scholarly journals Simplified, Cost Effective, and Accurate Calculation of Critical Wavelength via the MATLAB Software

Author(s):  
Camille Keisha Mahendra ◽  
Cayvern Kishen Mahendra ◽  
Priyia Pusparajah ◽  
Thet-Thet Htar ◽  
Lay-Hong Chuah ◽  
...  

The use of sunscreens in our daily lives to reduce UV exposure on our skin is a good measure against photoaging. However, the current active ingredients in the market are not able to cover the entire spectrum range of UVA and UVB. Therefore, broader spectrum compounds are constantly being searched by cosmetic companies to replace the commercially available UV filters. In this study, an experimental model utilizing the MATLAB software was developed to measure a compound’s critical wavelength (λc). The purpose of this research was to ease the cost and speed up the screening of bioactive compounds for photoprotective properties while maintaining accuracy in the process. In this paper, the measurement of caffeic acid, gallic acid, and pinocembrin’s critical wavelength in the MATLAB software was explained in a step-by-step guide. This was done to create an understandable and executable procedure for future researchers to utilize. Subsequently, from the results, the critical wavelength of caffeic acid, gallic acid, and pinocembrin was 378.2nm, 324.6nm, and 364.8nm, respectively. This shows that caffeic acid has the broadest absorbance spectrum, followed by pinocembrin, and finally gallic acid. Thus, it may be possible that caffeic acid might have stronger photoprotective abilities as compared to pinocembrin and gallic acid, based on its critical wavelength.

Author(s):  
James F. Mancuso

IBM PC compatible computers are widely used in microscopy for applications ranging from control to image acquisition and analysis. The choice of IBM-PC based systems over competing computer platforms can be based on technical merit alone or on a number of factors relating to economics, availability of peripherals, management dictum, or simple personal preference.IBM-PC got a strong “head start” by first dominating clerical, document processing and financial applications. The use of these computers spilled into the laboratory where the DOS based IBM-PC replaced mini-computers. Compared to minicomputer, the PC provided a more for cost-effective platform for applications in numerical analysis, engineering and design, instrument control, image acquisition and image processing. In addition, the sitewide use of a common PC platform could reduce the cost of training and support services relative to cases where many different computer platforms were used. This could be especially true for the microscopists who must use computers in both the laboratory and the office.


Phlebologie ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (06) ