Pipe Cleaning Research Articles

A Kinesthetic Model Demonstrating Molecular Interactions Involved in Anterior-Posterior Pattern Formation in Drosophila

Prerequisites for the Developmental Biology course at Augustana College are introductory courses in zoology and cell biology. After introductory courses students appreciate the fact that proteins have three-dimensional structures; however, they often fail to recognize how protein interactions with other cellular components can lead to specific cellular responses. One of the first topics covered in Augustana's Developmental Biology course is anterior-posterior axis determination in Drosophila. In the past, the subject was taught with a series of graphs demonstrating mRNA and protein concentrations along the anterior-posterior axis. However, this pedagogy was too conceptual for the majority of students enrolled in the course. To aid their understanding, a kinesthetic model of the molecular interactions involving bicoid, nanos, hunchback, and caudal transcripts and proteins utilizing colored pipe cleaners and beads was created. Students model molecular interactions between proteins (beads) and transcripts (pipe cleaners) by placing the appropriate bead on the appropriate pipe cleaner. After working with the model, the concept of molecular interactions became more concrete to students, and they were able to conceptualize anterior-posterior axis determination in Drosophila more clearly. Throughout the rest of the course, students were able to understand molecular interactions without the aid of additional models.

Irrigation and Fertigation Scheduling for Peach and Citrus Crops

A completely automatic drip irrigation system used in fertigation for peach and citrus was designed and installed at the IARI farm. A separate fertigation control unit was made for operation and control of fertigation of fruit crops in the orchard. Fertigation scheduling comprised two important components i.e. estimation of crop water and nutrient requirement and their application in correct dosage at appropriate stage. The water requirement varied in different months and at various stages of the crop. Hydraulic fertilizer pumps were used for the fertigation through solenoid operated hydraulic valves. The most suitable dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was found to be 30, 15 & 30 ppm in peach and 60, 30 & 60 ppm in citrus during the initial stages of growth and fruiting. The annual consumption of major nutrients per tree was found to be 354 gm for nitrogen, 160gm for phosphorus and 345 gm for potassium. Water soluble fertilizers viz., Potassium nitrate, Ammonium nitrate and Phosphoric acid were used for fertigation. Potassium nitrate was the only source of potassium while nitrogen was found in both potassium and ammonium nitrate. Phosphoric acid served the twin purpose of phosphorous source as well as cleaning of lateral pipes of drip irrigation, whenever so required.

Implementation of the laparoscopic simulator in a gynecological residency curriculum

In view of the current emphasis on increasing patient safety and quality control in laparoscopic surgery, there is a growing need to improve laparoscopic training. This study was conducted to investigate if and when residents reached performance standards for basic laparoscopic skills on a boxtrainer and to analyze the current state of implementation of laparoscopic simulators in a gynecological residency curriculum. Residents across all 6 years of residency (postgraduate year [PGY] 1-6) were tested once on our boxtrainer by performing five inanimate tasks (pipe cleaner, rubber band, beads, cutting circle, intracorporeal knot tying). A sumscore for the five tasks was calculated for each participant (sum of all scores). Scores were calculated by adding completion time and penalty points, thus rewarding both speed and precision. These data were compared with scores of laparoscopic experts, which were set as performance standards. Of the participants, 111 were residents (7 PGY1, 27 PGY2, 29 PGY3, 28 PGY4, 14 PGY5, 6 PGY6) and 8 were experts. At the end of residency, PGY6 residents reached the performance standard for all tasks except intracorporeal knot tying. It was not until PGY5 that residents reached the performance standard for the pipe cleaner task; PGY1, for rubber band; PGY5, for beads; PGY4, for circle cutting; and PGY6, for sumscore. Throughout residency PGY6 had a mean total of only 3.6 h of simulator training experience. No correlation was found between this previous voluntary simulator training experience and performance on our boxtrainer during this study (sumscore), and between previous voluntary simulator training and total laparoscopic procedures performed. In a combined multivariate analysis, sumscore performance remained significantly associated with the number of laparoscopic procedures performed by residents when they were working as as a primary surgeon (p = 0.002), and not with the cumulative hours of simulator training during residency prior to participating in this study (p = 0.15). In a current Dutch gynecological residency curriculum, residents do not reach all performance standards for basic laparoscopic skills on the boxtrainer. We conclude that the voluntary simulator training program has a substantial risk to fail and that the implementation of the laparoscopic skills simulator in the current residency curriculum is in its infancy.

