Test Method Research Articles

Understanding chromoblastomycosis in Sri Lanka; insights into fungal aetiology and antifungal susceptibility patterns

Introduction: Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic disfiguring fungal infection of the subcutaneous tissue found mainly in the socio-economically marginalized population in the tropical and sub-tropical regions, characterized by the presence of sclerotic cells. This study was done with the aim of identifying the antifungal sensitivity patterns of the causative agents of chromoblastomycosis in Sri Lanka from 1992 to 2019.Methodology: Study was done on the stored isolates received from patients with chromoblastomycosis since 1992 to 2019, to the Mycology Reference Laboratory of Medical Research Institute, Colombo. Isolates were revived by subculture on Potato dextrose agar. Identification was done phenotypically. Antifungal sensitivity testing was performed by E test method. Available demographic and clinical data were analysed.Results: Of the 74 isolates, 71 (96%) were caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Mean MIC for the antifungals tested were lowest for posaconazole 0.015 μg/ml followed by itraconazole 0.225 μg/ml, and voriconazole 0.768 μg/ml while amphotericin B demonstrated complete resistance with mean MIC of 30.591 μg/ml. No statistically significant differences were noted on the antifungal sensitivity of the isolates from 1992 to 2004 and 2005 to 2019.Conclusions: Fonsecaea pedrosoi was the commonest causative agent causing chromoblastomycosis in the studied population. Posaconazole demonstrated the lowest MIC values for the tested isolates followed by itraconazole and voriconazole. Amphotericin B demonstrated very high MIC values which were likely to result in clinical failure upon treatment. MIC values demonstrated minimal fluctuations throughout the tested time.

Conformity Assessment of a Modernised Locomotive Bogie and Body Connection – Type Tests and Results

Referring to the lecture held on 16th Mini-Conference on Vehicle System Dynamics, Identification and Anomalies, Budapest, 5-7 November 2018, the accredited Notified Body started the conformity assessment process of the modernized bogie-locomotive body connection of MÁV-START Class V63 electric locomotives running with Ganz-MÁVAG UFC-type bogies, in 2017. Since the planned modification of the locomotives was delayed, the Conformity Assessment Body could perform the necessary riding quality and noise test in the summer of 2020 instead of September 2018. The study presents the modification carried out on the locomotives, the test procedures, and the test results. The aim and the novelty of the research was to apply the latest developments of the test procedures on a modified, existing rolling stock. The conformity for the new requirement makes challenges for the development of testing even if theoretically a well-known test method is applied. The article gives an example for the application of a classic test method combined with of the new possibilities, that makes unnecessary the use of additional railway test cars.

Discrimination Between Benign and Malignant Lesions With Restriction Spectrum Imaging MRI in an Enriched Breast Cancer Screening Cohort.

Breast cancer screening with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) is recommended for high-risk women but has limitations, including variable specificity and difficulty in distinguishing cancerous (CL) and high-risk benign lesions (HRBL) from average-risk benign lesions (ARBL). Complementary non-invasive imaging techniques would be useful to improve specificity. To evaluate the performance of a previously-developed breast-specific diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) model (BS-RSI3C) to improve discrimination between CL, HRBL, and ARBL in an enriched screening population. Prospective. Exactly 187 women, either with mammography screening recommending additional imaging (N = 49) or high-risk individuals undergoing routine breast MRI (N = 138), before the biopsy. Multishell DW-MRI echo planar imaging sequence with a reduced field of view at 3.0 T. A total of 72 women had at least one biopsied lesion, with 89 lesions categorized into ARBL, HRBL, CL, and combined CLs and HRBLs (CHRLs). DW-MRI data were processed to produce apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, and estimate signal contributions (C1, C2, and C3-restricted, hindered, and free diffusion, respectively) from the BS-RSI3C model. Lesion regions of interest (ROIs) were delineated on DW images based on suspicious DCE-MRI findings by two radiologists; control ROIs were drawn in the contralateral breast. One-way ANOVA and two-sided t-tests were used to assess differences in signal contributions and ADC values among groups. P-values were adjusted using the Bonferroni method for multiple testing, P = 0.05 was used for the significance level. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and intra-class correlations (ICC) were also evaluated. C1, √C1C2, and were significantly different in HRBLs compared with ARBLs (P-values < 0.05). The had the highest AUC (0.821) in differentiating CHRLs from ARBLs, performing better than ADC (0.696), especially in non-mass enhancement (0.776 vs. 0.517). This study demonstrated the BS-RSI3C could differentiate HRBLs from ARBLs in a screening population, and separate CHRLs from ARBLs better than ADC. 2.

