Laboratory Testing Techniques Research Articles

Dynamic Load Balancing and Service Prioritization Algorithm for Cloud Computing Environments

Bridge infrastructure plays a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of goods and people. This research paper investigates the strength characteristics of bridges with a focus on understanding the factors influencing their structural integrity and resilience. The study employs a comprehensive methodology that includes field inspections, laboratory testing, and advanced computational modeling techniques to assess the performance of various bridge types under different loading conditions. Findings reveal the complex interplay between design parameters, material properties, and environmental factors in determining bridge strength and durability. Moreover, the research highlights the importance of proactive maintenance strategies and innovative engineering solutions to enhance the resilience of bridge infrastructure against aging, deterioration, and extreme events. The insights gained from this study have significant implications for bridge design, maintenance practices, and public safety, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and reliability of transportation networks.

Review of the possible application of laboratory testing techniques for corrosion protection of steel structures

Review of the possible application of laboratory testing techniques for corrosion protection of steel structures

Exhaled Breath Analysis: from Laboratory Test to Wearable Sensing.

Breath analysis and monitoring have emerged as pivotal components in both clinical research and daily health management, particularly in addressing the global health challenges posed by respiratory and metabolic disorders. The advancement of breath analysis strategies necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, seamlessly integrating expertise from medicine, biology, engineering, and materials science. Recent innovations in laboratory methodologies and wearable sensing technologies have ushered in an era of precise, real-time, and in situ breath analysis and monitoring. This comprehensive review elucidates the physical and chemical aspects of breath analysis, encompassing respiratory parameters and both volatile and non-volatile constituents. It emphasizes their physiological and clinical significance, while also exploring cutting-edge laboratory testing techniques and state-of-the-art wearable devices. Furthermore, the review delves into the application of sophisticated data processing technologies in the burgeoning field of breathomics and examines the potential of breath control in human-machine interaction paradigms. Additionally, it provides insights into the challenges of translating innovative laboratory and wearable concepts into mainstream clinical and daily practice. Continued innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration will drive progress in breath analysis, potentially revolutionizing personalized medicine through entirely non-invasive breath methodology.

Clinical Characteristics, Species Distribution, and Drug Resistance of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria Lung Disease in Qingdao, China.

To analyze the clinical characteristics, species distribution and drug resistance of patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung disease in Qingdao, China. Clinical data of patients with NTM lung disease and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) treated at Qingdao Chest Hospital from July 2021 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The prevalence of NTM lung disease was 8.03%, with a high rate of drug resistance during the study period. Patients with NTM lung disease had higher rates of older age, bronchiectasis, malignancy, HIV infection and bronchial dilatation shadow and lower rates of hollow shadow compared to patients with pulmonary TB. Comprehensive understanding of NTM lung disease, improved laboratory testing techniques and appropriate treatment regimens are essential for the management of NTM lung disease.

The Relationship of Sanitation Hygiene with The Presence of Echericia Coli on Jamu Beras Kencur in The Official Village of Banjarbaru City

Jamu is a traditional medicine originating in Indonesia. We process herbal medicine from natural plants without using chemical additives as additional ingredients. Herbal medicine must meet health standards by BPOM Regulation, namely Escherichia coli negative. Escherichia coli found on jamu beras kencur can cause health problems for those who consume it. The Banjarbaru City Official Village is a collection of herbal medicine makers and traders. This study aimed to determine the correlation between hygiene and sanitation in the manufacture of jamu beras kencur and the presence of Escherichia coli in jamu beras kencur in Kampung Pesantren Banjarbaru City. The research type was an analytical and cross-sectional design approach. There were 13 makers and samples of jamu beras kencur. We gathered the data through observation and utilized laboratory testing techniques for MPN. Data analysis used the Spearman rank correlation test. Observations of herbal medicine makers' hygiene and sanitation conditions revealed that 7 (53.8%) fell into the excellent category. The results of laboratory examinations obtained by as many as seven (53.8%) met the requirements. The results of the Spearman test showed a correlation between hygiene and sanitation with Escherichia coli on jamu beras kencur in Kampung Pesantren Banjarbaru City. Herbalists use gloves, head coverings, masks, and aprons during herbal medicine processing to improve the bacteriological quality of the medicine. They also ensure that their nails are short, maintained, and cleaned. Herbalists process herbal medicine using boiling water as the raw material and adhering to strict hygiene and sanitation protocols.

