Fill Volume Research Articles

Design of Artificial Beaches at Sheltered and Exposed Sites

The paper is focused on the design of artificial sand beaches at sheltered and exposed sites. The methodology applied includes the study of the most essential design parameters and the application of numerical models to compute the beach erosion and maintenance. The computed erosion volume decreases for coarser sand (0.5 mm sand instead of 0.3 mm). Beach erosion increases for more graded sand, but the effect is small (10%-15%). The slope of the artificial beach at sheltered sites is commonly between 1 to 15 and 1 to 30 in conditions with a micro tidal range and mild waves. Slopes between 1 to 30 and 1 to 50 are used for more open exposed sites. The effect of the upper and lower beach slope (1 to 15 or 1 to 20) on beach erosion is marginal for sand in the range of 0.3 to 0.5 mm. A break in slope is quickly adjusted by transport processes. The volume of beach sand required may be reduced by constructing a submerged sill at the toe of the beach. Analysis of costs shows that the construction costs including maintenance over a period of 50 years of a submerged sill are about the same as that of beach fill including maintenance. Hence, the beach fill volume can be twice as large for a solution without a sill. Beach erosion due to alongshore transport processes is minimum if the beach line of the planform is perpendicular to the main wave direction (equilibrium beach).

Evaluation of pre-analytical factors impacting urine test strip and chemistry results.

Careful consideration of the pre-analytical process for urine examination is essential to avoid errors and support accurate results and decision-making. Our objective was to assess the impact of various pre-analytical factors on urine test strip and quantitative chemistry results, including stability, tube type, fill volume, and centrifugation. Residual random urine specimens were identified. Stability of 10 urine test strips and 13 quantitative chemistry parameters were assessed at eight time points (2, 4, 6, 8, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h) at room temperature (RT) and 2-8 °C (n=10-20 samples). The effect of additional pre-analytical variables was assessed, including using preservative tubes for urine chemistry as well as preservative tube underfilling and centrifugation on urine test strip results (n=10 samples). Seven of the ten urine tests strips evaluated met the minimal agreement criteria for stability (Cohen's kappa>0.70) across all conditions. A Cohen's kappa value of<0.70 was observed for pH (48 h), glucose (72 h), and protein (96 h) at RT. All 13 urine chemistry analytes remained stable at defined time points and conditions. Underfilling preservative tubes for urine test strips and centrifugation demonstrated no significant effect. The impact of using preservative tubes for urine chemistry was negligible with the exception of sodium and osmolality. These findings highlight the pre-analytical factors that impact urine specimen evaluation and may be useful in informing clinical laboratory practices. Acceptable stability window for urine test strips should be considered in the context of the proportion of pathological samples evaluated.

Definition of particle visibility threshold in parenteral drug products - towards standardization of visual inspection operator qualification.

The detectability size threshold of visible particles (″visibility″ size) in the context of visual inspection of parenteral drug products has been an elusive target for several decades. The current common sense, also reflected in official guidelines, dictates that particles of different shapes and morphologies have different ″visibility″ size thresholds, that can range between hundreds and thousands of micrometers. This study demonstrates experimentally for the first time that it is possible to define a single, shape- and morphology- independent detectability size threshold, identical across particles of various types, provided that observation conditions and product attributes are kept constant. We propose that, based on the physiology of human visual perception, instead of single-dimension measures of particle size (e.g. diameter or length), such a single size-threshold requires the use of area-based size parameters (such as ″equivalent circular diameter″, or ECD. The experimental results reported here clearly demonstrate that the ″visibility″ thresholds for particles of various morphologies converge on a single ECD value. In addition, the data reported here show that product attributes, such as container configuration, fill volume etc. influence the threshold of visibility. Collectively, the findings reported in this paper provide substantial evidence and scientific rationale, as well as unanticipated prospects for standardization of visual inspection qualification practices, ultimately leading to improving pharmaceutical product quality.

