosome (of 15–25 kb) that, according to whole-genome sequencing, persists in K. phaffii over many generations with a copy number per cell of one, provided non-homologous end joining is compromised (by KU70-knockout). The nanochromosome includes a copy of the centromere from K. phaffii chromosome 3, a K. phaffii-derived autonomously replicating sequence on either side of the centromere, and a pair of K. phaffii-like telomeres. It contains, within its q arm, a landing zone in which genes of interest alternate with long (approx. 1-kb) non-coding DNA chosen to facilitate homologous recombination and serve as spacers. The landing zone can be extended along the nanochromosome, in an inch-worming mode of sequential gene integrations, accompanied by recycling of just two antibiotic-resistance markers. The nanochromosome was used to express PDI, a gene encoding protein disulfide isomerase. Co-expression with PDI allowed the production, from a genomically integrated gene, of secreted murine complement factor H, a plasma protein containing 40 disulfide bonds. As further proof-of-principle, we co-expressed, from a nanochromosome, both PDI and a gene for GFP-tagged human complement factor H under the control of PAOX1 and demonstrated that the secreted protein was active as a regulator of the complement system.ConclusionsWe have added K. phaffii to the list of organisms that can produce human proteins from genes carried on a stable, linear, artificial chromosome. We envisage using nanochromosomes as repositories for numerous extraneous genes, allowing intensive engineering of K. phaffii without compromising its genome or weakening the resulting strain.

Exploring factors influencing repeated recalls in the US meat and poultry industry

AbstractRepeated recalls are an important issue impacting public health and the food industry. Survival functions are used to investigate the timing of repeated recalls and double hurdle regression models explore factors influencing the probability of repeated recalls and the number of repeated recalls in the US meat and poultry industry between 2003 and 2019. Findings suggest that 25% of recalls are repeated and the average period between recalls is 1340 days (3.67 years). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis results suggest that the number of repeats and similar reasons for recalls significantly impact survival functions but no statistically significant differences were seen across plant sizes. Regression results suggest that product type (processed vs. fresh products) had no significant impact on the probability of a repeated recall but a significant positive impact on the number of repeats. Extraneous material contamination positively influenced the probability of a repeated recall but negatively influenced the number of repeats. The scope of marketing (depth and breadth) had a significant positive impact on the probability of a repeated recall but had no significant impact on the number of repeats. Large plants are more likely to experience a repeated recall and a greater number of repeats. Considering market failures in the provision of safe food, government detection is an important way to discover food safety problems. The results show that government detection of problems is effective in reducing the probability of a repeated recall and the number of repeats. Based on these findings, we draw policy and management implications for the government and plants to avoid repeated recalls. [EconLit Citations: M11, Q13].

Studies on interfacial shear strength of pineapple leaf fibre from agro-waste reinforced polypropylene composites: Influence of fibre length and carding parameters

This work investigates the potential utilisation of the agro-waste pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) as a green reinforcement in polypropylene (PP) composites. Generally, chemical treatment is used to clean the scratched PALF, and the effluents of those chemicals are discharged into nature. A new mechanical approach (carding) was used in this work to remove the remaining extraneous substances from the scratched and sun-dried PALF instead of using any chemical treatment. The percentage of sticky fibres and dust content decreased, and fibre breakage increased with the increasing number of carding passages. The individualized fibre properties were also influenced by the number of carding passages. The carding process reduced the diameter of PALF due to removal of extraneous materials. The tensile properties of raw PALF improved significantly until the fourth carding passage and further increase in the number of passages did not show any significant influence on the tenacity and modulus. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the elimination of hemicellulose along with other gummy and waxy substances from the individualized PALF due to the carding action. The crystallinity % also increased after the carding process due to the removal of amorphous substances. As the reinforcement-matrix interfacial shear strength (IFSS) strongly influences the physico-mechanical properties of composites, IFSS of carded PALF reinforced finer and coarser PP fibre micro-bonded composites was also studied using the single fibre pull-out test (SFPT). Among different composites, the fourth carding passed PALF-reinforced finer PP fibre micro-bonded composite showed the highest IFSS. Additionally, the load- extension curves and SEM images of the tensile pulled-out surface were investigated to study the interfacial adhesion between PALF and PP micro-droplets. The increased surface roughness of PALF due to the carding action resulted in an improvement in the IFSS of PALF-reinforced PP micro-bonded composites.

