Quality Improvement Technology Research Articles

Enzymatic quality enhancement of oolong tea based on grade difference analysis

The quality of oolong tea in summer and autumn is generally lower than in spring, resulting in a loss of economic benefits. We found that this was due to the higher tea polyphenol content and lower sugar and amino acid content of summer and autumn oolong teas. Here, we used cellulase, protease and tannase for targeted enzymatic hydrolysis of low-quality teas to reduce the tea polyphenol content while increasing the soluble sugar and amino acid contents. By optimizing the ratio, concentration and treatment temperature of the added enzymes, the soluble sugar and amino acid contents of low- and middle- quality tea were increased by 6%-128% and 12%-88%, respectively. The ester catechin content was reduced by 12% and the total catechin content was reduced by 41%. The aroma of middle- and low-quality tea was transformed into the characteristics of high-quality tea. Therefore, directed enzymatic degradation is a promising technology for tea quality improvement.

Developing competency of nursing students in cardiopulmonary resuscitation using Resuscitation Quality Improvement technology.

This study examined the outcomes of training nursing students in CPR skills using the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) program. Nursing students (n=2,193) in 12 schools across the United States participated in this study. Students performed compressions and bag-masked ventilation on adult and infant manikins using the RQI simulation station without and then with feedback on their performance. With real-time, objective feedback from the RQI simulation station, students' performance of CPR skills improved, and they retained their skills over time. The RQI program and methodology of feedback is effective for training nursing students to be competent in CPR skills, essential for safe patient care. Nursing and other healthcare professions programs should consider adopting the RQI program for students to develop competency in CPR.

Psyllium husk gel used as an alternative and more sustainable scalding technology for wheat bread quality improvement and acrylamide reduction.

This study aimed at evaluating the influence of different amounts (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25%) of psyllium husk gel (PHG) on wheat bread (WB) characteristics - chiefly, overall acceptability (OA), porosity, specific volume (v), mass loss after baking (ML), shape retention coefficient, crust and crumb color coordinates, bread crumb hardness during storage, saccharides content, and acrylamide (AA) concentration. PHG was prepared by mixing 100 g of psyllium husk powder with 800 mL of warm water. It was established that the amount of psyllium husk gel is a significant factor in dough redness (a*) (p < 0.001). A moderate positive correlation (r) was found between acrylamide content in wheat bread and maltose concentration in dough (r = 0.567). The psyllium husk gel increased the overall acceptability and specific volume of wheat bread. Wheat bread porosity showed a moderate positive correlation with mass loss after baking (r = 0.567) and a strong positive correlation with texture hardness (r = 0.664). Lower acrylamide content was obtained in wheat bread prepared with 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% of psyllium husk gel (1.53, 2.34, 3.80, 2.69, and 3.62 times lower than the control wheat bread, respectively). Acrylamide content showed a strong positive correlation with the porosity of wheat bread (r = 0.672), with crust brightness (L*), and yellowness/blueness (b*) coordinates, as well as with crumb brightness, redness, and yellowness coordinates. Overall, psyllium husk gel hydrocolloids reduced acrylamide formation in wheat bread and can be recommended for the quality improvement of wheat bread.

Response surface optimization and social impact evaluation of Houttuynia cordata Thunb solar drying technology for community enterprise in Chiangrai, Thailand

Drying has emerged as one of the most important ways of preserving high-quality and quantity food goods. A force convection solar drying is considered an ecologically and environmentally friendly alternative. This research presents parameter optimization of greenhouse tunnel dryer of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata) using response surface methodology with the assessment of economic feasibility and social return on invesment. The influence parameters of the drying process were evaluated to obtain maximum efficiency. The individual parameters were temperature (40 – 60 °C), material length (10 – 30 cm), and relative humidity (30 – 50%). The individual parameters of drying temperature showed an extreme effect on the response of moisture content and color value change, while the relative humidity had only an influence on moisture content. On the other hand, the parameter of material length was not significance in both responses. When compared to open-air drying, solar drying reduced the drying time of H. cordata by 57.14%. The payback period of the dryer was found to be 2.5 years. Furthermore, the results reveal that the social return on investment ratio in 2021 was 2.18, then increasing to 2.52 in 2022 and 2.91 in 2023. According to the findings, solar drying technology has the potential to be an adequate product quality improvement technology for H. cordata. It is a feasible drying technology in terms of economic evaluation.