Biomarkers in pediatric venous thromboembolism: a systematic review of the literature

BackgroundAccurate prediction of the individual risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains suboptimal in children, and biomarkers are currently not used to stratify the risk of VTE in children. ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess which biological or radiological biomarkers may predict VTE or VTE complications in children. Patients/MethodsA literature search was performed for peer-reviewed publications (1990-2022). We included studies addressing the use of biomarkers for patients aged 29 days to 18 years to predict VTE or its complications, including but not limited to TE-related death, VTE recurrence, or postthrombotic syndrome. Given the heterogeneity of the study designs, populations, and outcomes, no quantitative data synthesis was performed. ResultsForty studies were included, totaling 10,987 participants (median age: 4.7 years). Reports were often lacking critical methodological data, including blood collection method (68% of studies) and timepoints, laboratory testing technique (41%), or primary outcome definition (20%). Forty-six individual biomarkers were assessed for VTE prediction (32 studies, 9525 participants), including d-dimers, fibrinogen, platelet count, white blood cell count, and factor VIII. Albumin, C-reactive protein, d-dimers, factor VIII, and thrombin-antithrombin levels showed promising results for VTE prediction. In 9 studies (1606 participants), no biomarker was consistently predictive of postthrombotic syndrome, VTE persistence, or VTE recurrence in children. ConclusionsSeveral candidate biomarkers were promising in the prediction of VTE in children. Still, discrepancies between different studies and the high risk of bias from the current literature prevent their widespread use in the clinical setting. Further prospective research in various pediatric subpopulations is required.

Mechanical properties and acoustic emission response of carbonate fault breccias: a study from Greece

The present study aims to investigate the mechanical properties and acoustic emission (AE) response of carbonate fault rocks in Lefkada Island, Greece. In the aforementioned region, tectonic processes have resulted in the formation of fault breccias with poor mechanical properties and complex behaviour. In these weak formations, conventional laboratory testing methods are restricted due to disintegration during sampling and specimen preparation. A novel sample preparation and laboratory testing technique are used jointly with a back-analysis of a co-seismic landslide that occurred during a M w 6.5 earthquake in 2015. These two approaches are employed to characterize and predict the mechanical behaviour of these formations. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the fault breccias, determined in the laboratory, has a wide range due primarily to the complex nature of the material. The back-analysis, using a 3D limit equilibrium method, proves that the shear strength of the in situ material is significantly lower than that determined in the laboratory. Finally, the acoustic emission response of fault breccias was different compared to that of brittle rocks. Both b -value analysis and the damage variable evolution indicate that the accumulated damage within fault breccias is higher than expected, and thus they are more prone to fatigue. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Leading to Innovative Engineering Geology Practices collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/leading-to-innovative-engineering-geology-practices

A Cable Condition Monitoring Strategy for Safe and Reliable Plant Operation

Electrical cables provide essential functions, such as delivery of power or instrumentation signals for monitoring systems. Most cables installed in industrial applications are constructed with organic polymer insulations that can become brittle, crack, or degrade over time from exposure to harsh environmental conditions, such as elevated temperatures, moisture, vibration, mechanical shock, and radiation. This paper describes an overall strategy for assessing the health and managing the aging of cables during the operating life of an industrial facility. This strategy involves performing condition assessments and monitoring of electrical cables using both in situ and laboratory testing techniques. It includes in situ testing to identify anomalies in the circuits, such as degraded terminations, splices, connections, and degraded sections of cable insulation, as well as as-found evaluations to determine the current condition of installed cables. These cable condition evaluations provide important information about the current state of the cable circuits. Moreover, the test results can be used to trend/monitor age-related degradation and estimate the remaining useful life of installed cables.

Development of Eco-Friendly Concrete Mix Using Recycled Aggregates: Structural Performance and Pore Feature Study Using Image Analysis.

