Use Of Instrumental Techniques Research Articles

Parameter Estimation of Mark-Houwink Equation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Using Molecular Mass and Intrinsic Viscosity in Water

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is an ingredient for approved drug products by the Food & Drug Administration. PEG is mostly used as a pharmaceutical adjuvant, ophthalmic and oral acts as an encapsulating agent, plasticizing agent in food packages, modified and/or functionalized materials, among other applications. It is important to know the molecular mass of PEG because it will bring the product configuration for these applications. The use of instrumental techniques is often infeasible due to high investment and operational costs. The viscosimetry by capillary, in the case of a classical technique, simple and inexpensive, allows significant results for the determination of the molecular mass of polymers from the intrinsic viscosity. The objective of the present study was to determine the parameters of the Mark-Houwink equation for PEG using molecular mass and intrinsic viscosity in water at different temperatures. The parameters resulting in “K” between 0.046828 x 10-3 and 0.298291 x 10-3 cm3.g-1 and “α” between 0.40 and 0.70. The viscosimeter by the capillary allowed to obtain significant results for the estimation of the parameters "K" and "α", with a correlation coefficient greater than 98%.

The use of solvents for gutta-percha dissolution/removal during endodontic retreatments: A scoping review.

This scoping review study aimed to map the evidence about solvents' use for gutta-percha dissolution and removal during endodontic retreatments. The study protocol followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, available online (https://osf.io/5vy8n/). Reporting was based on PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. We selected dentistry studies that considered the effectiveness of solvents in gutta-percha dissolution in endodontic retreatments and compared their performance to the use of instrumentation techniques without solvents. The search and study screening were performed in PubMed and Scopus databases by two independent researchers. A descriptive analysis considered the study design, method/technique used for obturation, method/technique used for instrumentation during retreatment, solvent solutions tested, exposure time, and main findings. A total of 41 studies were included. Despite that, most studies suggested that solvents' use may complicate root canal cleanliness, regardless of the type of instrumentation used, and facilitate the presence of gutta-percha remnants in the root surface. Thus, the use of solvents should be avoided and its use should only be considered if the previous working length was not possible to access without it. Despite that, high heterogeneity was observed, further studies are still encouraged comparing the performance and effects of different solvents in different clinical scenarios.

Voice assessment practices of speech and language therapists in Ireland

ABSTRACT Evidence supports the need for a multiparametric voice assessment incorporating objective and subjective assessment types. European guidelines and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommend a comprehensive voice assessment protocol; however, currently in Ireland, no national standards exist. This study investigates voice assessment practices of speech and language therapists (SLTs) in Ireland, with a particular interest in the use of objective instrumentation. It further elucidates what may act as barriers to the use of instrumental techniques, which has not been addressed in earlier studies. An online questionnaire was distributed to SLTs who work with voice disordered clients, via social media outlets of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapy (IASLT) and the Voice Special Interest Group to obtain both qualitative and quantitative data. Forty-five questionnaires were returned; the results of 33 completed questionnaires are presented here. The results suggest that subjective measures (auditory assessment protocols) are more commonly used by SLTs in Ireland than instrumental techniques. Limited access to equipment, the cost of equipment and low prioritization of voice clients in a large caseload were most frequently named as barriers to the use of instrumental assessment. The SLTs acknowledged the need for and expressed interest in more training on the use of instrumental techniques in the assessment of voice disorders. The results provoke discussion surrounding evidence-based practice in voice assessment and have implications for how instrumental techniques are incorporated in the curriculum of SLT training courses and in the continual professional development.

Technology for detection and prevention of consequences of hybrid war syndrome

The work is devoted to the development and implementation of detection technology, complex analysis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of hybrid war syndrome (as a characteristic syndrome of crisis situations). For the first time, the "Hybrid War Syndrome", as a characteristic syndrome of crisis situations (wars, catastrophes, emergencies) was systematically investigated and described, and the system of differential diagnostics was developed. For the first time were developed and described the mechanisms of development and models of the formation of PTSD in hybrid warfare, as part of the hybrid war syndrome. The peculiarities of information and cognitive traumatism PTSD etiology during hybrid war were investigated. Ophthalmic pathologies characteristic to the hybrid war syndrome and the oculomotor changes characteristic to the persons with PTSD have been identified and studied. Methods and means of hardware (instrumental) objective detection and diagnostics of PTSD were developed. For the first time the technology of diagnostics, complex analysis, innovative treatment, rehabilitation and prophylaxis of formed in conditions of hybrid war PTSD and hybrid war syndrome in general was developed with the use of instrumental techniques, which makes the process of detection, diagnosis and treatment significantly more objective. Developed and implemented. On the basis of the developed technology of objective instrumental detection, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the hybrid war syndrome was created a system of diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation of formed under conditions of hybrid war PTSD and hybrid war syndrome in general, in the National Military Medical Clinical Center "Chief Military Clinical Hospital". A complex system for the prevention of crisis syndromes has been created, with the development of techniques for "escorting" the members of the armed forces at all stages (before, during, after) of a crisis situation, which is based on objective ophthalmological instrumental research methods.

Which factors prognosticate rotational instability following lumbar laminectomy?