Achievement of overburden stripping production targets based on the calculation of cut-and-fill volume and truck count at Pit Middle West PT Cipta Bersama Sukses job site Tungkal Jaya

Abstract PT Cipta Bersama Sukses (PT CBS) calculates the volume of excavated materials using the mine progress survey method or truck count method. The common obstacle in the calculation is the discrepant results between survey production volume and truck count production volume. In November 2023, PT CBS set the production target of 291,790 BCM in overburden stripping production. It prompted this study to identify the causes of the discrepancy between the cut-and-fill calculation volume and the truck count volume, as well as the causes of the difference in target volume and actual production volume. We expect to provide references to the company in improving the performance quality the following month. This quantitative study gathered data from survey activities in the field and analyzed the data using Surpac 6.5.1 software. The total volume of overburden removal results in November 2023 using the cut-and-fill method was 331,446.883 BCM, and the truck count volume was 313,237.500 BCM, indicating a 5.494% difference with a standard deviation of 6.37%. It prompted the evaluation of data collection and calculation review. This research has achieved the overburden production target of 114% cut and fill volume and 107% truck count volume.

Fill Volume Calculation Analysis of The Meninting Dam Project Based on Terrestrial and Photogrammetry Measurement Data Using The Cross Section Method

Abstract Meninting Dam is a construction included in National Strategic Project (PSN) to support food and water security, especially in Eastern Indonesia, and also serves as a construction project for a dam located on Lombok Island. The earthwork becomes a crucial in construction work. It is necessary to calculate the volume to monitor the progress of the work. Measurements for volume calculation can be done with terrestrial methods and photogrammetric method. Therefore, it is necessary to compare the two measurement methods. The results of the total fill volume calculation were 1,699,589.02 m3 for drone measurements, 1,695,142.13 m3 for GNSS-RTK measurements, and 1,688,170.66 m3 for total station measurements. From these results, there is a difference of 4,446.89 m3 between drone measurements and GNSS-RTK and 6,971.47 m3 between total station measurements and GNSS-RTK. Based on the paired sample t-test (statistical test), at the 95% confidence level, the difference in area’s profile per STA and volume per partition of total station and drone measurements is not very significant to the data that is considered correct, which is the GNSS-RTK measurement. ASTM standard test, related to precision with precision error test, drone measurement is more precise than total station measurement. Regarding accuracy with the volume error test, drone measurements are more accurate than total station measurements. The results of this research can be used to support SDGs activities in infrastructure development and water resources management.

Pulsed peritoneal dialysis in an experimental rat model: A first experience.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is commonly performed using either intermittent or tidal exchanges, whereas other exchange techniques such as continuous flow PD are little used. Previous research indicated that stirring the intra-peritoneal dialysate markedly increases small solute clearances. Here, we tested the hypothesis that stirring of the dialysate increases small solute clearances by using a novel exchange technique where the dialysate is pulsed back and forth during the treatment without addition of fresh fluid. PD was performed in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats with either no pulsations (20 mL fill volume), 2 mL (10%) pulses (21 mL fill volume), or 5 mL (25%) pulses (22.5 mL fill volume) utilizing a pulse flow rate of 5 mL/min. The higher fill volume for the pulsed treatments compensates for the fact that the average intra-peritoneal volume would otherwise be lower in pulsed treatments. Water and solute transport were closely monitored during the treatment. Net ultrafiltration decreased significantly during pulsed PD with the 25% pulse volume. The 60 min sodium dip was unaltered, whereas the fluid absorption rate was increased for the 25% group. Solute clearances did not significantly differ between groups, except for a slightly lower calcium clearance in the 25% group. Our data indicate that stirring the dialysate using pulsed exchanges does not provide any advantage compared to conventional exchange techniques. In contrast, pulsed treatments had slightly lower ultrafiltration and small solute transport. The present findings may have implications regarding the choice of tidal volume in automated PD, favoring smaller tidal volumes.

Using Geodetic Methods in Road Construction Planning: To What Extent Will It Be Effective?

Sustainable development is a well-known concept that is widely applied nowadays. One of the applications of this concept is through an effective planning process, such as road construction planning. Cut and fill volume measurement is an integral part of such a process, which utilizes several geodetic methods. The most commonly used instruments are waterpass and electronic theodolite (total station), but there are significant differences in their concepts. Different observation methods of these two tools can affect their effectiveness. Therefore, in this study, the accuracy and efficiency of waterpass and electronic theodolites were measured and analyzed using the cross-section method to gauge the effectiveness of the ABC road construction project in Sumatra. The results show that although the accuracy of the electronic theodolite is lower than that of waterpass, it might be the preferred method because it saves time and reduces the cost of volume measurement, making it both practical and highly efficient.