Multi-processed cassava root meal: A suitable replacement for maize in Japanese quail diet

The aptness of multi-processed cassava root meal in place of maize was examined using four hundred (400) day-old Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks. The quails were randomized to five sets of four replicates each, of 20 quails per replicate. The experiment lasted for 5 weeks. Fresh cassava roots (Manihot esculenta) were rid of extraneous materials, ground to pasty form, and left in the sac for seven days to let out the water content and ferment. The cassava tuber cakes obtained were further sundried to reduce the moisture level. The resulting meal was used to formulate the experimental diet at 0.00%, 25.00%, 50.00%, 75.00%, and 100.00% replacement levels for maize in the diets C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 respectively. The final weight, weight gain, feed intake, and all hematological parameters were significantly different (p < 0.05). However, Alanine aminotransferase, total protein, triglyceride, and cholesterol were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among the serum biochemistry parameters. Similarly, meat sensory properties were not significantly influenced (p > 0.05) but yolk color, smell, taste, and overall acceptability differ significantly (p < 0.05) for egg sensory properties. The liver, empty gizzard, abdominal fat, and testicle weights were significantly different (p < 0.05). The results obtained suggest that maize can totally (100%) be replaced with multi-processed cassava root meal in the diets of Japanese quails because the feed conversion ratio was not affected, the birds were not anemic, serum metabolites were not adversely influenced and meat sensory properties were not affected. In addition, egg organoleptic showed that yolk color, smell, and taste were improved.

Islamic Modernism and Tafsir in Nineteenth Century Egypt: A Critical Analysis of Muhammad Abduh’s Exegesis

The aim of this paper is to examine the concept of Islamic modernism in nineteenth-century Egypt as expressed in Tafsir al-Manar, placing particular emphasis on Muhammad ‘Abduh (1849-1905). The major focus of the paper is human reason (‘aql) as perceived by ‘Abduh and reflected in Tafsir al-Manar. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Quranic exegesis gained new momentum with the emergence of Islamic modernism. In Egypt, ‘Abduh used tafsir as a major vehicle to disseminate his revolutionary thoughts. The central concept of his reform was that Islam could not face the challenges of modernity and the West unless Muslims learnt modern and other rational sciences. ‘Abduh abandoned the traditional formula of tafsir in favour of the rationalist approach, which he believed was essential in order to demonstrate the viability of Islam to the modern period. Traditional exegetes, he argued, had wasted too much effort on delving into the ‘technicalities’ of grammar, theological disputes and other extraneous material. Tafsir, he maintained, had to be presented in a style adaptable to the demands of the society. Moreover, for the present situation of Muslims to be improved and for Islamic modernism to be sustained, the Quran had to be rationally interpreted. This paper examines the concept of Islamic modernism in nineteenth century Egypt, as expressed in Tafsir al-Manar, making particular reference to Muhammad ‘Abduh (1849-1905). It evaluates his contributions to modern tafsir and analyse his rational approach in the interpretation of the Quran.

FEATURES OF THE GENESIS OF ANTHROPOGENIC SOILS OF LVIV

FEATURES OF THE GENESIS OF ANTHROPOGENIC SOILS OF LVIV

Improving the Accuracy of Saffron Adulteration Classification and Quantification through Data Fusion of Thin-Layer Chromatography Imaging and Raman Spectral Analysis.

Agricultural crops of high value are frequently targeted by economic adulteration across the world. Saffron powder, being one of the most expensive spices and colorants on the market, is particularly vulnerable to adulteration with extraneous plant materials or synthetic colorants. However, the current international standard method has several drawbacks, such as being vulnerable to yellow artificial colorant adulteration and requiring tedious laboratory measuring procedures. To address these challenges, we previously developed a portable and versatile method for determining saffron quality using a thin-layer chromatography technique coupled with Raman spectroscopy (TLC-Raman). In this study, our aim was to improve the accuracy of the classification and quantification of adulterants in saffron by utilizing mid-level data fusion of TLC imaging and Raman spectral data. In summary, the featured imaging data and featured Raman data were concatenated into one data matrix. The classification and quantification results of saffron adulterants were compared between the fused data and the analysis based on each individual dataset. The best classification result was obtained from the partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model developed using the mid-level fusion dataset, which accurately determined saffron with artificial adulterants (red 40 or yellow 5 at 2-10%, w/w) and natural plant adulterants (safflower and turmeric at 20-100%, w/w) with an overall accuracy of 99.52% and 99.20% in the training and validation group, respectively. Regarding quantification analysis, the PLS models built with the fused data block demonstrated improved quantification performance in terms of R2 and root-mean-square errors for most of the PLS models. In conclusion, the present study highlighted the significant potential of fusing TLC imaging data and Raman spectral data to improve saffron classification and quantification accuracy via the mid-level data fusion, which will facilitate rapid and accurate decision-making on site.

Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen vaccine InflammoThrombotic and Prion Type Effect on Erythrocytes When Added to Human Blood

Background: Three EUA approved drug vaccine biologics have been approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for SARS-CoV-2. Their effect upon erythrocytes has not previously been reported. Methods: Seven individuals (4 men; 3 women) including two people with prior SARS-CoV-2 infections, one previously vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine (two doses), and one previously vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine (three doses including one booster) provided blood drawn by venipuncture for analysis. In the first part of the study, one male subjected provided blood by venipuncture analysis. This blood was microscopically analyzed before and after the administration of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and normal saline. In the second part of the study, 3 men and 3 women provided blood samples obtained by venipuncture. Each of the individual’s blood was directly examined microscopically before and after administration of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines to the blood. In the third part of the study the vaccines were independently analyzed for extraneous material. Results: Seven individuals including 4 men and 3 women showed normal erythrocyte coloration when their blood was drawn by venipuncture. Each individual’s blood when analyzed microscopically demonstrated normal morphology and appearance. In each instance, the administration of the Pfizer, Moderna, or Janssen vaccines directly into the blood on peripheral blood smear demonstrated an almost immediate loss of red color. This loss of red color persisted throughout the examination and was only seen where the vaccines mixed with erythrocytes. As the vaccines spread across the blood smear, the erythrocytes demonstrated (a) a loss of red color that was not transient, (b) clumping of erythrocytes not observed during the same time period following the administration of normal saline to the blood, and (c) alterations in the morphology of erythrocytes. While several of the vials had extraneous material; none of them had evidence of significant graphene oxide, living organisms, or nanotechnology. Conclusion: Administration of Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines resulted in the immediate loss of red coloration present in erythrocytes. This loss of red coloration indicates that there is a disruption of the hemoglobin binding of oxygen. Since atmospheric oxygen is immediately available to re-saturate the hemoglobin molecules restoring the red color responsible for the function and name of erythrocytes; the results of this investigation suggest that there is an alteration in the hemoglobin molecule preventing the hemoglobin from binding with oxygen. This alteration of the hemoglobin molecule could be explained if the vaccines merge with the erythrocytes and release their genetic material (RNA or DNA) directly into the erythrocytes; having a prion altering effect upon the hemoglobin molecule. Some of the vaccine samples included extraneous materials. The vaccines did not include observable graphene oxide, eggs or living organisms.

On-farm demonstration and evaluation of Jimma replaceable drum multi-crop thresher in west Shawa zone, Ethiopia

In West Shawa Zone where this research endeavored to introduce Jimma made multi crop thresher, the most common methods of threshing a variety of crops is traditional. It involves striking the crops panicle with stick or trampling under animal hooves and winnowing it by tossing the threshed mixed mass in the air when there is enough wind to separate the chaff from grain on ogdi. This method is inefficient, slow, prone to drudgery as well as the time taken and the labor required are considerably high along with the problem of contamination of grains with extraneous material such as dung, urine and sand. To obviate these all, a multi crop thresher for major cereal crops was developed at JAERC and intended to demonstrate in Toke Kutaye and Liban Jawi districts with the specific objectives of building farmers awareness of Jimma MCT and its potential uses; evaluating the machine for its performance in terms of threshing efficiency, capacity and total threshing losses and eliciting farmers and other stakeholders’ feedback that can be used as an important data source for further refinement of the machine demonstrated. The participants were both extension functionaries and the purposively selected farmers from the areas where production of teff, wheat and maize are collectively predominating. data entailed Weight of the threshed grain, un threshed grains, damaged grains, time of operation, no of farmers participated in awareness creation training and field days, and feedback information were collected through a variety of indices of measurement, reckoning techniques and focus group discussions. It was found that the thresher could thresh the crops to a threshing efficiency of 91, 92, and 98.5% for teff wheat and maize; the output capacities of 69.09, 110.5 and 930 kg/hr for the same crops were satisfactory; and threshing loss of 12.9 and 10.9% achieved for teff and wheat respectively was rather high. Hence, the recommendation to pre scaling up the machine for maize threshing and on how to improve for teff and wheat were provided.

