Process Aids Research Articles

Effect of Crosslink Density on Cut and Chip Resistance of 100% SBR Based Tire Tread Compound

The effect of Crosslink density on Cut and Chip resistance was affected on a typical 100 percent styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)-based tire tread compound. In order to successfully develop products for tires used in off-road or poor roads and other demanding rubber applications, it is important to understand the C and C effect in rubber. Crosslink density varied by varying the sulphur to the accelerator ratio and also by changing the process aids. Basic polymer, filler and other ingredients such as activators and anti-degradants have remained unchanged. In the first setup, the sulphur was kept constant and the accelerator varied and the reverse was done in the second setup. It was made to achieve different crosslink density by changing the oil dosage and adding different resins. An attempt has been made to correlate Cut and Chip resistance to other physical properties. All these tests have been identified and optimized by the traditional tire tread compound.

Vermicomposting: A management tool to mitigate solid waste.

Solid waste management is a serious ecological problem in Saudi Arabia due to rapid industrialization, population growth and urbanization. Recycling and sorting are in their infancy in Saudi Arabia and huge amounts of mixed household and industrial wastes are still dumped without any pre-treatment. Solid waste management techniques such as incineration, pyrolysis and gasification have high investment costs. Composting and vermicomposting of solid organic waste have been considered as an economically viable and sustainable waste management technologies. However, wastes often contain pollutants, such as heavy metals that are toxic to decomposer micro-organisms. Thus, heavy metals are a challenge for the successful biological treatments. Waste may also contain a mixture of organic pollutants that certain microbes, such as micro-algae are known to degrade. The present review paper focuses on understanding the role of vermicomposting as a management tool in mitigating solid organic wastes. It is noteworthy to mention that the microbes also play a pivotal role in the degradation process, wherein the enzymes secreted during the process aid in decomposition of complex molecules into simpler compounds. Also, the extracellular polymeric substance secreted by the earthworm under metal stress serves a source of nutrient for the bacteria to flourish. Henceforth the goal of discussion in present review shows the way forward in using vermicomposting as a novel approach in dealing with solid organic waste.

Exploring the use of operational excellence methodologies in the era of COVID-19: perspectives from leading academics and practitioners

PurposeThis paper aims to present the results of a study carried out by the authors in the form of research interviews on the topic: “Exploring the use of operational excellence methodologies in the era of COVID-19.”Design/methodology/approachA qualitative interview approach was utilized by interviewing a panel of leading academics and practitioners who are familiar with operation excellence methodologies.FindingsOperational excellence methodologies are proven and can be utilized in pandemic situations to improve efficiency in the healthcare system and preparedness for pandemics.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation of this research was that most of the interviewees who participated in this study came from Europe, North America, South America and Asia, representing four continents. It would have been better to have different views from other continents such as Australia and Africa. Also, the interviews were short and at a high level. There is an opportunity for further study and analysis.Practical implicationsOperational excellence methodologies are proven and can be utilized in pandemic situations to improve efficiency in the healthcare system and preparedness for pandemics.Originality/valueThe paper provides an excellent resource for those people to get an insight into the value of the application of operations excellence methodologies in pandemic situations to aid healthcare process improvement and aid public and patient safety.

Multi-faceted strategies improve collection compliance and sample acceptance rate for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) active surveillance testing

Active surveillance testing (AST) is one element of a comprehensive Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) prevention strategy. However, the utility of AST may be impacted by compliance with sample collection and the quality of specimens. Here, we describe strategies used to optimize a CRE AST program at a large academic medical center. Tests ordered, collected, rejected, and processed were tracked weekly for each participating unit. Sample collection compliance and acceptance rates were calculated and tracked weekly. Strategies were implemented to improve collection compliance and sample acceptance rates, including computerized provider order entry, printed educational materials, and audit and feedback. Weekly dedicated Infection Preventionist (IP) time was estimated. Over 35 months, mean collection compliance increased from 82.7% to 91.2%, and then decreased to 86.2%. Over 27 months, sample acceptance rate increased from 57.7% to 83.6%, and then remained stable at 83.4%. Over 39 months, dedicated weekly IP time decreased 92%. Use of evidence-based quality improvement strategies optimized our CRE AST program. Optimizing the AST process aids in early CRE detection, leading to timely isolation and preventing the spread of CRE to other patients. Other hospitals may benefit from these lessons and enhance local AST programs.