Relationship between fill volume and transport in peritoneal dialysis-from bench to bedside.

Larger fill volumes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) typically improve small solute clearance and water removal, and vice versa-but the relationship between intraperitoneal volume and the capacities for solute and water transport in PD has been little studied. Here, it is proposed that this relative relationship is described by a simple ratio (Volumenew/Volumeold)2/3 up to a critical break-point volume, beyond which further volume increase is less beneficial in terms of solute and water removal. To scrutinize this hypothesis, experiments were conducted in a rat model of PD alongside a retrospective analysis of data from a prior clinical study. Rats underwent PD with either three consecutive fills of 8 + 8 + 8 mL (n = 10) or 12 + 12 + 12 mL (n = 10), with 45-minute dwell time intervals. This approach yielded 60 estimations of water and solute transport, characterized by osmotic conductance to glucose and solute diffusion capacities, respectively. Comparative analysis of the predictive efficacy of the two models-the simple ratio versus the break-point model-was performed using Monte Carlo cross-validation. The break-point model emerged as a superior predictor for both water and solute transfer, demonstrating its capability to characterize both experimental data from rats and clinical data from patients. The present analysis indicates that relatively simple calculations can be used to approximate clinical effects on solute and water removal when prescribing a lower or higher fill volume to patients with PD.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between High-Start and Low-Start Dialysate Fill Volume among Patients with CKD on Peritoneal Dialysis at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between High-Start and Low-Start Dialysate Fill Volume among Patients with CKD on Peritoneal Dialysis at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Comprehensive investigation of factors influencing the degradation of polysorbate 20: Insights into mechanisms and interactions using a design of experiments approach

This study investigates the degradation of polysorbate 20 (PS20 HP) in a protein-free formulation under various storage conditions, examining the factors (i) Fe2+, (ii) Fe3+, (iii) H2O2, (iv) glass vial type, (v) fill volume, (vi) oxygen concentration, (vii) PS20 HP batches, (viii) light exposure before storage, and (ix) storage time by a design of experiments approach. In order to ascertain the impact of the factors under examination, realistic concentration ranges have been selected on the basis of observations made in industrial settings. The findings of our investigation demonstrate that the presence of Fe2+ and Fe3+, in addition to oxygen, has a significant influence on the degradation of PS20 HP, with Fe2+ exerting a more pronounced effect. The reduction of the oxygen content through nitrogen degassing has been demonstrated to have a pronounced inhibitory effect on PS20 HP degradation, even in the presence of iron ions. Interestingly, the concentration of intact PS20 HP was not significantly affected by H2O2 (tested concentration: 29.4 μM (1 ppm)). Furthermore, other factors including fill volume, PS20 HP batch, and light exposure, did not exert a statistically significant impact on the degradation of PS20 HP over a 12-month period in relation to the other factors.

The new rheological model for zirconia suspensions with long-term kinetic stability

For successful 3D printing based on stereolithography technologies, one of the most important factors influencing the success of printing is the dynamic viscosity of the prepared suspension. For the purposes of viscosity prediction at different volume fillings, two ZrO2 powders with different yttrium content (CY3Z-RS and CY8Z-RS) with volume filling 0–40 % in two different dispersing mediums at two temperatures were investigated in this paper. The dependence of relative viscosity on volumetric filling was fitted by existing models and a new semi-empirical model based on experimental data was proposed and successfully plotted. Fitted data for all zirconia photosensitive suspensions showed a high correlation to the proposed model (R2 from 97.02 % to 99.61 %). The model in addition to the possibilities of mathematical generalization of his prescription, introduces a fitting parameter C, which is thought to be thermodynamically influenceable and predictable. Furthermore, another key characteristic that is often neglected in rheological characterization, the stability of prepared ceramic suspensions, was verified either by rheological measurements but also by employing prospective technology based on analytical centrifuge. It was confirmed that all prepared suspensions were highly stable, and all instability indexes reached values less than 0.05.