Utilization of deep sea at 4000 and 6000 m depths for long-term storage and quality improvement of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) muscle

Long-term storage and quality maintenance of fresh fish are tremendously challenging. This study aimed to develop a novel technology for long-term storage and quality improvement of fresh fish by utilizing deep sea and to clarify its detailed mechanisms focusing on protein properties. Thus, deep-sea aging of greater amberjack muscle was performed at depths of 4000 and 6000 m for approximately 4 months. The total viable count of bacteria in the deep-sea-aged samples was significantly suppressed, especially at 6000 m. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis showed that the degradation of myosin heavy chain was accelerated in the deep-sea-aged samples. A significant increase in the content of free amino acids such as aspartic acid and serine, which relates to the enhancement of umami and sweet taste, was also observed in the deep-sea-aged samples. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated that protein conformational changes induced by deep-sea high pressure presumably increase the reactivity between protease and substrate in the fish sample, leading to enhanced proteolysis. Therefore, deep-sea aging contributes to improving the safety and quality of greater amberjack muscle during long-term storage. Consequently, this novel technology can be used to achieve the sustainable utilization of marine resources.

Implementation of IoT technology for quality improvement in an automotive industry

The purpose of this paper is to study the quality using the Internet of Things (IoT) tool. Industry 4.0 aims to develop the new smart factory by using technological developments such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Cloud Computing and Big Data. The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly changing the world in many ways. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a new wave of the Internet that is expected to change our lives. There are a large number of physical objects that can connect to the Internet, communicate with each other, and collect data to improve existing products and services. The Internet of Things is at the heart of digital transformation in the automotive sector. It connects people, machines, materials, vehicles, car parts and services to streamline the flow of data that enables real-time decisions and improves automotive experiences. Manufacturing is changing as a result of the Internet of Things (IoT), which is making facilities more productive, efficient, and intelligent. Total Quality Management (TQM), which is still among the most widely used management methods worldwide, has been used to achieve ongoing enhancements in organizational performance. A company sector's improved efficiency and quality improvements in processes as well as outputs are the same goals of an industry 4.0 application. A customized solution based on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is suggested, which makes a provision to feed the anticipated wire length in mm or cm and monitors the wire length coming out of the machine before it is chopped into piece. Computer vision should be available when evaluating the connections to guarantee that connections are only permitted if wires of the same color are coming from opposite directions. Otherwise, there would be no link. By removing the rejection of harnesses (19%), there is a verified considerable improvement in quality (21%) and productivity (15%) and a cost savings.

Analysis of Water-Lifting Aerator Performance Based on the Volume of Fluid Method

Water quality deterioration is a major problem faced by reservoirs globally, owing to the inflow of pollution from industrial and municipal activities. Water-lifting aeration is an in situ water quality improvement technology that mixes and oxygenates deep water bodies in reservoirs to improve pollution control efficiency and water quality. While previous studies have mainly focused on the mixing process in the reservoir outside the water-lifting aerator (WLA), knowledge of the internal flow remains limited. In this study, a two-phase flow within a WLA system was numerically studied using the volume of fluid (VOF) method to comprehensively analyze the internal two-phase flow characteristics and the influence on the water-lifting and oxygenation performance of the system. The statistical analysis results showed that increasing the aeration chamber volume enhanced the bottom oxygenation performance by 27% because of the prolonged time of the deflector plate outlet outflow. Additionally, increasing the air release rate enhanced the water-lifting performance by 47%, which was induced by the shortened air piston release period. This study demonstrates the internal flow mechanism of the WLA and provides technical support for parameter optimization design, which has significant scientific research and engineering application value.

Implementing caregiver management measures in general hospitals to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic.

To summarize the whole process management measures for caregivers of inpatients in a non-new coronavirus pneumonia designated hospital in China during the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic. The implementation of these measures is mainly to prevent the virus pandemic caused by crowd gathering. A quasi-experimental study. Novel coronavirus pneumonia prevention and control measures were implemented in the 'pre-hospital link, hospitalization link and discharge link' for the whole process of the hospitalized patients' caregivers. To evaluate the effects by time point inspection, the results were fed back using information technology for quality improvement. The results of three time point inspections indicated that the management quality of many projects improved continuously (p < 0.05). From January to June of 2021, 20 departments implemented a facial recognition information management system. The ratio of patients/caregivers admitted was 1:0.528~1:0.965; It was found that it is effective to implement the whole process management measures. The facial recognition system plays a key role in the comprehensive management of the caregivers.

Usability, acceptability and feasibility of a novel technology with visual guidance with video and audio recording during newborn resuscitation: a pilot study

ObjectiveInadequate adherence to resuscitation for non-crying infants will have poor outcome and thus rationalise a need for real-time guidance and quality improvement technology. This study assessed the usability, feasibility and...

The role of growth factors in human sperm parameters: A review of in vitro studies.