A Brief Review On Cleaning Validation-Regulatory Guidelines For Pharmaceuticals

Cleaning validation is a process used by pharmaceutical manufacturers to ensure that their equipment and facilities are thoroughly cleaned and free of any residual contaminants that could potentially compromise the quality of their products. This process is guided by regulatory guidelines set forth by FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) are two examples of such agencies.&#x0D; Cleaning validation protocols are typically required by these guidelines, which outline cleaning procedures, acceptance criteria for evaluating the effectiveness, as well as testing and documenting the results. The protocol should also include a risk assessment to determine which equipment and areas of the facility are most critical to the product's quality and safety.&#x0D; Manufacturers are also expected to periodically review and update their cleaning validation protocols as necessary, and to keep detailed records of all cleaning validation activities. A manufacturer's cleaning validation protocol and the presence of contaminants may also be verified by FDA or EMA inspections. To ensure consistently high quality, pharmaceutical manufacturers must control cross-contamination. There must be a comprehensive cleaning regime in place to demonstrate that the methods employed in a facility consistently control the carryover of product (including intermediates and impurities), cleaning agents, and extraneous material into subsequent products. An effective cleaning regime provides documented evidence that these aspects are consistently controlled within a facility. As a pharmaceutical manufacturer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your cleaning process complies with cGMP regulations, first and foremost.

Incorporation of Functional Extraneous Cellulose in the Natural Fiber Welding Process

The efficient and non-derivatizing dissolution of natural biopolymers by ionic liquids (ILs) is poised to redefine the application of these ubiquitous and structurally robust materials on a grand industrial scale. In concert with this idea is Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a technique which exploits the solvating properties of ionic liquids to partially dissociate the outer biopolymer layers in strands of fibrous thread, followed by solvent removal to collapse the structures in a reconfigured and entangled hydrogen bonding network. For cotton, this welding produces a layered motif of mesoporous cellulose atop a core of unmodified crystalline cellulose, creating a hierarchical structure which retains a semblance of the native biomaterial. Aggressive welding conditions increase the thickness and surface area of the mesoporous layer, though excessive welding leads to full dissolution of the crystalline core creating a tradeoff between an increase in surface area with loss of product integrity. In the present work, we seek to subvert aggressive welding conditions by supplementing dissolved cellulose as an additive in the welding solution. We will demonstrate how this extraneous cellulose can coat and weld to the underlying cotton substrate to increase the size of the amorphous shell around the crystalline core and, ultimately, bolster the mesoporous network and enhance the overall surface area. In addition, we will discuss how Raman-sensitive functionalization can be used to identify inclusion depth of the extraneous material and as a way to probe the potential for layer-by-layer deposition of functional cellulose during the NFW process.

Acts of International Organizations as Extraneous Material for Treaty Interpretation

Acts of international organizations often reflect developments in international law. Therefore, they could contribute to the evolutive interpretation of treaty texts if it were not for Article 31 VCLT, which embraces extraneous material for interpretative purposes but strongly focuses on the parties’ acceptance of the material’s interpretive value. The analysis of national and international case law shows that acts of international organizations are very rarely mentioned in the context of treaty interpretation and very little use is made of the opportunity to establish the ordinary meanings of technical treaty terms through such acts. The organizations’ most important interpretive role lies in the self-application of their constituent instruments, and even then, only with respect to so-called ‘household matters’ concerning each organization’s own procedures and competences. In contrast, the functional authority of organizations concerning the interpretation of the ‘constitutional’ rights and obligations of their Member States requires the latter’s broad acceptance. With regard to treaties other than constituent instruments, the analysed case law illustrates that domestic and international courts continue to demonstrate great reluctance in using the acts of international organizations in their interpretive processes and, when they do, they do so in a faltering manner.