Comparing Cortiva Silhouette to AlloDerm for Use in Prepectoral Two-stage Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction.

The use of acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) in implant-based breast reconstruction has become increasingly routine during the past 20 years. ADMs improve soft-tissue support, facilitate greater tissue expander (TE) fill volumes, and reduce rates of capsular contracture. As the ADM market continues to grow, outcomes studies are necessary to assess the risks and benefits of each product. In this study, we compare the performance of Cortiva Silhouette, the thinnest ADM widely available, to AlloDerm, commonly considered the industry standard. We performed a retrospective review of 178 consecutive two-stage prosthetic breast reconstructions performed by the senior author. In every case, either Cortiva or AlloDerm was used to provide soft-tissue support during TE placement. Subjects were divided into Cortiva and AlloDerm cohorts and compared across patient characteristics and reconstructive outcomes variables. During the study period, AlloDerm was used in 116 reconstructions; Cortiva was used in 62. After propensity score matching (62 AlloDerm, 62 Cortiva), Cortiva was associated with greater intraoperative and final TE fill volumes, as well as larger silicone implants. Cortiva was also associated with fewer complications overall, and fewer instances of mastectomy skin necrosis, delayed wound healing, and seroma. Cortiva Silhouette is noninferior to AlloDerm in terms of safety and providing soft-tissue support in prepectoral two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction. In this study, Cortiva supported greater TE fill volumes and larger silicone implants relative to AlloDerm and was associated with fewer complications.

Modeling the thermal and hydrodynamic performance of grooved wick flat heat pipes

A compact model is developed to predict the thermal and hydrodynamic performance of a flat heat pipe with a rectangular grooved wick. The present model relies on the analytical solution to the energy equation in the wall and an equivalent heat transfer coefficient predicted using a computationally efficient iterative method. This efficient iterative method can also provide a framework for modeling other grooved or porous wick heat pipes for which analytical or semi-analytical solutions to the wall conduction, fluid flow, and film equations exist. Compared to prior numerical tools, the present modeling approach is computationally efficient, making it compelling for use in parametric and optimization studies. Instead of numerically solving a set of coupled differential equations, the present model considers only analytical and semi-analytical solutions for evaporation and condensation heat transfer rates. The non-discretized nature of the present model allows computations on a typical workstation to be completed within seconds as opposed to the hours required for prevalent numerical tools. The present model accounts for varying liquid fill volumes, geometry, and interfacial properties, such as surface tension and contact angle. The present model closely agrees with published numerical and experimental results for wall temperatures and maximum heat transfer rates. Parametric studies, which vary wall thermal conductivity, water contact angle, and groove dimensions are conducted on a previously experimentally investigated heat pipe to demonstrate the present model’s capabilities. The present model found that the maximum heat transfer rate of the heat pipe can be enhanced by about 15 and 20% by varying its wetting angle and groove dimensions, respectively.

Development of a Stable Lyophilized Cyclophosphamide Monohydrate Formulation Using Non-Aqueous Solvents.

To ensure product stability, it is critical to maintain the monohydrate state of cyclophosphamide following lyophilization, as this is the most stable solid form of the Cyclophosphamide. On the other hand, because of their limited aqueous solubility and stability, non-aqueous solvents are preferred for determining the composition and stability of bulk solutions. Hence, the purpose of this study was to use non-aqueous solvents for determining the composition and stability of bulk solutions, and to shorten the lyophilization process by retaining the cyclophosphamide monohydrate. Furthermore, prior to selecting the solvent for the bulk solution consisting of 90:10 tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) and acetonitrile (ACN), various factors were taken into account, including the freezing point, vapor pressure of solvents, solubility, and stability of cyclophosphamide monohydrate. The concentration of the bulk solution was adjusted to 200mg/mL in order to optimize the fill volume, enhance sublimation rates at lower temperatures during primary drying, and eliminate the need for secondary drying. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements of bulk solution were used to improve the lyophilization cycle. The lyophilization cycle opted was freezing at a temperature of -55°C with annealing step at -22°C by which the reconstitution time was significantly reduced. The drying was performed at below - 25°C while maintaining a chamber pressure of 300 mTorr. The complete removal of non-aqueous solvents was achieved by retaining water within the system. The presence of cyclophosphamide monohydrate was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The reduction of lyophilization process time was established by conducting mass transfer tests and evaluating the physicochemical properties of the pharmaceutical product. Using non-aqueous solvents for freeze-drying cyclophosphamide is a viable option, and this study provides significant knowledge for the advancement of future generic pharmaceuticals.