Evaluation of the Utilization of Web-based Library Application Information Systems using Whitebox and Blackbox Testing Methods

The library information system is a computerized process for integrated data management. This research was conducted in the library located at SMAN 12 Bandung, Jl. Sekejati No. 36, Sukapura. The importance of performance measurement. The validity of implementation from the perspective of effectiveness and efficiency of web-based libraries is the main thing in the aim of managing library digitalization. This research was carried out using the Whitebox and Blackbox Testing integration method. The purpose of the research is to conduct an Information Technology Audit with the validity of measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of application functions. The research results show that the technical analysis of FlowGraph Whitebox is based on source code and flowcharts running on Cyclomatic Complexity which counts the number of nodes and edges in FlowGraph. Research implications support the assessment of the concrete validity of the method used. This can be seen from the research results that the performance of the Web-based Widyantara Library application at SMAN 12 Bandung is considered satisfactory with a good level of validity, this is proven by the test results using the white box testing method. Meanwhile, based on the analysis of the black box testing method on application functionality, the test results are said to be good with a validity percentage reaching 100%. Validity according to application design is proven by testing 10 application scenarios.

Individual Psychological Profiles And Their Influence On Self-Regulatory Behaviour In Sport

The purpose of this paper is to study how individual psychological characteristics of an athlete affect his/her ability to effectively self-regulate during training. In the course of the study, the testing method was applied (Cognitive Strategies in Sport Scale and Psychological Stress Measurement). Methods of descriptive statistics for the analysis of the mean value and square deviation and Pearson's correlation coefficient (chi-square). The results of the study showed that there is a statistically significant difference between the mean values of all cognitive strategies. The most pronounced differences were observed between emotional control and other strategies, as well as between focusing attention and other strategies. This suggests that emotional control and attention focus are key cognitive strategies for achieving success in sport. In addition, psychological aspects and individual personality traits of athletes significantly affect their ability to self-regulate during training, which confirms the importance of taking these factors into account when developing training programmes. The study confirmed that emotional control and focus are key cognitive strategies for achieving success in sport. Individual psychological characteristics of athletes have a significant impact on their ability to effectively self-regulate during training. This highlights the importance of integrating psychological training into training programmes to improve athletes' performance. Further research should focus on developing methods to help improve these aspects.

BIM and orthogonal test methods to optimize the energy consumption of green buildings

The construction industry’s rapid growth significantly impacts energy consumption and environmental health. It is crucial to develop optimization strategies to enhance green building energy efficiency and encompass comprehensive analysis methods. This study aims to introduce and validate a novel framework for optimizing energy efficiency design in green buildings by integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis, and orthogonal testing methods, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency and reducing life cycle costs. The optimization parameters for the building envelope are identified by analyzing energy consumption components and key green building factors. The orthogonal testing method was applied to streamline design options. Building Energy Consumption Simulation (BECS) software and LCC analysis tools were employed to calculate each optimized option’s total annual energy consumption and the current life cycle costs. Using the efficiency coefficient method, each optimization scheme’s energy consumption and economic indicators were thoroughly analyzed. The framework’s validity and applicability were confirmed through an empirical analysis of a campus green building case in Fujian Province, demonstrating that the optimized framework could reduce energy consumption by 4.85 kWh/m2 per year and lower costs by 38.89 Yuan/m2 compared to the reference building. The case study highlights the framework’s significant benefits in enhancing environmental performance and economic gains. The results provide critical parameter selection and offer scientific and technological support for the design of building energy efficiency, promoting optimization techniques and sustainable development within the construction industry.