Self-reported versus observed scores in laparoscopic skills training

Education in basic laparoscopic skills training is performed ideally in an inanimate laboratory. Monitoring of basic skills progression, which is essential during this tranining, often may be difficult because of the resources and manpower. This study investigated the differences between self-reported and observed scores during basic laparoscopic exercises. First-and second-year medical students involved in practice sessions using the LTS 2000 box trainer were included in the study. All the students were allowed to practice four tasks: placing pegs with their dominant and nondominant hands, transferring pegs from one hand to another starting with the dominant and nondominant hands, cannulating a pipe cleaner into a plastic tube, and progressing from one end of a rope to the other. Each student recorded his or her times and errors for each task. After these practice sessions, each student underwent an observed session (OS), performing all of the tasks, and was graded by a surgeon involved in laparoscopic education. All the students were asked to record another practice session. The self-reported performances from the session immediately before the OS (pre-OS) and the session immediately after the OS (post-OS) were compared with the performance in the OS. A total of 36 students were included in this study. The mean time and mean error were similar between all the sessions. Although the scores in the OS did slightly differ from the scores in the pre-OS and post-OS, post hoc analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the OS score and either the pre-OS or the post-OS score for any of the laparoscopic exercises. No differences between observed scores and self-reported scores were noted. The use of self-reported scores may be a good method for monitoring performance during training in laparoscopic basic skills. The self-reporting of basic laparoscopic exercises may conserve resources.

Water Treatment and Equipment Decontamination Techniques

Journal of Contemporary Water Research & EducationVolume 129, Issue 1 p. 18-21 Free Access Water Treatment and Equipment Decontamination Techniques Kim R. Fox, Kim R. Fox National Homeland Security Research Center U. S. Environmental Protection AgencySearch for more papers by this author Kim R. Fox, Kim R. Fox National Homeland Security Research Center U. S. Environmental Protection AgencySearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 May 2009 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1936-704X.2004.mp129001005.xCitations: 4AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat References American Water Works Association (AWWA). 1999. Water Quality & Treatment. Denver, Colorado: American Water Works Association. American Water Works Association Research Foundation. 2003. Establishing Site-Specific Flushing Velocities. Denver, Colorado: American Water Works Association. American Water Works Association Research Foundation. 2003b. Investigation of Pipe Cleaning Methods. Denver, Colorado: American Water Works Association. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 2003. Emergency Preparedness & Response. Atlanta, Georgia: Center for Disease Control. States, S., et al. 2003. Utility-based Analytical Methods to Ensure Public Water Supply Security. Journal American Water Works Association 95(4): 103– 115. Citing Literature Volume129, Issue1October 2004Pages 18-21 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Pipe cleaner brush for "curettage" of perianal fistulas.

Pipe cleaner brush for "curettage" of perianal fistulas.

Modeling Protein Folding & Applying It to a Relevant Activity

B) onding, folding, and structure of proteins have always been difficult for students to understand. To truly understand these processes, students must bring together concepts of what happens in translation, peptide bonding, hydrogen bonding, disulfide bonding, helices, plaited sheets, and how resulting shapes relate to function. While the textbooks that we use (Campbell & Reece, 2002; Solomon et al., 2002) provide beautiful diagrams of each of these stages, we have found that allowing students to construct simple pipe cleaner (chenille stems) models of the amino acids enhances their understanding of protein structure and folding. We then use a similar model with paper towel rollers to illustrate why using curlers helps to change threedimensional hair structure. This is a common example used in several textbooks (Audesirk et. al., 2002; Starr, 2000; Starr & Taggart, 2001). After completing these activities in the classroom or laboratory, we have found that students have a better understanding of protein structure and how protein folding produces physical structures in organisms.