Association of gastric myotomy length in peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) with gastro-esophageal junction distensibility measured by Endoluminal Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (EndoFLIP).

Endoluminal Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (EndoFLIP) is a device that measures gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) distensibility. However, it is not demonstrated that GEJ distensibility increases proportionally with varying gastric myotomy length in peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). This study aimed to investigate the association between gastric myotomy length in POEM and intraoperative EndoFLIP findings. This single-center, retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent POEM with intraoperative EndoFLIP from December 2019 to January 2023. Using EndoFLIP, minimal balloon diameter and its distensibility index (DI) were measured pre- and post-myotomy. Primary and secondary outcomes were the post-myotomy EndoFLIP findings at 30ml and 40ml volume fills. The study included 44 patients (mean age 53.1years, 50% female). Chicago classification included achalasia type I (39%), II (41%), III (9%), hypercontractile esophagus (2%), and EGJOO (9%). The mean esophageal myotomy length was 7.5 ± 2.2cm and gastric myotomy was 2.1 ± 0.6cm. Simple linear regression analyses indicated that for each 1cm increase in gastric myotomy length, the DI at 30ml volume fill was estimated to increase by 2.0mm2/mmHg (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.41), the minimal diameter at 30ml volume fill was estimated to increase by 2.4mm (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.48), and the minimal diameter at 40ml volume fill was estimated to increase by 1.3mm (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.09). This study demonstrates a significant linear relationship between gastric myotomy length and GEJ distensibility measured by EndoFLIP during POEM. These findings may be useful in clinical practice by enabling EndoFLIP to help calibrate a desired gastric myotomy length to achieve optimal DI and minimal diameter.

The influence of thermal radiation during microwave-assisted freeze-drying of pharmaceutical unit doses

New drying technologies for biologicals have recently been developed to accelerate the time-consuming batch freeze-drying (BFD) process. Among others, microwave-assisted freeze-drying (MFD) has been suggested as a faster and more effective drying technology. In this study, MFD cycles with the microwave radiation switched on and off were performed to assess the contribution of the microwave radiation to drying acceleration. It was found that thermal radiation emitted by the drying chamber walls was predominantly accelerating the drying of monodose placebos rather than microwave radiation. The combination of ultra-low chamber pressure, high thermal heat transfer and a short primary-to-secondary phase transition reduces drying times by more than 80 % compared to conventional BFD. In a second step, a design of experiment approach was used to assess the effect of thermal radiation versus microwave radiation and their combination, together with dosage properties such as fill volume and excipient concentration upon drying rate. The outcome showed the importance of high fill volume and high excipient concentration for an effective microwave contribution to the drying rate. Nevertheless, the drying acceleration for small pharmaceutical dosages with restricted solutes was mainly driven by thermal radiation rather than 2.45 GHz microwave radiation. The inability of ice to convert microwave energy into heat hampers the potential use of microwave freeze-drying for single-dose vaccines.

Stability of intravenous medicines – evidence of maximum temperature reached in both summer and winter within soft shell elastomeric pumps

ObjectiveElastomeric devices or pumps are a valuable tool to deliver outpatient parenteral therapy and have been used for administration of chemotherapy, antibiotics and pain medication. A key determinant of effective...

An Introduction to Ventra: A Programmable Abdominal Phantom for Training, Educational, Research, and Development Purposes.

Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is a critical parameter in the care of critically ill patients, as elevated IAP can lead to reduced cardiac output and organ perfusion, potentially resulting in multiple organ dysfunction and failure. The current gold standard for measuring IAP is an indirect technique via the bladder. According to the Abdominal Compartment Society's Guidelines, new measurement methods/devices for IAP must be validated against the gold standard. This study introduces Ventra, an abdominal phantom designed to simulate different IAP levels, abdominal compliance, respiration-related IAP variations, and bladder dynamics. Ventra aims to facilitate the development and validation of new IAP measurement devices while reducing reliance on animal and cadaveric studies. Additionally, it offers potential applications in training and education for biomedical engineering students. This study provides a thorough explanation on the phantom's design and fabrication, which provides a low-cost solution for advancing IAP measurement research and education. The design concept, technical aspects, and a series of validation experiments determining whether Ventra is a suitable tool for future research are presented in this study. Ventra's performance was evaluated through a series of validation tests using a pressure gauge and two intra-gastric (Spiegelberg and CiMON) and two intra-bladder (Accuryn and TraumaGuard) pressure measurement devices. The mean and standard deviation of IAP recordings by each device were investigated. Bland-Altman analysis was used to evaluate bias, precision, limits of agreement, and percentage error for each system. Concordance analysis was performed to assess the ability of Ventra in tracking IAP changes. The phantom demonstrated excellent agreement with reference pressure measurements, showing an average bias of 0.11 ± 0.49 mmHg. A concordance coefficient of 100% was observed for the phantom as well. Ventra accurately simulated different abdominal compliances, with higher IAP values resulting in lower compliance. Abdominal volume changes showed a bias of 0.08 ± 0.07 L/min, and bladder fill volume measurements showed an average difference of 0.90 ± 4.33 mL for volumes ranging from 50 to 500 mL. The validation results were in agreement with the research guidelines of the world abdominal society. Ventra is a reliable tool that will facilitate the development and validation of new IAP measurement devices. It is an effective educational tool for biomedical engineering students as well.

Variations in provider practices in remote patient monitoring on peritoneal dialysis in the USA and Canada.

Automation has allowed clinicians to program PD treatment parameters, all while obtaining extensive individual treatment data. This data populates in a centralized online platform shortly after PD treatment completion. Individual treatment data available to providers includes patients' vital signs, alarms, bypasses, prescribed PD treatment, actual treatment length, individual cycle fill volumes, ultrafiltration volumes, as well as fill, dwell, and drain times. However, there is no guidance about how often or if this data should be assessed by the clinical team members. We set out to determine current practice patterns by surveying members of the home dialysis team managing PD patients across the United States and Canada. A total of 127 providers completed the survey. While 91% of respondents reported having access to a remote monitoring platform, only 31% reported having a standardized protocol for data monitoring. Rating their perceived importance of having a standard protocol for remote data monitoring, on a scale of 0 (not important at all) to 10 (extremely important), the average response was 8 (physicians 7; nurses 9). Most nurses reported reviewing the data multiple times per week, whereas most physicians reported viewing the data only during regular/monthly visits. Although most of the providers who responded have access to remote monitoring data and feel that regular review is important, the degree of its utilization is variable, and the way in which the information is used is not commonly protocolized. Working to standardize data interpretation, testing algorithms, and educating providers to help process and present the data are important next steps.

Anti-slosh effect of baffle configurations and air pressure on liquid sloshing in partially filled tank trucks

Abstract The phenomenon of liquid sloshing inside partially filled tank trucks adversely affects the stability of the tanktrucks. In order to mitigate the negative effects of liquid sloshing inside the tank, this study proposes several baffle configurations and investigates their anti-slosh effect on liquid sloshing. First, a numerical model of liquid sloshing is established. Then, the effectiveness of the numerical model is validated by comparing the results of free surface deformation, wall pressure, and sloshing frequency obtained from simulations and experiments under identical conditions. During the research process, it was found that the air pressure formed in locally sealed spaces within the tank also plays a positive role in suppressing liquid sloshing. The research results indicate that, under low fill volumes, baffles fixed at the bottom of the tank are more effective in suppressing liquid sloshing inside the tank, while under high fill volumes, baffles fixed at the top of the tank are more effective. Considering the tank’s airtightness, the air pressure formed in locally sealed spaces within the tank plays an important role in suppressing liquid sloshing when baffles are fixed at the top of the tank and the fill volume is high.&amp;#xD;