In vitro sperm preparation/incubation and cryopreservation are associated with oxidative stress as the main cause of sperm damage, and different strategies are used to improve sperm quality in in vitro conditions to treat male infertility. Growth factors (GFs) are biological molecules that play different roles in various cellular processes such as growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Many studies have shown that GFs and their receptors are expressed in the male reproductive system. In vitro supplementation of GFs to improve sperm parameters has yielded useful results. There are many studies on the effects of GFs on sperm quality improvement and subsequent assisted reproductive technology results. Hence, this study will review the in vitro results of various GFs including brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor I, and vascular endothelial growth factor to improve sperm quality.

Augmented Intelligence to Identify Patients With Advanced Heart Failure in an Integrated Health System

BackgroundTimely referral for specialist evaluation in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) is a Class 1 recommendation. However, the transition from stage C HF to advanced or stage D HF often goes undetected in routine care, resulting in delayed referral and higher mortality rates. ObjectivesThe authors sought to develop an augmented intelligence-enabled workflow using machine learning to identify patients with stage D HF and streamline referral. MethodsWe extracted data on HF patients with encounters from January 1, 2007, to November 30, 2020, from a HF registry within a regional, integrated health system. We created an ensemble machine learning model to predict stage C or stage D HF and integrated the results within the electronic health record. ResultsIn a retrospective data set of 14,846 patients, the model had a good positive predictive value (60%) and low sensitivity (25%) for identifying stage D HF in a 100-person, physician-reviewed, holdout test set. During prospective implementation of the workflow from April 1, 2021, to February 15, 2022, 416 patients were reviewed by a clinical coordinator, with agreement between the model and the coordinator in 50.3% of stage D predictions. Twenty-four patients have been scheduled for evaluation in a HF clinic, 4 patients started an evaluation for advanced therapies, and 1 patient received a left ventricular assist device. ConclusionsAn augmented intelligence-enabled workflow was integrated into clinical operations to identify patients with advanced HF. Endeavors such as this require a multidisciplinary team with experience in design thinking, informatics, quality improvement, operations, and health information technology, as well as dedicated resources to monitor and improve performance over time.

Optimal technology licensing contract with quality improvement innovation under Cournot competition

This paper analyzes the optimal licensing contract for the patentor with a quality improvement innovation in a Cournot duopoly market. We examine and compare three licensing contracts (fixed-fee licensing, royalty licensing, and two-part ad valorem licensing) in terms of the patent-holding firm’s profit, consumer surplus, and social welfare. We also study the impact of quality differences on the choice of licensing contract. One might expect that consumer surplus and social welfare are greater under fixed-fee licensing. However, we show that this conclusion seems to be untrue under quality improvement technology licensing. Moreover, we find that (1) there exists a threshold for the degree of quality difference above which fixed-fee licensing will be listed for the consideration of the patent-holding firm and below which it will be abandoned; (2) royalty licensing and two-part ad valorem licensing are always profitable for the patent-holding firm and two-part ad valorem licensing brings the patentee the most profit.

Soybean management for seed composition: The perspective of U.S. farmers

AbstractThe soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] compositional quality is mainly provided by the seed concentration of protein and oil. These traits are critical for sustaining global use, and although there is demand for high protein soybean, no mechanism to differentiate production is in place. At the opposite end of the supply chain, farmers are remunerated on a mass basis without having any incentive regarding seed composition. This study evaluated farmers' perspectives and knowledge on soybean quality and their propensity to adopt quality improvement technologies. Farmers from the main U.S. producing regions (n = 271) were investigated with a self‐administrated survey containing 21 questions during 2020 and 2021. Our results show that 84% are unaware of the current protein and oil levels from their own production. A small portion (1.4%) make management decisions (e.g., choice of genotypes or monitor quality) based on the implications on seed quality. However, practices already in place are likely to enhance the quality of seed, namely N nutrition (via rhizobia [12.9%] or fertilizer [5.9%]) and late‐season crop protection (17.1%). If farmers are financially rewarded by US$0.50 per bushel, a mindset change may occur. Based on these results, we concluded that shifts in the U.S. production system targeting protein or oil markets are possible, and the constraints are mainly related to on‐farm management. However, the challenges for improving the U.S. soybean competitiveness in global or niche markets also rely upon other segments of the production chain, specifically breeders, technology suppliers, and logistical structure.