The shortage of natural aggregates has compelled the developers to devote their efforts to finding alternative aggregates. On the other hand, demolition waste from old constructions creates huge land acquisition problems and environmental pollution. Both these problems can be solved by recycling waste materials. The current study aims to use recycled brick aggregates (RBA) to develop eco-friendly pervious concrete (PC) and investigate the new concrete’s structural performance and pore structure distributions. Through laboratory testing and image processing techniques, the effects of replacement ratio (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) and particle size (4.75 mm, 9.5 mm, and 12.5 mm) on both structural performance and pore feature were analyzed. The obtained results showed that the smallest aggregate size (size = 4.75 mm) provides the best strength compared to the large sizes. The image analysis method has shown the average pore sizes of PC mixes made with smaller aggregates (size = 4.75 mm) as 1.8–2 mm, whereas the mixes prepared with an aggregate size of 9.5 mm and 12.5 mm can provide pore sizes of 2.9–3.1 mm and 3.7–4.2 mm, respectively. In summary, the results confirmed that 40–60% of the natural aggregates could be replaced with RBA without influencing both strength and pore features.

Laboratory Evaluation of Undrained Shear Strength of a Soft Fine Grained Soils

The determination of undrained shear strength of soils is commonly achieved using triaxial testing in which specimen is carefully prepared before testing to maintain its original field condition. However, for soft soils preparing and handling specimens without causing any disturbance is a difficult job and may not always be successful. Other laboratory testing techniques can be adopted provided they can produce reliable results for such cases and can overcome the problem of pretest preparation process and hence avoiding any alteration of sample field condition. Extensive laboratory investigation on a soft marine soil recovered from sea bed offshore of Benghazi city, the testing program involves investigation of the basic geotechnical properties, focusing specifically on the determination of the undrained shear strength of such soils as determined by both the conventional unconsolidated undrained triaxial testing (UU) and the simple laboratory vane shear testing device (Miniature shear vane MV). The resulting shear strength obtained by UU-triaxial test, and resulting shear strength measured by Miniature shear vane MV were examined, compared and discussed on the light of other research works. Furthermore, the problems faced during testing soft samples in triaxial apparatus was also presented. The resulting undrained shear strength obtained by UU-triaxial test was found generally lower than that produced by Miniature shear vane MV which is attributed to sample disturbance before testing in triaxial. The study also demonstrates that despite of high scatter, the undrained shear strength obtained by MV can be reasonably comparable with the results of other investigations on soft soils.

Measuring the Interactions Between Health Demand, Informatics Supply, and Technological Applications in Digital Medical Innovation for China: Content Mapping and Analysis.

BackgroundThere were 2 major incentives introduced by the Chinese government to promote medical informatics in 2009 and 2016. As new drugs are the major source of medical innovation, informatics-related concepts and techniques are a major source of digital medical innovation. However, it is unclear whether the research efforts of medical informatics in China have met the health needs, such as disease management and population health.ObjectiveWe proposed an approach to mapping the interplay between different knowledge entities by using the tree structure of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) to gain insights into the interactions between informatics supply, health demand, and technological applications in digital medical innovation in China.MethodsAll terms under the MeSH tree parent node “Diseases [C]” or node “Health [N01.400]” or “Public Health [N06.850]” were labelled as H. All terms under the node “Information Science [L]” were labelled as I, and all terms under node “Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment [E]” were labelled as T. The H-I-T interactions can be measured by using their co-occurrences in a given publication.ResultsThe H-I-T interactions in China are showing significant growth and a more concentrated interplay were observed. Computing methodologies, informatics, and communications media (such as social media and the internet) constitute the majority of I-related concepts and techniques used for resolving the health promotion and diseases management problems in China. Generally there is a positive correlation between the burden and informatics research efforts for diseases in China. We think it is not contradictory that informatics research should be focused on the greatest burden of diseases or where it can have the most impact. Artificial intelligence is a competing field of medical informatics research in China, with a notable focus on diagnostic deep learning algorithms for medical imaging.ConclusionsIt is suggested that technological transfers, namely the functionality to be realized by medical/health informatics (eg, diagnosis, therapeutics, surgical procedures, laboratory testing techniques, and equipment and supplies) should be strengthened. Research on natural language processing and electronic health records should also be strengthened to improve the real-world applications of health information technologies and big data in the future.