Improving medical communication process using recurrent networks and wearable antenna s11 variation with harmonic suppressions

In medical applications, most of the patients are remotely monitored to eliminate the risk of being infected from the healthcare facilities. The process of remotely monitoring patients involves placing several body sensor networks on the patient’s body to collect their health details. The collected information is transmitted via the wireless communication process that must be of a high quality. Hence, this paper investigated antenna S11 variation (AS11V) with harmonic suppression to improve the communication process in medical applications. In this research, the antenna was placed on a 2- to 4-mm thickness belt, 15 to 300 mm body thickness, and 40 to 50 dielectric constants. In addition, 3-short pin resonators were used in the harmonic suppression process aid in reducing the unnecessary harmonics in the communication process. Optimized recurrent neural networks (ORNN) were then used to process the wearable antenna–based collected devices. This in return helped in determining how effectively the gathered data helps in the medical analysis. The efficiency of the wireless antenna–based communication process was then evaluated using simulation results, and the ORNN approach showed 99.17% accuracy using the collected and validated data.

Evaluating the efficacy of a newly developed palm-based process aid on nitrile rubber composites

The exploration of bio-based process aid is still ongoing in the effort to replace petroleum-based process oil. In this study, the efficacy of a newly developed palm-based process aid (Bio) on nitrile rubber (NBR) composites was investigated by varying its concentration from 0.0 to 10.0 phr. A comparison was made against a commercial oil (CO), i.e. naphthenic oil in terms of Mooney viscosity, cure characteristics, morphology, physical, and chemical properties. Results revealed that the use of Bio as process aid improves the processability of rubber by lowering the Mooney viscosity, enhancing filler dispersion, and lowering loss tangent values. Tensile properties and compression sets of CO-NBR composites were slightly better compared to Bio-NBR composites. Interestingly, Bio-NBR composites showed better ageing properties, especially at higher process aid content. Higher retentions of tensile strength and elongation at break and lower compression sets of aged Bio-NBR compared to CO-NBR composites were observed, which are possibly contributed by the good compatibility of Bio with aged rubber. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the thermal stability of Bio-NBR composites were slightly better than CO-NBR composites. Based on these findings, the use of Bio (≥ 7.5 phr) as process aid significantly improved the processability of rubber with some enhancement in ageing properties of composites that is desirable and ideal for various applications such as for the production of automotive components.

Algorithm Development for Automotive Planning Process Aids

Algorithm Development for Automotive Planning Process Aids

A simple and economical ultrasound-assisted method for Cd and Pb extraction from fruits and vegetables for food safety assurance

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) methods for food analysis are recognized as being in accordance with the principles of green analytical chemistry (GAC). Reference standard methods generally use microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for sample digestion; however, the use of ultrasonication processes has many advantages. Herein, a simple, and economical method for the determination of Cd and Pb in fruits and vegetables for food safety monitoring is reported. This method was optimized using a standard reference material (SRM, spinach leaves) through a multivariate experimental design (optimal conditions: 0.5 g of sample, 15 min of sonication, and 20.00 mL of 2.5 mol L−1 HNO3) and subsequently validated. The limits of detection obtained were one or two orders of magnitude lower than those achieved with MAE, making this a promising technique for contaminants monitoring. The UAE method was then tested on vegetable samples (apples, carrots, tomatoes, and lettuce) obtained from commercial sources in Uruguay and a comparison was made with samples treated by MAE. Both processes yielded comparable results, and the levels of Cd and Pb in all samples were below the maximum allowed concentration (MAC) established by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, to provide insight into the mechanism by which the ultrasonic process aids extraction, confocal optical images of the surface of the SRM were obtained. The leaves were examined after treatment at different sonication times (5–20 min). The confocal microscopy images show the effects of the ultrasonic treatment on the plant tissue, including desaturation, erosion, and abrasion, which increased with increasing sonication time. In conclusion, the UAE method meets and overcome the requirements of a standard method for food safety assurance.