YOUNG CHILDREN'S THEORIES OF MIND ABOUT EMPATHIC AND SELFISH MOTIVES

Young children's prosocial behaviors may be motivated by empathy. Forty-one 36–66 month-old children were actively involved with a pipe cleaner figurine play scenario. One figurine appeared distressed at an alarm sound. The other figurines simultaneously terminated the alarm, expressing either empathic or selfish motives. Twenty-four participants (58.5%) correctly pointed at the empathic and selfish figurines, and correctly restated their motives. Of these, 50% (12) consistently predicted empathic or selfish figurines' motives and actions in 3 other situations. Linear regression analyses indicated children’s theories of mind about others' selfish and empathic motives predicted preferences for snack sharing with the empathic figurine (R2 = .690, p < .001) and empathically helping a friend in distress (R2 = .702, p < .001).

Methods of smoking crack as a potential risk factor for HIV infection: crack smokers’ perceptions and behavior

Research has demonstrated important linkages between crack smoking and HIV/AIDS, especially through increased risk of sexual transmission. Among HIV prevention interventionists and researchers there has been considerable speculation regarding the potential for HIV transmission through the sharing of crack pipes or stems contaminated with blood from smokers' cut and burned lips, or from oral sex performed by crack users with injured lips.' We previously found that some crack users also believe that the way crack is smoked may increase the probability of lip injuries and HIV transmission through exposure to blood on shared crack-smoking equipment (Porter and Bonilla, 1993). Although epidemiological investigation has not yet documented the relationship between injuries to the mouth caused by smoking crack and the transmission of HIV infection, there is a theoretical possibility for transmission of HIV through exposure to blood and semen on injured lips, though it is not clear how great this risk may be. There is also the possibility that lip injuries and sharing of crack stems might transmit other bacterial and viral infections. In this exploratory study we systematically address crack smokers' evaluation of their risk of acquiring HIV from injured lips. We also investigate the prevalence of these behaviors perceived as possible risk factors for HIV infection-specifically, the relationship between the way crack is smoked and the extent of lip injuries; the relationship of lip injuries to the sharing of crack pipes and unprotected oral sex; and the demographic variables associated with crack-smoking practices that might potentially place the user at risk for the transmission of HIV or other diseases. The use of crack cocaine has increased dramatically since 1986 (Abramowitz et al., 1990; Mieczkowski, 1990). In Philadelphia, Pa., the city we utilized for our research, there has been an epidemic of crack cocaine use; cocaine is the primary drug of abuse by individuals who enter drug treatment, accounting for 61% of treatment admissions, and crack-smoking among clients of city treatment programs rose dramatically from 1987 to the 1990s (City of Philadelphia, 1992). Crack cocaine is a powerful and rapidly acting drug with a fleeting rush, typically 15 minutes or less. Unlike heroin, crack use does not have any inherent physical limitation on the extent of daily dosage. The short duration of the high results in repeated consumption, sometimes 30-40 doses or more in a 24-hour period. Repeated consumption is also precipitated by the need to escape the downward crash after the initial rush. The stimulant quality of cocaine results in extensive periods of sleep deprivation, making crack users prone to binge for several days at a time (Mieczkowski, 1990; Waldorf et al., 1991). Crack can be smoked in either a crack pipe or a (pipette or tube); a crack-smoking device may also be referred to as a stem. The of crack is placed on a screen or filter and vaporized with heat, and the vapors are drawn through the filter. When a straight shooter is utilized, the pipette is held vertically to balance the rock on the filter, which is often brass wool wadded into a ball and inserted in the end of the pipette. Although glass is the most common material for pipes or stems, there is increasing use of metal pipettes or stems, including car antennas, as devices with which to smoke (Waldorf et al., 1991). Crack is sold in vials or caps in Philadelphia, generally costing $5.00 for two caps. After running out of money for crack, smokers can continue getting high by scraping resin off the side of the stem, where it accumulates during the process of smoking crack, and reheating it on the screen (Ratner, 1993). Typically this is accomplished by using an umbrella strut as a pipe cleaner, often chipping the glass ends and leaving a sharp surface (Curtis, 1994). Several studies indicate that there is an epidemiological connection between crack-cocaine addiction and HIV infection (Inciardi et al. …

Technology Tips: Using Technology to Introduce Radian Measure

Each year, at the beginning of the trigonometry unit, many mathematics teachers are faced with the challenge of effectively introducing the concept of radian measure. One approach is to use manipulatives to explain how many radii fit around a circle. Students can cut a pipe cleaner so that it has the same length as the radius of an arbitrary circle and then find how many of these same-length sections fit around the circle. This idea led us to the following classroom-related activity that accomplishes, in a similar fashion, the same result. The technology used for this activity is the Cabri Geometry II software (Bellemain and Laborde 1995) for the computer or the built-in geometry software based on Cabri Geometry II that is found in the TI-92 advanced graphing calculator.