Evaluating corrosion and corrosion fatigue behavior via laboratory testing techniques in highly corrosive CCS-environment

In CCS environment (carbon capture and storage) pipes are loaded statically and/or cyclically and at the same time exposed constantly to the highly corrosive hot thermal water. Experimental procedures such as ambient pressure immersions tests, in-situ corrosion fatigue experiments using a flexibly designed corrosion chamber at ambient pressure and a specially designed corrosion chamber at high pressure. Experimental set-ups for push/pull and rotation bending load are introduced. The corrosion behavior and lifetime reduction of high alloyed steels (X46Cr13, 1.4043), (X5CrNiCuNb16-4, 1.4542) and (X2CrNiMoN22-5-3, 1.4462) is demonstrated (T=60 °C, geothermal brine: Stuttgart Aquifer flow rate: 9 l/h, CO2).

Recent Development in Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a transmissible disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The primary clinical expression of COVID-19 is an acute respiratory illness with interstitial and alveolar pneumonia. The virus originated in late 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The infectious agent, based upon genetic studies is of zoonotic origin and spread in the local population possibly through community spread by persons shopping at wet animal market, where live wild game is sold. The rapid spread of COVID-19 led it to be declared a global pandemic by the WHO. As of September 21, 2020, 30,675,675 cummulative cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide with 954,417 cumulative deaths. The diagnosis of COVID-19 is based primarily on epidemiological factors, clinical symptoms, and laboratory testing techniques such as hemography, chest computed tomography, and virologic examination. To date, there are no clinically approved vaccines or antiviral drugs available for use against COVID-19. Nevertheless, in clinical trials, a few broad-spectrum antiviral drugs as well as repurposed drugs approved for other indications have been assessed against COVID-19. In this review, we highlight the epidemiology, symptoms, transmission, pathogenesis of the COVID-19, with emphasis on current progress in rapid diagnosis and treatment options.

A data-driven approach for predicting the time-dependent settlement of embankments on soft soils

Models of soil behaviour, in situ and laboratory testing techniques and system models for describing the geometry and time-dependent processes involved in the settlement of embankments on soft soils have reached a level of maturity where reliable predictions for this problem should be readily achievable. Despite this, there is clear evidence to demonstrate engineering predictions of embankment behaviour can be inaccurate, resulting in construction cost and schedule overruns. One key reason for this is the significant influence that personal judgement plays in processing soil test data to derive engineering parameters. In this paper, a method that makes progress toward overcoming this is developed using oedometer test results directly in a data-driven approach, thus avoiding the need to evaluate profiles of compression indices and yield pressures. The method has been deployed as an easy-to-access cloud-based application and its use demonstrated with a comprehensive case history. Data used in this paper are freely available in electronic format.

Laboratory testing for the diagnosis of COVID-19

Rapid and accurate laboratory diagnosis of active COVID-19 infection is one of the cornerstones of pandemic control. With the myriad of tests available in the market, the use of correct specimen type and laboratory-testing technique in the right clinical scenario could be challenging for non-specialists. In this mini-review, we will discuss the difference in diagnostic performance for different upper and lower respiratory tract specimens, and the role of blood and fecal specimens. We will analyze the performance characteristics of laboratory testing techniques of nucleic acid amplification tests, antigen detection tests, antibody detection tests, and point-of-care tests. Finally, the dynamics of viral replication and antibody production, and laboratory results interpretation in conjunction with clinical scenarios will be discussed.

Characterization of Intrinsic ΔKth to Support Crack Growth Estimates under Spectrum Loading in the HCF/VHCF Domain

Abstract Closure-free intrinsic threshold stress intensity, ΔKth,i, can vary significantly depending on near-tip residual stress, σ*. σ* is a computed parameter that is sensitive to hysteretic stress–strain crack-tip response to applied load history. The test procedure developed in earlier work to characterize ΔKth,i as a function of σ* was optimized and validated on three different materials, demonstrating both consistent estimates of ΔKth,i as well as its unique relationship with σ*. A detailed description of the improved test procedure is provided to enable implementation on a target test system. Establishment of the ΔKth,i versus σ* relationship permits improved estimates of extended duration spectrum load fatigue crack growth associated with high cycle fatigue (HCF) and very high cycle fatigue (VHCF). The test procedure to characterize this relationship merits adoption as a standard test practice given the promise of bridging a longstanding gap between laboratory test techniques and requirements of residual crack growth life estimates under long-duration spectrum loading.