Vorgehen beim Verdacht auf Gebäudeschadstoffbelastungen an rheinland-pfälzischen Schulen – Prozesshilfe für Schulleitungen und Schulträger

Procedure in the event of suspected exposure to building pollutants in schools in Rhineland-Palatinate: Process aid for school administrations and school boards Aim: The Institute for Teacher Health (IfL) has been dealing with suspected building pollutants in schools since its foundation in 2011. Dealing with pollutant problems is not an everyday situation for schools. After handling some complicated cases and regularly repeated enquiries, the IfL developed a process aid regarding the procedure in the event of suspected exposure to building pollutants in schools, which was communicated to all school administrations, school boards and supervisors in Rhineland-Palatinate (RLP) in November 2019. The process aid is intended to help decision-makers to adopt an efficient and solution-oriented approach. The aim is to support school decision-makers by providing them with professional expertise from the time when the suspicion of a pollutant arises. Group and Method: Out of 589 enquiries received by the IfL in relation to occupational safety during the period 2012/13 - 2017/18, 68 (11.5%) concerned building pollutants. Enquiries about building pollutants were the third most frequent reason for seeking advice during the period specified. These enquiries were subjected to an analysis of experience. The above-mentioned process aid was subsequently developed in cooperation with six other institutions, including Unfallkasse RLP and the Ministry of Education RLP. Results: The experience analysis showed that the IfL was often only involved in the school clarification process at a late stage. The following challenges arose repeatedly on the part of school administrations and school boards: technical complexity and lack of expertise, dealing with increasing emotionality and goal-oriented design of crisis communication. Conclusions: Negative factors can be mitigated by involving professional support at an earlier stage: less emotionality in dealing with the situation, avoidance of measurements that are not goal-oriented, cost reduction and better crisis communication. Acceptance on the part of the schools is to be expected; the increasing number of enquiries in the 2018/19 school year signals a need for support. Keywords: pollutants – crisis communication – schools – indoor air – polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)

Designing for experiences: a meta-ethnographic synthesis

ABSTRACT Experiences are at the core of tourism and hospitality. Understanding how to design, manage and measure such experiences has become a key topic in academic literature focused on this sector. This paper presents the characteristics of an optimal design process model for experiences, based on the results of a meta-ethnographic synthesis of such processes. The characteristics can be seen as critical success factors in delivering the right solution to the right problem efficiently and effectively. Depending on the context, starting level and aim of the design, designers can benefit from applying several different design processes. Such a process benefits from design capabilities developed in multi-disciplinary teams. Moreover, the design process aids design teams through steering the collection of explicit and tacit knowledge on problem and solution aspects with stakeholders in a specific order. The success of a design process depends on procedural knowledge of lead designers and their ability to orchestrate and integrate contributions from various disciplines and stakeholders at the right times. Existing design processes for tourism and hospitality experiences lack maturity and flexibility, resulting in them having poor structural validity. However these processes, with insights from design science, can form a base for further theoretical development.

Reform and policymaking: Theory and practice in the Irish housing context

Abstract It is often a crisis that is the necessary catalyst for change, and the financial crash provided the stimulus for the recent raft of public sector reforms since 2010. A new decade provides an opportunity to assess the reforms, and to question where the reform around housing sits in relation to theoretical approaches to the policy process. The Irish public policy process is the result of a historical mix of ideological and cultural practice, social policy and political process, and it is this complexity which provides its uniqueness. However, theories of the policy process aid effective analysis of policy landscapes, and the use of elements from a range of approaches enables a fuller understanding of that complexity. By offering a theoretical perspective, and providing the reader with a different outlook, we explore the drivers for, and outcomes of, change in the Irish housing context. We find that the reform agenda is itself a means of maintaining the current, as it is unlikely that the reforms implemented since 2010 will address the structural flaws evident in the housing crisis. Instead, a more likely outcome is that the reforms are a necessary change so as to maintain the status quo.

In Silico Molecular Docking of Bioactive Molecules Isolated from Raphia taedigera Seed Oil as Potential Anti-cancer Agents Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2

The role of angiogenesis in cancer pathophysiology cannot be over emphasized as this process aids tumor metastasis via nourishment of nutrient deprived tumors with oxygen and nutrients. Thus, it is pertinent to inhibit this process via the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). Most available anticancer drugs that targets VEGFR-2 exerts promising angiogenic effects but they bare several adverse effects. Hence, the need to uncover novel compounds from plants with less or no toxicity that have high efficacy targeting angiogenesis. In this present work, in silico docking studies was employed to reveal the potentials of bioactive compounds isolated from Raphia taedigera seed oil against VEGFR-2 using axitinib and sorafenib as control. The crystal structure of VEGFR-2 and the compounds were retrieved from protein database and pubchem servers respectively. The compounds were subjected to drug likeness and ADMET screening using Discovery studio 2016 and AdmetSAR server respectively. The docking between the compounds and VEGFR-2 was carried out with the aid of AutoDock Vina and visualization of the molecular interactions were done using PyMOL, LigPlot+ and Protein–ligand interactions profiler’s server. The results showed that 3-Methoxy-2,3-dimethylundec-1-ene scaled through the drug likeness screening. All the compounds show good binding affinities with 4,4,6a,6b,8a,11,11,14b-Octamethyl-1,4,4a,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,8a,9,10,11,12,12a,14,14a,14b-octadecahydro-2H-picen-3-one having the best binding affinity of -8.9 kcal/mol. The ADMET prediction shows that these compounds are safer than the controls. Conclusively, the in silico study suggests that these compounds could prove to be probable anti-cancer agents but a further study is needed.

Particulate matter exposure at a densely populated urban traffic intersection and crosswalk.

Exposure to elevated particulate matter (PM) pollution is of great concern to both the general public and air quality management agencies. At urban traffic intersections, for example, pedestrians are often at a higher risk of exposure to near-source PM pollution from traffic while waiting on the roadside or while walking in the crosswalk. This study offers an in-depth investigation of pedestrian exposure to PM pollution at an urban traffic intersection. Fixed-site measurements near an urban intersection were conducted to examine the variations in particles of various sizes through traffic signal cycles. This process aids in the identification of major PM dispersion patterns on the roadside. In addition, mobile measurements of pedestrian exposure to PM were conducted across six time intervals that correspond to different segments of a pedestrian's journey when passing through the intersection. Measurement results are used to estimate and compare the cumulative deposited doses of PM by size categories and journey segments for pedestrians at an intersection. Furthermore, comparisons of pedestrian exposure to PM on a sunny day and a cloudy day were analyzed. The results indicate the importance of reducing PM pollution at intersections and provide policymakers with a foundation for possible measures to reduce pedestrian PM exposure at urban traffic intersections.

Improving Effective Preventative Care Within an Urban Working Population.

To assess whether standardized screening and service navigation improve access to primary care in low wage workers. Four rapid plan-do-study-act cycles were conducted over an 8-week period. Each cycle consisted of four core interventions. Data were collected every 2 to 3 days, then analyzed on run charts and aggregate data tables. Effective care was achieved by increasing the percentage of patients with a primary care provider from 52% to 79%. Patients' perception of health increased from 3.6 to 4.4 and team communication and support score increased from 3.9 to 4.2 on a 5-point Likert scale. Patient engagement and a standardized referral process aids in the establishment of routine, effective care. Application of "smart phrases" in electronic health records provides sustainability for use in other occupational medicine practices.

Using knowledge exchange between prosumers and enterprises to implement circular economy activities in businesses

The prosumer engagement conceptual model was considered in light of the Process Classification Framework and how results from Poland and United Kingdom (UK) survey data informed design of the combined prosumer engagement and knowledge exchange conceptual model. The desk literature method was used to review the papers in answering the research propositions. The revised model contains the constructs for supporting prosumer engagement to include sustainability and describes the flow of knowledge sharing and knowledge exchange. Knowledge exchange is the method used to capture and improve enterprise analysis of prosumer knowledge sharing. The sustainability construct includes circular economy philosophy where enterprises evaluate their product and service designs in terms of process stages. The findings confirm the need for increased prosumer engagement as enterprises strive to adopt ways of limiting negative impacts on the environment and improving ethical and responsible business practices. The circular economy is having an impact on all industrial sectors requiring them to evaluate and rethink their processes. The enhancement of the role of prosumers in the circular economy could act as a positive driver for business process changes and aid enterprises in meeting carbon neutral plans. The main contribution of this paper is to offer a novel concept that explains how enterprises can capture and translate prosumer knowledge to inform business strategy within a circular economy setting.

Study Literature of Extraction Lipid Method from Microalgae Nannochloropsis sp

Biodiesel is a promising alternative fuel obtained from plant oils and animal fats through the esterification process with alcohol. Lipid microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. can be used as raw material for the production of biodiesel or biofuel with oil content in the microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. as much as 21.3 - 32.7% so, it has the potential to be used as a raw material in making biodiesel. Biodiesel produced from microalgae biomass is the most suitable alternative fuel for the future and environmentally friendly fuel. In microalgae lipid extraction, Nannnochloropsis sp. using several process aids such as autoclave, microwave, and soxhlet. Different types of solvents are used to determine the% yield of lipids present in microalgae. Extraction was carried out to compare the extraction method using autoclave, microwave, and soxhlet to obtain the best method that produced the most substantial % lipid. An autoclave obtained the most abundant lipid yield with n-hexane solvent with a ratio of 3: 1 solvent and algal oil. Thus, this review describes the lipid extraction of the microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. with various extraction aids and different solvent types related to lipid production over the past few years.