Comparison of Techniques for Inoculating Maize Silk, Kernel, and Cob Tissues withFusarium graminearum

Six inoculation techniques differing in the method of application of a conidial suspension and in the part of the ear inoculated were evaluated for their effectiveness in assessing maize (Zea mays) resistance to ear rot caused by Fusarium graminearum. Silk channel injection and ear-tip flooding inoculation techniques were carried out 7 days after silk emergence. The other four techniques (wound-spray, kernel-stab, pipe cleaner, and cob-tip) were carried out 15 days after silk emergence. A 7-class rating scale was used to assess disease severity at harvest. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in incidence and severity of ear rot symptoms were detected among the inbred lines and inoculation techniques. There were significant inbred x inoculation technique interactions, but inoculation techniques intended to measure the same resistance mechanism ranked inbred lines similarly in three of the four environments. All inoculation techniques except the ear-tip flooding technique identified CO325 as the most resistant inbred. Among the techniques used, the silk channel and the kernel-stab techniques appeared to be the most effective in measuring silk and kernel resistance, respectively.

Clean-in-place systems for industrial bioreactors: Design, validation and operation

Guidelines for design, validation and operation of clean-in-place systems for industrial fermentation plant are presented. Design of vessels, surface finishes, materials of construction, types and locations of valves are some of the considerations addressed. Requisite levels of turbulence for cleaning of pipes and vessels are discussed as well as typical cleaning sequences. Recommendations for validation of cleaning are presented and the significance of design of cleaning systems in ensuring satisfactory validation is pointed out. To the extent possible, validation of cleaning should be carried out with real process soil or soil closely simulating actual fermentation broths.

Do Perfused Small Caliber Airways of Guinea-pig Release an Epithelium-dependent Relaxing Factor?

Summary: The influence of epithelium removal on the effects of contractile substances on airway responsiveness was investigated on the guinea-pig perfused bronchioles. A gentle rubbing of the luminal surface with a pipe cleaner significantly shifted to the left the concentration-response curves evoked by histamine (3 × 10 -12-10 -4 M) and acetylcholine (10 -9-10 -3 M) and decreased the relaxation response to fenoterol (10 -12-2 × 10 -5 M). In contrast, removal of epithelium did not alter the responses to K + (4.7 × 10 -3-1.2 × 10 -1 M), theophylline (10 -8-10 -2 M), sodium nitroprusside (4 x 10 -10-4 × 10 -5 M) or papaverine (10 -4 M). In intact preparations treated with indomethacin (10 -5 M), histamine and acetylcholine induced contractions similar to that produced by rubbed tissues whereas relaxation induced by fenoterol was not modified. 10 -5 M tranylcypromine (inhibitor of prostacyclin synthesis) or 10 -6 M L-NAME (N G Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester, a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor) did not alter any concentration-response curves. Whereas prostaglandin E 2 had no effect, prostaglandin E 1 (10 -12-10 -5 M) induced concentration-dependent relaxation, indicating that this prostanoid could be an epithelium-derived relaxing factor. These results suggest that epithelium of small caliber airways could release a cyclooxygenase product, namely a prostanoid, involved in the epithelium-dependent modulation in response to contractile drugs.

Characterization of radioactive petroleum piping scale with an evaluation of subsequent land contamination.

Scale formation in oilfield piping and equipment has been a problem for petroleum companies. In the past, scale waste from cleaning of piping and equipment has been considered nonhazardous. Naturally occurring radioactive material in the form of 226Ra and, to a lesser degree, 228Ra with their associated decay products have recently been discovered in the scale. Due to the lower abundance and short half-life, 228Ra is not addressed in this paper. 226Ra, an alpha emitter, is a potential internal hazard to workers from the inhalation and ingestion of the dust produced during descaling or pipe cleaning operations. Along with this, a higher-than-normal background gamma exposure rate is seen where the pipe cleaning was routinely done. An evaluation of the radiation hazards associated with a retired pipe cleaning field was performed. Gamma exposure rates, 226Ra concentration, and 226Ra leachability were examined using scale containing soil from the field. Radon emanation from the soil was also determined.

