scholarly journals A Combined Climate Extremes Index for the Australian Region

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (23) ◽  
pp. 6153-6165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailie J. E. Gallant ◽  
David J. Karoly
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Climate Extremes ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Extreme Cold ◽  
Combined Indices ◽  
Maximum Temperatures ◽  
High Level ◽  
First Time ◽  
Level Of Agreement ◽  
Rigorous Quality Control

Abstract Changes in the area of Australia experiencing concurrent temperature and rainfall extremes are investigated through the use of two combined indices. The indices describe variations between the fraction of land area experiencing extreme cold and dry or hot and wet conditions. There is a high level of agreement between the variations and trends of the indices from 1957 to 2008 when computed using (i) a spatially complete gridded dataset without rigorous quality control checks and (ii) spatially incomplete high-quality station datasets with rigorous quality control checks. Australian extremes are examined starting from 1911, which is the first time a broad-scale assessment of Australian temperature extremes has been performed prior to 1957. Over the whole country, the results show an increase in the extent of hot and wet extremes and a decrease in the extent of cold and dry extremes annually and during all seasons from 1911 to 2008 at a rate of between 1% and 2% decade−1. These trends mostly stem from changes in tropical regions during summer and spring. There are relationships between the extent of extreme maximum temperatures, precipitation, and soil moisture on interannual and decadal time scales that are similar to the relationships exhibited by variations of the means. However, the trends from 1911 to 2008 and from 1957 to 2008 are not consistent with these relationships, providing evidence that the processes causing the interannual variations and those causing the longer-term trends are different.

scholarly journals Getting it Right the First Time

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (05) ◽  
pp. 68-70
Author(s):  
Jean Thilmany
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Quality Matters ◽  
Design Engineers ◽  
First Time ◽  
Potential Customers ◽  
Rigorous Quality Control

This article highlights that quality control at manufacturing companies take many forms. Basically, quality control implies that everyone involved in the manufacture of a product or part makes sure it can be easily manufactured and that after it has been made, it meets certain predetermined specifications. Other industries are following ISO standards and becoming certified to show potential customers that they maintain rigorous quality control standards. Companies interested in quality matters have a host of technologies to help them achieve their goals. Other technologies exist, such as JMP from SAS Institute in Cary, NC, which analyzes data from the shop floor in order to monitor performance. Numbers that do not fit set patterns might alert engineers to a manufacturing problem. The software links graphics, such as charts and graphs, with the statistical data so engineers can better conceptualize the statistics. Quality control is not only about inspecting products after they are produced. In fact, it often begins at the very first step in the manufacturing process—ensuring that design engineers have all the information they need to properly design a part, and making sure they are properly trained on any software they use while creating the design.

A Confrontation between Two Doctrines: The Birth of Struggle for Hegemony in Hebrew Children's Literature during the 1930s and 1940s

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
YAEL DARR
Keyword(s):  
Children's Literature ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
The Political ◽  
Literary Creation ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Level ◽  
First Time ◽  
Literary Quality

This article describes a crucial and fundamental stage in the transformation of Hebrew children's literature, during the late 1930s and 1940s, from a single channel of expression to a multi-layered polyphony of models and voices. It claims that for the first time in the history of Hebrew children's literature there took place a doctrinal confrontation between two groups of taste-makers. The article outlines the pedagogical and ideological designs of traditionalist Zionist educators, and suggests how these were challenged by a group of prominent writers of adult poetry, members of the Modernist movement. These writers, it is argued, advocated autonomous literary creation, and insisted on a high level of literary quality. Their intervention not only dramatically changed the repertoire of Hebrew children's literature, but also the rules of literary discourse. The article suggests that, through the Modernists’ polemical efforts, Hebrew children's literature was able to free itself from its position as an apparatus controlled by the political-educational system and to become a dynamic and multi-layered field.

scholarly journals Remarkable Species Diversity of the Leafhopper Genus Xestocephalus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Aphrodinae) in Thailand

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 514
Author(s):  
Zonglei Liang ◽  
Christopher H. Dietrich ◽  
Wu Dai
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Comparative Morphology ◽  
Malaise Trap ◽  
Field Sampling ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Trap Field ◽  
The World ◽  
First Time

Xestocephalus Van Duzee is among the most common and widespread genera of Cicadellidae in the temperate and tropical regions of the world. In the present study, 205 specimens of the genus Xestocephalus were collected in Thailand, whereas only a single species of the genus was recorded previously using Malaise trap field sampling, studied by comparative morphology. Seventeen species were recognized, including twelve new species: X. binarius sp. nov., X. chrysanthemum sp. nov., X. cowboyocreus sp. nov., X. densprint sp. nov., X. dimiprocessus sp. nov., X. exproiecturus sp. nov., X. gracilus sp. nov., X. limpidissimus sp. nov., X. malleus sp. nov., X. nonattribus sp. nov., X. recipinams sp. nov., and X. tenusis Liang sp. nov. Four species were recorded in Thailand for the first time: Xestocephalus abyssinicus Heller and Linnavuori, Xestocephalus asper Linnavuori, Xestocephalus ishidae Matsumura, and Xestocephalus toroensis Matsumura. Detailed morphological descriptions of all 17 species are given; photographs of external habitus and male genitalia of the species from Thailand are provided. A checklist of species of the genus is also given, and a key to all Thailand Xestocephalus species is also provided.