Pemodelan Manajemen Proyek Rekayasa Dolly Kitting Sebagai Alat Bantu Feeding Material di Jalur Produksi Perakitan Mobil

The development of the Indonesian Automotive Industry in 2019 is expected to remain significant, this is shown from the sales of various brand vehicles in Indonesia which experienced an increase in 2018. To meet existing market demand, automotive companies need additional new investment in the form of various production equipment to anticipate schedules planned production. One type of production aids needed in car assembly lines is Rack, Tolley, Box (RTB) and Dolly Kitting. The demand for production aids is a real market opportunity, and this must be utilized by the local industry to take part in the development of the national automotive industry by supporting all of the automotive industries from all lines, one of which is in the process of providing RTB as a process aid production. PT ABC as one of the local producers of RTB providers, Dolly Kitting, seeks to seize this opportunity by implementing GMP. The methodology used is an engineering project management approach based on the principle of good manufacturing practices (GMP). From the model created, a product development engineering model can be prepared to deliver the product to the customer. Model conformity verification is carried out at various critical manufacturing points including product development, prototyping, production process preparation (3P) and ending with validation on the production floor through commercial prototypes before the product is released for commercial purposes as a method of maintaining product QCD.
 Keywords: Dolly Kitting, Project Management, QCD.

A novel fault classification‐based fault‐tolerant control for two degree of freedom helicopter systems

SummaryFault detection and diagnosis (FDD) plays an essential role in identifying and isolating various faults in a system. In general, fault detection is attained by monitoring the extent of matching between the actual operating condition and an analytical model prediction. This process aids in achieving enhanced performance, and for operating the system within the acceptable bounds. In this article, a neural network‐based classification method and fuzzy‐based control strategy are adapted to perform FDD on a two degree of freedom (2DoF) helicopter system. The operating voltage, pitch, and yaw outputs of the 2DoF helicopter system were considered for developing the algorithm. The signal processing properties of the discrete wavelet transform and pattern recognition properties of a multilayer perceptron neural network are adapted to design the classification algorithm. The developed algorithm improves training and testing efficiency. In order to reinstate the normal operation of the system, the classifier output is integrated with a hybrid fuzzy‐proportional integral derivative controller. This control technique enhances the 2DoF helicopter response as the time taken by the pitch and yaw angle to settle trajectory is reduced. The results depicted validate the efficiency of the projected approach.

Talking about group (but not individual) process aids group performance

The discourse of small groups of 3–4 adults enrolled in a graduate business course was audio-recorded as they participated in a computer-supported simulation in which the group represented a firm and worked over a series of eight sessions in making a series of decisions. Discourse transcripts were analyzed using a coding scheme that classified utterances expressed during group interaction as types of topic-talk (constituting a part of the activity itself) vs. meta-talk (reflecting on the activity). Supporting our hypothesis regarding the importance of meta-level discourse about group process in a group’s achieving coordinated action and a successful outcome, analysis suggested that discourse about the group’s process, but not discourse about individuals’ actions, was associated with superior group outcomes.

Characterization of eco-friendly processing aids for styrene butadiene rubber composites with silica

With the development of environmentally friendly “green tires” in the tire industry, silica has been used as a reinforcing filler material in tread compounds. With regard to this rubber compounding process, non-toxic, and renewable processing aids are required. We fabricated such processing aids with multi-alcohol components of hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups (M-A-S) to make the hydrophilic silica compatible with the hydrophobic rubber matrix. The rubber composites with M-A-S showed remarkable enhancements in the mechanical properties, specifically the tensile strength, elongation and fatigue properties due to the improved dispersion of silica in the rubber matrix. They also exhibited outstanding heat build-up, good rebound resilience, and abrasion levels at low loadings. Furthermore, M-A-S were added directly to tread compounds to make a pneumatic tire with enhanced high-speed durability and enhanced dry and wet braking due to the strong interfacial interaction between the silica and the rubber matrix. These results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed potential replacement for metal-ion processing aids for tire engineering.