The development of hybridization techniques forBanksia menziesiifor cut flower production

SummaryTechniques for controlled hand pollination of Banksia were developed using the cut flower species B. menziesii. Florets of known age were identified by removing all open florets and bagging the inflorescence for 24 h. After this period all unopened florets were removed, leaving a ring of 14—23 florets which had undergone anthesis. Self-pollen was removed by moving a looped, synthetic pipe cleaner over the pollen presenter segment of the style. Pollen transfer was achieved by rubbing a pollen-laden pollen presenter from the designated male parent over the stigmatic region of the recipient pistil. Peak stigma receptivity was recorded at three days post-anthesis by observing pollen germination with fluorescence microscopy, and by scanning electron microscopy of changes in the width of the stigmatic groove. Pollen tubes reached the base of the style six days after pollination at peak receptivity, and subsequently 11.1% of the hand pollinated florets set follicles. This was considerably higher than the ...

Development in children's representations of transformations and movements

This study tested the hypothesis that fourth-grade children tend more than first-grade children to represent transformations as ordered series of beginning, middle, and end states. On 15 different tasks, children were presented an object state constructed by the experimenter (e.g., a ball of clay or a pipe cleaner bent in the shape of an arc) and told to construct one or two other object states that “go best with” the experimenter's state(s). These instructions allowed children to choose the basis upon which to relate their states to the experimenters'. Fourth-graders predominantly constructed states that were components of continuous movements or transformations, whereas first-graders predominantly constructed states that related to the experimenters' on the basis of figural features. In a second phase of the procedure, we re-presented the states made by children and asked them to reconstruct the associated experimenter-constructed states from memory. As predicted, memory was better for children who spontaneously integrated states in transformations or movements than for children who related states on the basis of perceptual features. The results were discussed in relation to similar findings in other cognitive domains.

Predicting Costs of Pipe Cleaning and Lining Projects

Cleaning and cement‐mortar lining of water mains is the method of choice for many water utilities seeking to restore lost carrying capacity to their old pipes. In order to make good decisions concerning whether to clean and line a main, as opposed to replacing it, paralleling it, or leaving it alone, it is important to he able to quickly, yet accurately, estimate the costs of a cleaning and lining project. This paper gives a procedure for estimating the costs of cleaning and lining water mains. The costs predicted using the procedure described in this paper were compared with actual costs from 51 projects and were found to be within an average of 16% of the actual costs, even though a large variety of projects were considered.

Tool to Clean Encrusted Pipe

This month's “Gimmicks and Gadgets” presents a tool for cleaning encrusted pipe. The pipe cleaner consists of 19 mm pipe of any length with a steel scraper welded to one end. The scraper, made from 19 mm thick steel plate, is approximately 120 mm long and 75 mm high. The scraper is angled on the pipe to facilitate cleaning. The pipe cleaner is inserted into the pipe to be cleaned and the scale deposits are broken up with the scraper. The pipe is then flushed to remove the loose deposits.

Pipe cleaner races

Pipe cleaner races

Overlap in Foods and Foraging of Four Species of Blackbirds in the Potholes of Central Washington

Overlap in foods and foraging of four species of breeding blackbirds in the Potholes of central Washington was estimated from samples of food delivered to the nestings obtained by the pipe—cleaner technique. Prey distribution and availability were sampled with emergence traps for aquatic species and by sweeping with a standard insect net for upland species. Overlap was estimated by the probability than an item of food drawn randomly from the diet of one species would be of the same prey category taken from the same habitat as an item drawn at random from the diet of another species. Because of the diurnal cycle of emergence of aquatic insects, overlaps were calculated for three periods of the day (preemergence, emergence and postemergence) and averaged for the final overlap value. The overall food overlap for three of the species is high for all periods of the day and there is little evidence for differential specialization within habitats. Habitat overlaps, however, are varied, being highest during the emergence period for Redwings and Yellowheads but highest during the afternoon between Redwings and Brewers. The total overlap values are very similar to the theoretical maximum values derived from competition theory by MacArthur and Levins.