scholarly journals Aberrant Expression of TLR2, TLR7, TLR9, Splicing Variants of TLR4 and MYD88 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 867
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Skorka ◽  
Paulina Wlasiuk ◽  
Agnieszka Karczmarczyk ◽  
Krzysztof Giannopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Cytotoxic T Cells ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Splicing Variants ◽  
High Level ◽  
Time To First Treatment ◽  
First Time

Functional toll-like receptors (TLRs) could modulate anti-tumor effects by activating inflammatory cytokines and the cytotoxic T-cells response. However, excessive TLR expression could promote tumor progression, since TLR-induced inflammation might stimulate cancer cells expansion into the microenvironment. Myd88 is involved in activation NF-κB through TLRs downstream signaling, hence in the current study we provided, for the first time, a complex characterization of expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR7, TLR9, and MYD88 as well as their splicing forms in two distinct compartments of the microenvironment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): peripheral blood and bone marrow. We found correlations between MYD88 and TLRs expressions in both compartments, indicating their relevant cooperation in CLL. The MYD88 expression was higher in CLL patients compared to healthy volunteers (HVs) (0.1780 vs. 0.128, p < 0.0001). The TLRs expression was aberrant in CLL compared to HVs. Analysis of survival curves revealed a shorter time to first treatment in the group of patients with low level of TLR4(3) expression compared to high level of TLR4(3) expression in bone marrow (13 months vs. 48 months, p = 0.0207). We suggest that TLRs expression is differentially regulated in CLL but is similarly shared between two distinct compartments of the microenvironment.

scholarly journals Agreement between different recall periods in drug utilization studies

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassia Garcia Moraes ◽  
Sotero Serrate Mengue ◽  
Tatiane da Silva Dal Pizzol
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Utilization ◽  
Recall Period ◽  
Percent Agreement ◽  
Drug Utilization Studies ◽  
24 Hour Recall ◽  
High Level ◽  
Continuous Use ◽  
First Interview ◽  
Level Of Agreement

ABSTRACT: Objective: To assess the agreement between three recall periods for self-reported drug use using a 24-hour recall period as reference. Methods: Participants were allocated into three groups with different recall periods of 7, 14 and 30 days and were interviewed at two different times. A 24-hour recall questionnaire was answered during the first interview, and a questionnaire on drug use over the different recall periods tested was answered during the second interview. The agreement between the questionnaires was evaluated using percent agreement and kappa. Results: For continuous drugs, percent agreement varied between 92 and 99% and kappa varied between 0.71 and 0.97 for three periods tested. For drugs of occasional use, percent agreement varied between 63 and 81% and kappa varied between 0.27 and 0.52. The prevalence of drugs, particularly those of occasional use, increases with time. Conclusions: The high level of agreement between the three recall periods suggests that all of them are valid for the investigation of drugs of continuous use.

scholarly journals Revealing the constituents of Egypt’s oldest beer using infrared and mass spectrometry

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed A. Farag ◽  
Moamen M. Elmassry ◽  
Masahiro Baba ◽  
Renée Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Beer Brewing ◽  
Chemical Signatures ◽  
Chemical Determination ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
High Level ◽  
Beer Production ◽  
First Time ◽  
Detailed Chemical

Abstract Previous studies have shown that the Ancient Egyptians used malted wheat and barley as the main ingredients in beer brewing, but the chemical determination of the exact recipe is still lacking. To investigate the constituents of ancient beer, we conducted a detailed IR and GC-MS based metabolite analyses targeting volatile and non-volatile metabolites on the residues recovered from the interior of vats in what is currently the world’s oldest (c. 3600 BCE) installation for large-scale beer production located at the major pre-pharaonic political center at Hierakonpolis, Egypt. In addition to distinguishing the chemical signatures of various flavoring agents, such as dates, a significant result of our analysis is the finding, for the first time, of phosphoric acid in high level probably used as a preservative much like in modern beverages. This suggests that the early brewers had acquired the knowledge needed to efficiently produce and preserve large quantities of beer. This study provides the most detailed chemical profile of an ancient beer using modern spectrometric techniques and providing evidence for the likely starting materials used in beer brewing.

Quality assurance and quality control to ensure durability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Roy ◽  
Tanmoy Guha ◽  
R. Ekambaram
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Service Life ◽  
Performance Standards ◽  
Full Compliance ◽  
Design Build ◽  
Adequate Quality ◽  
Structural Failures ◽  
High Level ◽  
Fundamental Requirement

<p>High level of quality during design, design-build and construction stages is a fundamental requirement to ensure that structure serves its intended purpose. Establishment of a quality assurance manual is prime necessity. Lack of quality control during design, review and approving design drawings are major reasons for structural failures. Designers and design checkers need to work in tandem to ensure more adequate Quality Assurance &amp; Control (QA/QC).</p><p>In structural design Durability is a key parameter and becomes critical for service life of 100/120 years. In design build and construction stages controlling work quality is important to maintain performance standards. Tailor made quality plan for Design-build Contract is essential. Quality procedures, inspection and testing needs implementation in practice to verify full compliance and prevent occurrence of faults and defects towards durability and service life. This paper deals with Quality with special emphasis on durability in design and construction through case studies of design build contracts.</p>

PREVENTION ISSUES OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PRODUCTION-RELATED DISEASES IN MINING INDUSTRY WORKERS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.S. Agzamova ◽  
◽  
N.U. Ibragimova ◽  
Yu.A. Abdieva ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Metallurgical Plant ◽  
Occupational Diseases ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Cardiovascular Pathology ◽  
Dynamic Observation ◽  
High Level ◽  
Medical Examinations ◽  
First Time

Abstract: Protecting and promoting the health of workers in the mining industry is one of the most important problems of occupational pathology and health care. The structure and levels of prevention of occupational diseases are directly dependent on harmful and adverse factors of the production environment and labor process, adequately reflecting the state of production. Purpose: to study the issues of prevention of occupational and production-related diseases of mining and metallurgical plant workers. Research materials and methods: a dynamic observation of the health status of workers in the main industries of the mining and metallurgical plant (800 workers) was carried out. 92 patients with silicosis were examined. Results: Up to 92.8% of first-time occupational diseases are detected during periodic medical examinations. The prevailing sociomatic pathology is cardiovascular pathology, namely, arterial hypertension and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, mainly osteochondrosis of the spine. Prevalence of silicosis was observed in individuals with little professional experience (from 5 years old), young age and primary detection of patients in stage II silicosis, which was accompanied by respiratory failure. Conclusions: The prevention programme developed will ensure a high level of health care in terms of early diagnosis, rehabilitation and secondary prevention of both occupational and occupational diseases.

Innovation in Slovenian tourism organisations

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
Maja Uran Maravić ◽  
Dejan Križaj ◽  
Miha Lesjak
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Main Hypothesis ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Innovation Climate ◽  
High Level ◽  
Innovation Practices ◽  
First Time

The purpose – Slovenian tourism organisations must constantly focus on developing variety innovations for organisations. In this paper, we present a study conducted on innovation practices in Slovenian tourism organisations. Design/methodology – In a survey conducted on Slovenia tourism organisations, we obtained data and identified their innovation performance and the innovation climate in their area of business. There are three main hypothesis tested. Findings – The research sample of 41 organisations found that most innovation in tourism organisations came through the introduction of new services (90%), followed by innovation through new organisational methods (73%), and found a high-level climate for innovation. Worse was its assessment of research activity within organisations and cooperation with external institutions (eg. universities and research institutes) and investment in innovation activities within their research and development. Results obtained from the research showed a mean value for the innovation climate-instrument of 3.83 indicating a high innovation climate for the Slovenian tourism companies included in the sample survey. Mostly, (publicly known as) more innovative active organisations responded to our survey. From such results, we find that tourism organisations included in the survey are aware of the importance of innovation, teaching organisations to communicate well and network with other organisations, are adaptable to change and engaged with their own ideas in support of the organisation's management. Originality of the research – The contribution of the research is that it has applied the generic instrument for measuring innovation climate on tourism and the first time climate is measured in Slovenia.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL STANDARD ON QUALITY CONTROL AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE CHEWING TOBACCO

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Н.П. САМОЙЛЕНКО ◽  
И.Г. КАНДАШКИНА ◽  
Е.В. ГНУЧИХ ◽  
Л.А. МИРНЫХ
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Smokeless Tobacco ◽  
Fractional Composition ◽  
National Standard ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Chewing Tobacco ◽  
Smokeless Tobacco Products ◽  
Technical Specifications ◽  
First Time ◽  
General Technical

Рассмотрены идентификационные признаки некурительных табачных изделий табака жевательного и снюса. Разработан метод определения фракционного состава табака жевательного. На основании научных исследований впервые разработан проект национального стандарта ГОСТ Р Табак жевательный. Общие технические условия, который после утверждения и введения в действие будет использоваться для идентификации этого вида некурительной табачной продукции. The identification signs of smokeless tobacco products: of chewing tobacco and snus are considered. A method for determining the fractional composition of chewing tobacco has been developed. On the basis of scientific research for the first time developed a draft national standard GOST R Chewing tobacco. General technical specifications. After approval and entry into force, this standard will be used to identify types of smokeless tobacco products.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document