Study of Semi-Adiabatic Temperature Rise Test of Mineral Admixture Concrete

The concrete used in the main structures of subway stations has a high degree of constraint. Consequently, temperature changes and shrinkage during construction frequently lead to significant constraint stress, which can result in structural cracking. Therefore, cement with low hydration heat is commonly used in engineering to reduce the temperature of concrete during its age. Aiming at the problem of hydration and heat release caused by concrete construction, based on the principles of concrete hydration heat release and a numerical analysis method, an optimized semi-adiabatic temperature rise test method has been introduced to investigate concrete temperature rise characteristics with different mineral admixtures. The following conclusions were obtained: The effect of reducing the heat of hydration is related to the content and material properties of different mineral admixtures, but not the type of mineral admixture to be incorporated. The temperature rise performance of four common mineral admixtures is as follows: ① total cooling capacity: limestone powder &gt; slag, fly ash &gt; metakaolin; ② early heat generation rate: metakaolin &gt; slag &gt; fly ash &gt; limestone powder; ③ heat reduction rate in the middle and late periods: metakaolin &gt; limestone powder &gt; fly ash &gt; slag.

A novel real-time hybrid testing method for Twin-Rotor Floating Wind Turbines with Single-Point Mooring systems

The Floating Wind Turbines (FWT) are at the forefront of innovation, aiming to enhance power capacity and reduce costs. Among these innovations, the Twin-Rotor Single-Point Mooring Floating Wind Turbines (TR-SPM FWT) stands out. However, the unique structural design and dynamic characteristics of TR-SPM FWT pose challenges for traditional FWT model testing methods. To address this, a real-time hybrid testing (RTHT) method is proposed, employing the Multi-drive Aerodynamic Loading Simulator (MALS), specifically tailored for TR-SPM FWT model tests. MALS incorporates load distribution rules to accurately simulate aerodynamic loads, with its precision and response speed comprehensively evaluated. Furthermore, to enable multiple MALS units to replicate complicated aerodynamic behaviors concurrently, interference between channels and synchronization of units are examined. A load correction model is introduced and a RTHT system is devised, considering the floater yaw feedback of TR-SPM FWT. Ultimately, the proposed method is successfully applied to investigate the dynamic response of a TR-SPM FWT under diverse wind and wave conditions, demonstrating the reliability of the proposed test method and system.

Explaining the spread in measurement of PDMS elastic properties: influence of test method and curing protocol.

Accuracy in the measurement of mechanical properties is essential for precision engineering and for the interrogation of composition-property relationships. Conventional methods of mechanical testing, such as uniaxial tension, compression, and nanoindentation, provide highly repeatable and reliable results for stiff materials, for which they were originally developed. However, when applied to the characterization of soft and biological materials, the same cannot be said, and the spread of reported properties of similar materials is vast. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), commonly obtained from Dow as SYLGARD 184, is a ubiquitous such material, which has been integral to the rapid development of biocompatible microfluidic devices and flexible electronics in recent decades. However, reported shear moduli of this material range over 2 orders of magnitude for similar chemical compositions. Taking advantage of the increased mechanical scrutiny afforded to SYLGARD 184 in recent years, we combine both published and new experimental data obtained using 9 mechanical test methods. A statistical analysis then elucidates the significant bias induced by the test method itself, and distinguishes this bias from the influence of curing protocols on the mechanical properties. The goal of this work is thus two-fold: (i) it provides a quantitative understanding of the different factors that influence reported properties of this particular material, and (ii) it serves as a cautionary tale. As researchers in the field of mechanics strive to quantify the properties of increasingly complex soft and biological materials, converging on a standardized measurement of PDMS is a necessary first step.

