Use of the starwheel sprayer for applying drying emulsion to sultana grapes to be dried on the trellis

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (88) ◽  
pp. 871 ◽  
Author(s):  
PR Clingeleffer ◽  
RS Trayford ◽  
P May ◽  
CJ Brien

The development of the starwheel sprayer for the application of drying emulsion to Sultanas is described. This sprayer consists, in its standard form, of three sets of six radially and horizontally arranged spokes. Each spoke is fitted with three wide angle, solid cone nozzles which spray near and inside the vine canopy. Spraying vines with the starwheel sprayer took one tenth of the time needed to spray the fruit to saturation by hand. Experiments indicated that at least 4000 l ha-1 of spray emulsion containing at least 1.5 per cent oil and 1.875 per cent K2CO3 were needed to obtain sufficient coverage of the fruit for an adequate rate of drying and to ensure good quality of the fruit. The colour of dried sultanas produced by trellis drying after spraying with the starwheel sprayer was darker and less uniform than the colour of fruit produced by rack-spraying and -drying. This appeared to be related to the system of trellis-drying in general rather than to the use of the starwheel sprayer. It is concluded that the starwheel sprayer successfully meets the requirements for applying drying emulsion to Sultanas to be dried on the trellis.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fazwa M. Fadzilah ◽  
Noreen Izza Arshad ◽  
Izuddin Zainal-Abidin ◽  
Hui Min Low ◽  
Ahmad Kamil Mahmood ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Mobile applications (apps) that offer a variety of techniques to improve stuttering have been flourishing in the digital marketplace. In evidence-based clinical practice, speech therapists will recommend audio-enriched mobile apps to individuals with stuttering problems based on empirical research evidence. Unfortunately, many stuttering mobile apps available in the market are developed without a substantial research base. Hence, speech therapists necessitate a guideline which they could use to assess the quality of a stuttering mobile app before recommending the app to stutterers. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to develop a rubric for assessing the quality of the stuttering mobile app in assisting speech therapists to make informed recommendations METHODS The rubric was initially developed based on a set of criteria reviewed from the literature. Online surveys and focused group discussion were then conducted for results verification. RESULTS The outcome of this study is a rubric designed with four categories and 18-evaluative dimensions tailored to analyze the quality of stuttering mobile apps. The stuttering mobile app assessment rubric presented in the serve multiple purposes, including an evaluation instrument, providing guidelines for developing stuttering mobile apps and for creating a standard form that can be shared with professionals to facilitate a collective effort. CONCLUSIONS This rubric also offers a guidance to steer drive the future development of stuttering mobile apps that are evidence-based, and theoretically grounded


Photonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 298
Author(s):  
Juan Martinez-Carranza ◽  
Tomasz Kozacki ◽  
Rafał Kukołowicz ◽  
Maksymilian Chlipala ◽  
Moncy Sajeev Idicula

A computer-generated hologram (CGH) allows synthetizing view of 3D scene of real or virtual objects. Additionally, CGH with wide-angle view offers the possibility of having a 3D experience for large objects. An important feature to consider in the calculation of CGHs is occlusion between surfaces because it provides correct perception of encoded 3D scenes. Although there is a vast family of occlusion culling algorithms, none of these, at the best of our knowledge, consider occlusion when calculating CGHs with wide-angle view. For that reason, in this work we propose an occlusion culling algorithm for wide-angle CGHs that uses the Fourier-type phase added stereogram (PAS). It is shown that segmentation properties of the PAS can be used for setting efficient conditions for occlusion culling of hidden areas. The method is efficient because it enables processing of dense cloud of points. The investigated case has 24 million of point sources. Moreover, quality of the occluded wide-angle CGHs is tested by two propagation methods. The first propagation technique quantifies quality of point reproduction of calculated CGH, while the second method enables the quality assessment of the occlusion culling operation over an object of complex shape. Finally, the applicability of proposed occlusion PAS algorithm is tested by synthetizing wide-angle CGHs that are numerically and optically reconstructed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Elis Wachholz ◽  
Julia do Amaral Gomes ◽  
Juliano André Boquett ◽  
Fernanda Sales Luiz Vianna ◽  
Lavínia Schuler-Faccini ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Due to the diversity of studies in animal models reporting that molecular mechanisms are involved in the teratogenic effect of the Zika virus (ZIKV), the objective of the present study is to evaluate the methodological quality of these studies, as well as to demonstrate which genes and which molecular pathways are affected by ZIKV in different animal models. Methods This search will be performed in four databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus, as well as in the grey literature. The studies selection process will be reported through the PRISMA Statement diagram model. All studies describing the molecular mechanisms possibly involved in the development of malformations caused by embryonic/fetal ZIKV exposure in animal models with an appropriate control group and methodology will be included (including, for instance, randomized and non-randomized studies). All animals used as experimental models for ZIKV teratogenesis may be included as long as exposure to the virus occurred during the embryonic/fetal period. From the selected studies, data will be extracted using a previously prepared standard form. Bias risk evaluation will be conducted following the SYRCLE’s Risk of Bias tool. All data obtained will be tabulated and organized by outcomes (morphological and molecular). Discussion With the proposed systematic review, we expect to present results about the methodological quality of the published studies with animal models that investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in the teratogenic effect of ZIKV, as well as to show the studies with greater reliability. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42019157316


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 840-845
Author(s):  
John W. Greene ◽  
William A. Altemeir ◽  
David M. Moroney ◽  
Susan M. O'Connor