Leveraging electronic documentation software to improve employment outcomes of job seekers with disabilities

BACKGROUND: Over the past decades, researchers have made tremendous progress in identifying standards of practice for supporting job seekers with disabilities achieve their career goals. However, little is known about the actual implementation of these standards, which may affect the quality of services, and thus put job seekers at a higher risk of not fully realizing their career goals. OBJECTIVE: To explore how electronic documentation software could be leveraged to monitor the implementation of national standards in employment supports for quality improvement. METHODS: A panel of three vendors of electronic documentation software shared their experiences at the 2021 Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) conference. RESULTS: Most employment programs use their electronic documentation software primarily for billing and compliance reporting. Lack of standard metrics and guidelines are a challenge to leverage technology for quality improvement. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for standard metrics and guidelines so employment programs can leverage technology for quality improvement of employment services and outcomes.

Research and Application of Supersaturated Dissolved Oxygen Technology Combined with Magnetization Technology in the Improvement of Water Quality: Taking the South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China as a Pilot Project

Supersaturated dissolved oxygen and magnetization (SDOXM) technology is a composite technology that combines supersaturated dissolved oxygen with water magnetization technologies. Compared with conventional water purification technology, the advantages introduced by such technology include obvious and efficient improvement in purified water quality without adding any chemicals, removing sludge and changing the original function of the river. In this study, taking the Middle-Route (MR) of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China (SNWDPC) as a pilot project, the effects of the SDOXM composite process on microbial activity, phytoplankton community structure, and removal efficiency of the main nutritional indexes in the canal of the MR were evaluated. Aiming at static and flowing water bodies, this study was divided into two parts: static and dynamic experiments (two groups: a group with artificial aquatic plants and another group without artificial aquatic plants). The performance of the SDOXM system was assessed by monitoring the organic matter removal as well as the relative light unit (RLU) of ATP, changes in the community structure of phytoplankton, and the effects of artificial aquatic plants as a biofilm carrier on organic matter removal and microbial activity. During the study period, SDOXM technology was able to increase the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water and maintained the state of supersaturation for more than three days. The removal effect of organic matter from water was obvious. The community structure of phytoplankton changed from the Bacillariophyta-Cyanophyta type to the Bacillariophyta-Cyanobacteria type. Finally, the introduction of artificial aquatic plants has contributed to the improvement in water quality. Therefore, SDOXM technology can be used as a new water quality improvement technology to enhance the self-restoration ability of a river natural ecology.

极小种群野生植物细果秤锤树种群结构与动态特征

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 极小种群野生植物细果秤锤树种群结构与动态特征 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202104291124 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 浙江省珍稀濒危野生动植物抢救保护行动(2021-2025);基于功能群的亚热带次生阔叶林质量提升技术研究与示范(2019SY08) Population structure and dynamic characteristics of an extremely small population plant Sinojackia microcarpa Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: Zhejiang Provincial Action for the Rescue and Protection of Rare and Endangered Wild Animals and Plants (2021-2025);Study and demonstration on quality improvement technology of subtropical secondary broad-leaved forest based on functional group (2019SY08) 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:细果秤锤树(Sinojackia microcarpa)是中国特有极小种群植物之一,属国家Ⅱ级重点保护植物。为揭示该种群的生存潜力与濒危机制,为种群保护提供依据,采用样地调查法在浙江省建德市细果秤锤树自然集中分布区进行野外调查,以空间代替时间研究了细果秤锤树种群的结构特征,绘制了种群静态生命表及种群存活曲线,并应用种群动态和时间序列量化预测种群未来发展态势。结果表明:(1)细果秤锤树的径级、高度和冠幅结构均表明该种群龄级结构总体呈衰退型,种群幼年树淘汰率较高,中年树到老年树过渡阶段适应力增强,生长情况较前期稳定。(2)生活曲线属Deevey-Ⅲ型,早期死亡率高,生存分析揭示细果秤锤树种群具有前期锐减的动态特征。(3)时间序列分析预测在未来2、4、6、8个龄级后,细果秤锤树的年龄结构存在幼年个体数下降,中、老年树占优势的衰退风险。(4)种群动态指数表明该种群结构总体波动大,抗外界干扰能力较弱,环境对个体的选择作用较强。为促进种群自然更新,应加强就地保护措施,降低人为干扰对个体生存环境的威胁,提高幼苗至幼树转化率,实现种群恢复。 Abstract:Sinojackia microcarpa is one of the extremely small populations species in China, it is a level-Ⅱ national key protected plant. To reveal the survival potential and endangered mechanism of the population, and provide the basis for population protection, a sample survey was conducted in the natural concentrated distribution area of S. microcarpa in Jiande City, Zhejiang Province. The structural characteristics of S. microcarpa were studied in space instead of time, the population static life table and population survival curve were drawn, and the population dynamics and time series were used to quantitatively predict the future development trend of the population. The results showed that: (1) The structure of diameter, height and crown structure all indicated that the age structure of the population was generally declining, the young trees had high mortality, while the adaptability of the adult tree to the old tree was enhanced, and the growth situation was stable compared with the previous period. (2) The life curve belonged to the Deevey-Ⅲ type, survival analysis showed that the population of S. microcarpa had a sharp decline in the early stage and the early mortality rate was high. (3) Time series analysis predicted that after 2, 4, 6, and 8 age classes in the future, the number of young individuals of S. microcarpa will decline, and the age structure will be in a decline dynamic where adult trees dominate. (4) The population dynamic index indicated that the overall structure of the population fluctuated greatly, the ability to resist external interference was weak, and the environment had a strong effect on individual selection. In order to promote the natural renewal of the population, in-situ protection measures should be strengthened to reduce the threat of human interference to the individual living environment, it will help increase the conversion rate of seedlings to saplings, and achieve the restoration of population. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Research and Exploration on Quality Improvement and Efficiency Increase Technology in the Later Stage of Steam Flooding