LABORATORY DETECTION OF COLISTIN-RESISTANT &lt;i&gt;ENTEROBACTERALES&lt;/i&gt; IN TANDEM WITH ROUTINE ANTIBIOGRAM

Since the emergence and spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, particularly those carrying metallo-β-lactamases with 16S rRNA methyltransferases for which newly introduced antibiotics are inactive, colistin is a last resort therapy for life-threatening extensively drug-resistant infections. This requires that laboratories use an accurate and reliable method for routine colistin susceptibility testing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and applicability of a colistin screening medium for detection of colistin-resistant isolates simultaneously with routine susceptibility testing. It was evaluated with fifty colistin-resistant and the same number of colistin-susceptible comparator isolates. Our results showed that all colistin-resistant isolates grew on DiaPlate™ EMB Agar + Colistin medium within the standard antibiogram period. In contrast, no growth was observed among the colistin susceptible comparators. DiaPlate™ EMB Agar + Colistin is a screening medium that can detect colistin- resistant Enterobacterales isolates when pure bacterial cultures are tested. As this method for detecting colistin-resistant isolates uses the same inoculum as the Kirby-Bauer method, the screening test for colistin resistance can be conveniently performed on clinical isolates along with routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Multi-channel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) platform for pollutant detection in water fabricated on polydimethylsiloxane.

Aminiature multi-channel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is constructed to achieve rapid delivery of polluted water and specific identification of multiple components. Hg2+, organic pollutants, and sodium nitrite are successfully identified by the multi-channel SERS sensor using Cy5, cyclodextrin, and urea in the corresponding detection area. This multi-channel sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity and specificity, with detection limits of 3.2 × 10-10M for Hg2+, 1.0 × 10-8M for aniline, 6.9 × 10-9M for diphenylamine, 9.1 × 10-8M for PCB-77, and 7.5 × 10-9M for pyrene, and5.0 × 10-7M for sodium nitrite. Compared with traditional analysistechniques, this method exhibited excellent recovery for the water pollutants ranging from 82.1 to 115.8%. The PDMS-based microchannel allows for simultaneous and rapid identification of multiple environmental pollutants, offering a portable detection method for emergency testing of environmental pollutants and routine determination of water pollutants.

Application of the non-linear three-component model for simulating accelerated creep behavior of polymer-alloy geocell sheets

The polymer-alloy geocell sheets (PAGS) represent a novel geocell material developed to replace conventional geocell materials. Accelerated creep testing, a convenient and precise performance evaluation method, presents a viable alternative to traditional creep testing for obtaining long-term creep strains. Nonetheless, there is a lack of prediction and in-depth exploration of accelerated creep testing. This paper aims to assess the efficacy of using the non-linear three-component (NLTC) model to simulate the accelerated creep behavior of PAGS. The predictive accuracy of the NLTC model has undergone evaluation through a comparison between stepped isothermal method (SIM) accelerated creep experimental tests and numerical simulations. Subsequently, the validated NLTC model was employed to simulate the time-temperature superposition method (TTSM), time-stress superposition method (TSSM), and stepped isostress method (SSM) accelerated creep tests, thereby verifying its effectiveness in predicting all accelerated creep tests. The results indicate that the NLTC model can effectively simulate creep deformation induced by temperature increases, particularly the temperatures below 41 °C. Although some errors are observed at elevated temperatures, it is within the acceptable range of 17.4%. Numerical simulation results of TTSM, TSSM, and SSM tests also suggest the model's proficiency in simulating the accelerated creep behavior by temperature and creep load increasing.