Traditionally the medical profession and, more recently, federal agencies have promoted peer review to improve quality of health care, although its effectiveness is uncertain. To assess ability of peer review to increase recording of comprehensive care, the resident charting of growth, immunizations, and family, past medical, developmental, and birth history was monitored in randomly selected charts six months before (747 charts) and six months after institution of peer review (691 charts). Faculty emphasis for charting remained uniform throughout the study. During ten 1-hour sessions, pediatric residents reviewed the charts of their colleagues for comprehensive care and other measurements using a standard form. Although faculty were not present, residents reported by post-study interview that vigorous discussion and peer pressure occurred during the sessions, and subjectively they felt their charting had improved. An objective assessment indicated charting of past medical history worsened after peer review was initiated, and charting of family history improved slightly. All changes were marginal. Charting was not related to the volume of patients seen by individual residents or their level of training but was relatively consistent for individual residents over successive rotations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 168781401983630
Author(s):  
Cuicui Xu ◽  
Yansong Zhang ◽  
Qingguo Yao ◽  
Shichuan Zhang

In order to understand the relationship between nozzle structure and spray field, the present paper conducts velocity-based parametric study on two types of dust suppression nozzles, focusing on the link among nozzle structure, velocity distribution, and the resulting spray field. The simulation investigation indicates that the increase of flow velocity mainly occurs in the convergence section and the outlet region of a nozzle, with its magnitude dictated by the convergence angle, ratio of inlet to outlet diameter, and the length–diameter ratio of the outlet. Based on the velocity distribution characteristic of axis direction and radial direction near different nozzles’ outlet, one can predict that fluid density is higher in the central axis region and lower in the boundary region in spray field with cylindrical outlet, which can form a “solid cone” shape and stable spray. In the case where the nozzle outlet has “dash” type, one can find that the spray field, which associated with this type of nozzle, is a fan-shaped, with the fluid density fluctuating up and down. The above hypothesis has been corroborated by the spray experiments which have been conducted here. The simulation results concerning the internal flow field in dust suppression nozzles can provide guidance over the nozzle design and the parametric optimization and are of great significance to enhance the atomization quality of spray field.


Author(s):  
Małgorzata Rabiej ◽  
Stanisław Rabiej

To decompose a wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) curve of a semi-crystalline polymer into crystalline peaks and amorphous halos, a theoretical best-fitted curve, i.e. a mathematical model, is constructed. In fitting the theoretical curve to the experimental one, various functions can be used to quantify and minimize the deviations between the curves. The analyses and calculations performed in this work have proved that the quality of the model, its parameters and consequently the information on the structure of the investigated polymer are considerably dependent on the shape of an objective function. It is shown that the best models are obtained employing the least-squares method in which the sum of squared absolute errors is minimized. On the other hand, the methods in which the objective functions are based on the relative errors do not give a good fit and should not be used. The comparison and evaluation were performed using WAXD curves of seven polymers: isotactic polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose I, cellulose II, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide 6. The methods were compared and evaluated using statistical tests and measures of the quality of fitting.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snježana Kaštelan ◽  
Martina Tomić ◽  
Kata Metež Soldo ◽  
Jasminka Salopek-Rabatić

The treatment goals for glaucoma are lowering the intraocular pressure and preservation of vision. Topical hypotensive drops are the standard form of therapy which is often associated with some symptoms of toxicity, ocular inflammation, allergy, or ocular surface disease (OSD). OSD is a common comorbidity in glaucoma patients, and its prevalence with glaucoma increases with age. Use of topical treatment could additionally increase symptoms of OSD mostly due to preservatives added to multidose medication bottles used to reduce the risk of microbial contamination. This toxicity has been particularly associated with BAK, the most commonly used preservative which damages conjunctival and corneal epithelial cells and significantly aggravates OSD symptoms. OSD adversely affects patients’ quality of life causing discomfort and problems with vision which in turn may result in noncompliance, lack of adherence, and eventually visual impairment. In the management of glaucoma patients OSD symptoms should not be overlooked. If they are present, topical glaucoma treatment should be adapted by decreasing the amount of drops instilled daily, using BAK-free or preservative-free medication and lubricants if necessary. Awareness of the presence and importance of OSD will in turn improve patients' adherence and compliance and thus ultimately the preservation of long-term vision.


Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Giovanni Selva ◽  
Xavier Roca-Maza ◽  
Gianluca Colò

Isospin symmetry breaking effects on the mass-radius relation of a cold, non-accreting neutron star are studied on the basis of two Skyrme Energy Density Functionals (EDFs). One functional contains isospin symmetry breaking terms other than those typically included in Skyrme EDFs while its counterpart is of standard form. Both functionals are based on the same fitting protocol except for the observables and pseudo-observables sensitive to the isospin symmetry breaking channel. The quality of those functionals is similar in the description of terrestrial observables but choosing either of them has a non-negligible effect on the mass-radius relation and tidal deformability of a neutron star. Further investigations are needed to clarify the effects of isospin symmetry breaking on these and other observables of neutron stars that are, and will become, available.


2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Messmer Uccelli ◽  
L Mancuso Mohr ◽  
M A Battaglia ◽  
P Zagami ◽  
D C Mohr

Peer support programs have become a common method of providing support for patients with chronic illness. Utilizing peers as resources has been proposed as an effective means for coping with a stressful life experience and for gaining support from others who share a common factor, although data are somewhat mixed on the efficacy of peer support. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of eight weeks of a standard form of peer support in improving quality of life and reducing depressive symptoms in 44 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). O ne person from each of six groups participated in a training course in order to learn basic principles of peer support. Eight weekly sessions were held and patients completed self-administered questionnaires pre- and post- treatment assessing quality of life and depression. Results showed that support groups do not provide consistent improvement in quality of life or depression in patients with MS and suggest that patients who have better mental health functioning could be at risk for deterioration in support groups.


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