Reduced strength and stiffness of lumbar spinal motion segments following laminectomy may lead to instability. Factors that predict shear biomechanical properties of the lumbar spine were previously published. The purpose of the present study was to predict spinal torsion biomechanical properties with and without laminectomy from a total of 21 imaging parameters. Radiographs and MRI of ten human cadaveric lumbar spines (mean age 75.5, range 59-88 years) were obtained to quantify geometry and degeneration of the motion segments. Additionally, dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed to measure bone mineral content and density. Facet-sparing lumbar laminectomy was performed either on L2 or L4. Spinal motion segments were dissected (L2-L3 and L4-L5) and tested in torsion, under 1,600 N axial compression. Torsion moment to failure (TMF), early torsion stiffness (ETS, at 20-40 % TMF) and late torsion stiffness (LTS, at 60-80 % TMF) were determined and bivariate correlations with all parameters were established. For dichotomized parameters, independent-sample t tests were used. Univariate analyses showed that a range of geometric characteristics and disc and bone quality parameters were associated with torsion biomechanical properties of lumbar segments. Multivariate models showed that ETS, LTS and TMF could be predicted for segments without laminectomy (r (2) values 0.693, 0.610 and 0.452, respectively) and with laminectomy (r (2) values 0.952, 0.871 and 0.932, respectively), with DXA-derived measures of bone quality and quantity as the main predictors. Vertebral bone content and geometry, i.e. intervertebral disc width, frontal area and facet joint tropism, were found to be strong predictors of ETS, LTS and TMF following laminectomy, suggesting that these variables could predict the possible development of post-operative rotational instability following lumbar laminectomy. Proposed diagnostic parameters might aid surgical decision-making when deciding upon the use of instrumentation techniques.

New alkyl-phosphate bonded stationary phases for liquid chromatographic separation of biologically active compounds

A new type of bonded stationary phase for liquid chromatography, with the properties of immobilized artificial membranes, has been synthesized. Alkyl-phosphate adsorbents were obtained by modification of aminopropyl silica gel. The structures of the synthesized materials were confirmed by use of instrumental techniques—elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and 13 C and 29Si CP/MAS NMR. Analysis revealed that the adsorbents mimic the phospholipids present in natural cell membranes. The new synthesized alkyl-phosphate stationary phases may be used for liquid chromatographic separation of biologically active compounds of different polarity.

Which factors prognosticate spinal instability following lumbar laminectomy?

PurposeReduced strength and shear stiffness (SS) of lumbar motion segments following laminectomy may lead to instability. The purpose of the present study was to assess a broad range of parameters as potential predictors of shear biomechanical properties of the lumbar spine.MethodsRadiographs and MRI of all lumbar spines were obtained to classify geometry and degeneration of the motion segments. Additionally, dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed to measure bone mineral content and density (BMC and BMD). Facet sparing lumbar laminectomy was performed either on L2 or L4, in 10 human cadaveric lumbar spines (mean age 72.1 years, range 53–89 years). Spinal motion segments were dissected (L2–L3 and L4–L5) and tested in shear, under simultaneously loading with 1600 N axial compression. Shear stiffness, shear yield force (SYF) and shear force to failure (SFF) were determined and statistical correlations with all parameters were established.ResultsFollowing laminectomy, SS, SYF, and SFF declined (by respectively 24, 41, and 44%). For segments with laminectomy, SS was significantly correlated with intervertebral disc degeneration and facet joint degeneration (Pfirrmann: r = 0.64; Griffith: r = 0.70; Lane: r = 0.73 and Pathria: r = 0.64), SYF was correlated with intervertebral disc geometry (r = 0.66 for length; r = 0.66 for surface and r = 0.68 for volume), BMC (r = 0.65) and frontal area (r = 0.75), and SFF was correlated with disc length (r = 0.73) and BMC (r = 0.81). For untreated segments, SS was significantly correlated with facet joint tropism (r = 0.71), SYF was correlated with pedicle geometry (r = 0.83), and SFF was correlated with BMC (r = 0.85), BMD (r = 0.75) and frontal area (r = 0.75). SS, SYF and SFF could be predicted for segments with laminectomy (r 2 values respectively: 0.53, 0.81 and 0.77) and without laminectomy (r 2 value respectively: 0.50, 0.83 and 0.83).ConclusionsSignificant loss of strength and SS are predicted by BMC, BMD, intervertebral disc geometry and degenerative parameters, suggesting that low BMC or BMD, small intervertebral discs and absence of osteophytes could predict the possible development of post-operative instability following lumbar laminectomy.

AN EXPERIMENTAL SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF LANGUAGE VARIATION IN JORDANIAN ARABIC

The use of instrumental techniques in studies on the correlation of social variables with consonantal variation is a new trend in linguistic research. This trend is part of a new eclectic research area called socio-phonetics. This technique, to our knowledge, has not been so far utilized in investigating the phonological variations in Arabic. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the social impact of gender and educational setting on patterns of variation in the use of /θ/, / dʒ /and /ð/ by means of instrumental as well as auditory techniques. A pictorial interview was used to elicit data from the speech of 40 male and female respondents from two educational backgrounds. The main results of the study indicate that gender and educational setting differences affect the use of linguistic variants. Auditory examination reveals that men and individuals with high school education have a higher tendency to maintain the use of local variants, whereas women and individuals with university education have a higher tendency to adopt non-local prestigious variants. Furthermore, employment of acoustic measurements uncovered that in the use of local variants female respondents tend to consciously lower the degree of salience of these variants. In conclusion, male and female speech behavior depends on social priority. Men are driven by the concept of masculinity and toughness, while women are driven by prestige and softness.

Automation of palm oil mills

AbstractAutomation is the function of monitoring and regulating process operations non‐manually or remotely to check or maintain the required processing conditions and product quality, the use of instrumental techniques of analysis in the laboratory and the use of computers for data processing and other miscellaneous applications. Applications where automation is justifiable and the impact of changing trends in automation technology, especially the recent influx of microprocessor‐based systems, are discussed briefly. Applications in the palm oil mill where automation is fairly well‐developed and is being developed, as well as ideas for future applications are reviewed. An example of a practical approach to automation in palm oil mills is given using automatic control of crude oil dilution.