A tunable spatial coherence imaging with ultrasonic array for defects in composites

ABSTRACT Ultrasonic phased array detection technology is a promising non-destructive testing (NDT) method that has been widely used for defect detection. Due to the high attenuation characteristics of ultrasonic wave propagation in carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and the directivity of the array elements, the possibility of false or missed detection for defects that are far from the array elements or located very close together will increase. In addition, the total focusing method (TFM) employs only the defect information contained in the full matrix capture (FMC) dataset while ignoring the spatial information of the array signals, leading to image mixed with artefact and noise. An improved method called p-weighted-TFM (p-WTFM) is proposed. First, this method scales the magnitude of time-delayed channel signal by p-th root while maintaining the phase unchanged. Second, channel summation with energy compensation and directional correction will be realised. Finally, the signal dimensionality is restored by p-th power. Experimental results show that the p-WTFM can use any rational p-value to flexibly adjust image quality. Specially, this method can accurately distinguish adjacent defects spaced 1 mm apart with p value of 2.5, and it can also detect two defects located 10 mm deep with p value of 3.0.

Influence of Test Method on the Determination of Tensile Strength Perpendicular to Grain of Timber for Civil Construction

Influence of Test Method on the Determination of Tensile Strength Perpendicular to Grain of Timber for Civil Construction

A Simple Method of Estimation and Testing Based on Q–Q Plots

A Simple Method of Estimation and Testing Based on Q–Q Plots

The Change of Sealing Property in the Aging Process of NBR Sealing Equipment Based on Finite Element Analysis

Sealing rings are the core components of flange sealing structures and play a crucial role in the storage and operation of gas generators. The aging and deformation of seals affect the safe operation of the device. This paper aims to investigate the effect of rubber aging on the sealing performance of the components, which is realized by nonlinear finite element analysis. Firstly, an accelerated degradation test method was used to obtain the compression permanent deformation and stress–strain curve of rubber during the aging process. A two-dimensional finite element model of the sealing structure was constructed and the Yeoh model was utilized to describe the mechanical response of rubber. During the simulation, the contact area was modified based on the compression permanent deformation, and the Yeoh model was updated based on the stress–strain curve changes obtained by the test. The impact of key parameters such as material property changes, rubber physical section deformation, and fluid pressure on sealing performance during the seal ring aging process was systematically studied. The numerical results indicate that due to the aging deformation of rubber seals, there is a significant decrease in contact stress and contact width, as well as a shift in maximum equivalent stress area. Taking into account these findings, this study proposes a new design concept for sealing structures. This provides a relatively simple research method for studying flange sealing structure performance.

Issues of physical development among the Mongolian youth

At the beginning of the research, we proposed the goal of studying the modern trends in physical education at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology through analysis and comparative assessments. As a result of the study, it was observed that comprehensive education in England, sports education using technical and technological advances in Australia, sports teaching for happiness in Japan and China and skills education and physical education in Mongolia are the dominant teaching approaches. In the course of the analysis, it has been found out that there is a lack of attitude towards physical education in Mongolia, and we have determined the extent to which it has been effective through a test study. One of the main goals of our work is to study the issue of physical development of the Mongolian youth in years past. The article presents the results of the unprecedented physical development test of the first-year students enrolled in the Mongolian University of Science and Technology from 2008 to 2018. We used the “Test to Determine the Level of Physical Development and Fitness of the Population”. Actually, this test named after the President of Mongolia Mr. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj has been implemented at the national level. During the test, height, weight, speed, strength, flexibility and endurance of students were studied by the movement test method. The test was evaluated according to the approved methodologyю. And as a result, we used quantitative and statistical research methods, performed reliability and statistical tests for each questionnaire and data obtained and analyzed the correlation of factors. If we look at physical development levels of all students, there were 14 percent with poor results and 44 percent with insufficient ones. The physical development of the majority of participants (58 percent) was rated below the sufficient level (17 points) that a person of that age should have. In terms of gender, 53 percent of male students and 65 percent of female students had insufficient physical development. According to the data of a sociological questionnaire survey of students participating in the test, 58.1 percent did not exercise or play sports. It was an interesting observation that coincided with the result that 58.0 percent of the test participants had insufficient physical development. According to our research, the majority of Mongolian students and young people had a low level of physical fitness, and one of every six students had weight problems. This may indicate that the approach to teaching skills development and physical education is somewhat ineffective. The theoretical and practical significance of the research is that the current situation regarding physical development of students and youth can be determined and the results can serve as a basis for making detailed policies and decisions for the development of physical activity and sports among young people. Today, students and youth are the most important segment of the population that drives the economy and human development of Mongolia, so it is important to cultivate a healthy and physically fit nation relying on the fact that physical activity and sports should be available for all people.