Progress of clinical diagnosis and treatment in fungal keratitis

Fungal keratitis is an important cause of corneal blindness in China. Delayed diagnosis and treatment contribute to its poor prognosis. In recent years, with the advancement of laboratory test techniques, imaging diagnostic techniques and treatment methods, the diagnosis and treatment of fungal keratitis has constantly improved. This article reviews the recent progress of the laboratory and imaging diagnosis, medicine and surgical treatment in fungal keratitis. It may be helpful to promote the application of the new technologies in China and to improve the prognosis of fungal keratitis.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 631-636).

Reliability of in-situ diagnosis in external wall renders

This study focuses on the reliability of in-situ diagnosis performed on external rendered façades. This analysis was based on a set of parameters drawn from different visual observation, in-situ and laboratory testing techniques. The results were collected based on the previous inspections of 98 rendered façades of buildings and individual testing walls with different components, ages and degradation types. For that purpose, a reliability indicator was proposed and applied for better results interpretation of multiple testing techniques. In each case study, the parameters with higher reliability are defined. The final reliability indicator was established based on the average of three partial indicators, namely a reliability indicator for the established base criteria’ uncertainty in laboratory testing (reference reliability indicator); a reliability indicator for the assessment techniques’ uncertainty (verification method reliability indicator); and a reliability indicator for the results’ uncertainty (number of the tests and their accuracy; reliability indicator of results obtained in-service). The reference parameters for each testing technique were synthesised. The relevant aspects, such as uncertainty associated with the reference parameter and type of verification method (quantitative, qualitative, and intervals), were defined. The analysis of the relationships between the parameters (exemplified for mechanical properties) and their correlation coefficients were assessed. Selection matrices were proposed that qualitatively identify the set of parameters that contribute to indirectly analyse the characteristics and performance relevant to the behaviour of the renders applied on façades.

High Reynold’s Number Turbulent Model for Micro-Channel Cold Plate Using Reverse Engineering Approach for Water-Cooled Battery in Electric Vehicles

The investigation and improvement of the cooling process of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) used in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are required in order to achieve better performance and longer lifespan. In this manuscript, the temperature and velocity profiles of cooling plates used to cool down the large prismatic Graphite/LiFePO4 battery are presented using both laboratory testing and modeling techniques. Computed tomography (CT) scanning was utilized for the cooling plate, Detroit Engineering Products (DEP) MeshWorks 8.0 was used for meshing of the cooling plate, and STAR CCM+ was used for simulation. The numerical investigation was conducted for higher C-rates of 3C and 4C with different ambient temperatures. For the experimental work, three heat flux sensors were attached to the battery surface. Water was used as a coolant inside the cooling plate to cool down the battery. The mass flow rate at each channel was 0.000277677 kg/s. The k-ε model was then utilized to simulate the turbulent behaviour of the fluid in the cooling plate, and the thermal behaviour under constant current (CC) discharge was studied and validated with the experimental data. This study provides insight into thermal and flow characteristics of the coolant inside a cooing plate, which can be used for designing more efficient cooling plates.

TESTING ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF ACTIVE RFID TAGS IN LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Recently, the development of communication technologies, including the Internet of Things technology, has allowed to significantly automate and make people's lives easier. Internet of Things technologies are being implemented in various applications from agriculture to industrial sectors, from smart homes to smart cities. Due to this popularity, the number of smart devices is growing rapidly. Multiple forecasts already represent numbers of up to several billion devices in the next 5 years. Thus, the task of providing energy consumption for so many devices has become a priority in the development of Internet of Things. In order to study energy consumption, the simplest Internet thing based on RFID technology was tested, which allowed to calculate the service life of the battery located in the case of the radio frequency identification tag. Research subject. This article is about testing the power consumption of a typical Internet of Things device — RFID tags. Method. The studies are based on experimental methods, as well as statistical processing of measurement results. A laboratory bench for full-scale tests was developed with the support of the Rode and Schwartz Company, a testing procedure was developed, and an analysis was made of the energy consumption of the label under various operating conditions. Core results. The results of testing the battery life are presented. Practical relevance. The results of testing the RFID tag are presented, the battery life for the RFID tag is calculated. Practical significance. The results can be used when testing RFID tags and determining the operating time from various batteries. The presented laboratory bench scheme and testing technique can be used not only for RFID tags, but also for other types of Internet of Things devices.