Research and Exploration on Quality Improvement and Efficiency Increase Technology in the Later Stage of Steam Flooding

Discussion and Application of Water Quality Improvement Technology in Condensate Treatment Unit

Discussion and Application of Water Quality Improvement Technology in Condensate Treatment Unit

Using Quality Improvement and Technology to Improve Social Supports for Hospitalized Children.

To develop and test the feasibility of a caregiver self-administered social needs screener, a Web-based searchable community resource map, and a process map for implementation of these tools as part of social needs screening and referral on a pediatric inpatient unit. A multidisciplinary team used quality improvement methodology to develop an electronic social needs screener, resource map Web site, and electronic health record enhancements. A process map for implementation of these tools was refined through plan-do-study-act cycles before full implementation. Weekly measures included the number of eligible caregivers screened, prevalence of reported social needs, and use of social work resources. During the 22-week study period, 147 caregivers were screened and 2 declined to participate. Thirty-four percent of caregivers endorsed ≥1 social need. The most common needs identified were depressive symptoms (23%), food insecurity (19%), and need for assistance with utilities (10%). All participants received information about the resource map, and 99% of caregivers with an identified need met with a social worker during their admission. Using quality improvement methodology and technology, the team implemented a new standardized process for addressing social needs on an inpatient unit. This led to identification of social needs in more than one-third of caregivers screened and provision of resource map information to all caregivers. These findings reinforce the importance of standardized assessment of social needs in the pediatric inpatient setting. The role of technology, including resource maps and electronic health record enhancements, was highlighted.

УЛУЧШЕНИЕ ШЕРОХОВАТОСТИ ПОВЕРХНОСТЕЙ ДЕТАЛЕЙ ИЗ ПОЛИМЕРНЫХ МАТЕРИАЛОВ, ПОЛУЧЕННЫХ С ПОМОЩЬЮ АДДИТИВНЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ

In the paper there is under consideration an effort to achieve the roughness index of Ra &lt;0.8 with the aid of soft abrasive tool use. As a result the purpose of this work became development of the technology for surface quality improvement of parts manufactured with the aid of additive technologies. &#x0D; The authors carried out a number of experiments with the samples manufactured with the aid of the method of FDM print. With the aid of 3D Ultra 3 printer of EnvisionTec company. The samples were made of ABS-plastic in the amount of 6 pieces. On each sample there were defects after printing which contributed to the deterioration of surface quality in products. By means of TR220 profilometer there was measured roughness before and after the experiment. There was carried out dry processing and with the use of SCL. As a result, dry processing resulted in worsening surface quality, heavy wear of an abrasive tool and grain contamination. Analyzing the data obtained from the profilometer in the experiment and SCL use a considerable improvement of the surface layer quality at minimum allowance is observed. &#x0D; Investigation methods: in the work basis there are experimental methods of investigation. The investigations are carried out with the use of a microscope and profilometer. Processing investigation results was carried out as a result of the comparison of the measuring data obtained. &#x0D; Work Novelty: there are defined conditions of soft abrasive tool operation and SCL impact upon Ra indices. &#x0D; The results obtained indicate a possibility of Ra improvement on a part surface which is achieved due to a combined shaping with the aid of additive technologies and further machining carried out on a single technological basis. The experience without SCL use has shown the overheating possibility the result of which is a meltback and plastic sticking both on the surface, and on abrasive grains of the cutter which is inadmissible and results in considerable worsening of Ra on the surface machined and cutter wear. &#x0D; In view of this the SCL use in finishing is promising, but to achieve better results SCL chemistry must be improved.