Performance Characterization of the Field Aged Asphalt Pavement Materials at Mortar Scale: Testing Method Optimization and Rheology Analysis

Performance evaluation at the asphalt mortar scale offers increased sensitivity to aging and is less affected by extraction processes comparated to asphalt mixture. Despite these benefits, there is currently a lack of standardized methods for directly processing mortar samples obtained from field mixtures. This study aims to improve and validate a manufacturing procedure for aged mortar specimens derived from field aging cores, and to evaluate the field damage level of asphalt paving materials at the mortar scale. A novel approach was developed that incorporates warm sieving, compaction, coring, and cutting to manufacture mortar specimens suitable for Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) tests. This study selected mortar specimens with different service ages and conducted rheological tests, including frequency sweep tests and modified Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) tests, to assess their rheological performance. And the significance test of all the indcies were conducted to select suitable indcies.The results show the proposed aged mortar manufacture approach can prepare eligible mortar specimens for rheology tests. The rheology test results show that several indices can distinguish different mortar types and service ages, and the indices of surface layer mortar follow a linear relationship with service age. The linear viscoelastic zone (LVE), representative shear modulus (G0), and unrecovered creep compliance at 1.6kPa (Jnr1.6) and 3.2kPa (Jnr3.2) are identified as effective indices for evaluating the behavior of field aged mortar because of their effectiveness, lower variability, and better distinction.

Construction d’une méthodologie d’évaluation clinique des dispositifs médicaux grâce aux outils de simulation et illustration à travers trois études

European regulations have recently moved towards more stringent requirements for demonstrating the safety and performance of medical devices (MDs). To apply an innovative testing method using medical simulation to the evaluation of three medical devices at different stages of their life cycle. The methodology for evaluating DMs using simulation is based on seven stages: definition of the context, training, construction of a scenario to test the DM, validation of the scenario, realization of the scenario, evaluation of the scenario by the players and validation and exploitation of the results. Our evaluation methodology enabled us to assess three DMs at different stages of their development: a respiratory protection device at the initial stage (prototype definition), a respiratory protection mask (prototype optimization) and bottle adapters (post-marketing). Simulation is a valuable tool for evaluating DM. The proposed methodology enables it to be used and adapted to different contexts. It responds to the specificities of clinical evaluation of this class of products, and helps to better anticipate certain risks.

NIR spectroscopy for quality assessment and shelf-life prediction of kiwifruit

In this study, a non-destructive quality testing method along with shelf-life prediction of Xu Xiang ready-to-eat kiwifruit were developed using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) techniques. Several traditional quality indicators (hardness, soluble solids content, and dry matter) were evaluated. Partial least squares regression (PLS) was used to predict the intrinsic quality attributes of the samples. Competitive adaptive reweighted sampling algorithm (CARS) and uninformative variable elimination (UVE) algorithm were used to select the characteristic wavelengths. Prediction models for hardness, soluble solids content and dry matter were developed. The results showed that the prediction ability of the models could be improved by screening the characteristic wavelengths of CARS and UVE. Among them, the CARS-SNV-PLS model based on soluble solids had the best prediction ability (RMSEP of 0.430 and Rp2 of 0.958). Then, an NIR-based residual shelf-life prediction model was obtained by linking the measured quality indicators to the residual shelf-life, which was well validated with an RMSEP of 1.64 and an Rp2 of 0.939. Therefore, this study demonstrated the potential of combining CARS, SNV, and PLS for the non-destructive testing of ready-to-eat kiwifruit to provide technical support and solution.