Teaching the Impact of Fracture Mechanics on Materials Characterization and Quality Control

Author(s):  
Erin Polka ◽  
Ellen Childs ◽  
Alexa Friedman ◽  
Kathryn S. Tomsho ◽  
Birgit Claus Henn ◽  
...  

Sharing individualized results with health study participants, a practice we and others refer to as “report-back,” ensures participant access to exposure and health information and may promote health equity. However, the practice of report-back and the content shared is often limited by the time-intensive process of personalizing reports. Software tools that automate creation of individualized reports have been built for specific studies, but are largely not open-source or broadly modifiable. We created an open-source and generalizable tool, called the Macro for the Compilation of Report-backs (MCR), to automate compilation of health study reports. We piloted MCR in two environmental exposure studies in Massachusetts, USA, and interviewed research team members (n = 7) about the impact of MCR on the report-back process. Researchers using MCR created more detailed reports than during manual report-back, including more individualized numerical, text, and graphical results. Using MCR, researchers saved time producing draft and final reports. Researchers also reported feeling more creative in the design process and more confident in report-back quality control. While MCR does not expedite the entire report-back process, we hope that this open-source tool reduces the barriers to personalizing health study reports, promotes more equitable access to individualized data, and advances self-determination among participants.


2022 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 270-285
Author(s):  
Tiago Coito ◽  
Miguel S.E. Martins ◽  
Bernardo Firme ◽  
João Figueiredo ◽  
Susana M. Vieira ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 429 ◽  
pp. 119937
Author(s):  
Paola Valentino ◽  
Serena Martire ◽  
Fabiana Marnetto ◽  
Luca Mirabile ◽  
Antonio Bertolotto

Trudy MAI ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrey Dement`ev ◽  
Anton Bannikov ◽  
Konstantin Arsen`ev ◽  
Alexey Shiryaev ◽  
Alexey Basak

2018 ◽  
Vol 279 ◽  
pp. 64-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Wagner ◽  
Panos Skandamis ◽  
Franz Allerberger ◽  
Dagmar Schoder ◽  
Caroline Lassnig ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Philippe Saliou ◽  
Lila Calmettes ◽  
Hervé Le Bars ◽  
Christopher Payan ◽  
Valérie Narbonne ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Microbiological surveillance of bronchoscopes and automatic endoscope reprocessors (AERs)/washer disinfectors as a quality control measure is controversial. Experts also are divided on the infection risks associated with bronchoscopic procedures. Objective: We evaluated the impact of routine microbiological surveillance and audits of cleaning/disinfection practices on contamination rates of reprocessed bronchoscopes. Design: Audits were conducted of reprocessing procedures and microbiological surveillance on all flexible bronchoscopes used from January 2007 to June 2020 at a teaching hospital in France. Contamination rates per year were calculated and analyzed using a Poisson regression model. The risk factors for microbiological contamination were analyzed using a multivariable logistical regression model. Results: In total, 478 microbiological tests were conducted on 91 different bronchoscopes and 57 on AERs. The rate of bronchoscope contamination significantly decreased between 2007 and 2020, varying from 30.2 to 0% (P < .0001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that retesting after a previous contaminated test was significantly associated with higher risk of bronchoscope contamination (OR, 2.58; P = .015). This finding was explained by the persistence of microorganisms in bronchoscopes despite repeated disinfections. However, the risk of persistent contamination was not associated with the age of the bronchoscope. Conclusions: Our results confirm that bronchoscopes can remain contaminated despite repeated reprocessing. Routine microbial testing of bronchoscopes for quality assurance and audit of decontamination and disinfection procedures can improve the reprocessing of bronchoscopes and minimize the rate of persistent contamination.


2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Greenwood

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is the principal code under which building approvals in Australia are assessed. The BCA adopted performance-based solutions for building approvals in 1996. Performance-based codes are based upon a set of explicit objectives, stated in terms of a hierarchy of requirements beginning with key general objectives. With this in mind, the research presented in this paper aims to analyse the impact of the introduction of the performance-based code within Western Australia to gauge the effect and usefulness of alternative design solutions in commercial construction using a case study project. The research revealed that there are several advantages to the use of alternative designs and that all parties, in general, are in favour of the performance-based building code of Australia. It is suggested that change in the assessment process to streamline the alternative design path is needed for the greater use of the performance-based alternative. With appropriate quality control measures, minor variations to the deemed-to-satisfy provisions could easily be managed by the current and future building surveying profession.


2019 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 801-809
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina Kogawa ◽  
Ana Elisa Della Torre Pires ◽  
Hérida Regina Nunes Salgado

Abstract Background: Atorvastatin, a lipid-regulating drug, was the best-selling drug in the world in the early 2000s. Thus, monitoring of this drug is important because it is accessible to a large portion of the population. In addition, its quality control is fundamental to provide quality medicines. Method of analysis can be the first step in the rational use of pharmaceuticals. Objective/Methods: In this context, a critical review of analytical methods present in the literature and official compendia for the pharmaceutical quality control of atorvastatin was made. Results: Among the analytical methods most used in the evaluation of atorvastatin, HPLC is highlighted, followed by HPLC coupled to MS, and spectrophotometry in UV. Tablets are the most studied pharmaceutical samples, and plasma is the most studied biological matrix. In the literature, studies with atorvastatin-based pharmaceutical products are more common than biological materials. Acetonitrile is the organic solvent most commonly used in the methods surveyed to evaluate atorvastatin. Conclusions: Currently, awareness of the impact that the analytical choice has on the health of the operator and the environment is growing. Therefore, the suitability of existing methods for the determination of atorvastatin can be made to adhere to the current analytical chemistry. In this way, the analytical, environmental, and human consciousness will remain united. Highlights: Although the literature shows interesting methods from an economic and environmental point of view, such as UV, Vis miniaturized, and TLC, they can still be improved to meet the requirements of the current sustainable analytical chemistry.


Author(s):  
Soheil Nazarian ◽  
Deren Yuan ◽  
Mark R. Baker

Coring is normally done to monitor the thickness and quality of portland cement concrete (PCC) slabs during construction. Because this procedure requires a considerable amount of time, it is done at widely spaced intervals. As a result, the most critical points, in terms of strength or thickness, are sometimes not tested. Their repeatability and extreme sensitivity to the properties of surface layer enable wave propagation techniques to be used for quality control. The main advantage of these techniques is that they are nondestructive. Fortunately, these techniques have been automated in the last few years. Two seismic devices (seismic pavement analyzer and a portable version of it called the Lunch Box) have been used extensively for quality control. With them, slabs can be tested at closely spaced points and at a fraction of the cost and time of coring. The main tests used are the impact echo for determining the thickness of the slab, the ultrasonic body wave for determining the modulus, and the ultrasonic surface wave (an offshoot of the spectral analysis of surface waves method) also for determining the modulus. On the basis of extensive field testing on many types of base and subgrade, the techniques in general—and the two devices in particular—are suitable for many quality-control projects. It was found that the most robust method for determining the modulus is the ultrasonic surface wave. The impact echo also works well, as long as enough contrast exists between the properties of the PCC and the underlying materials.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document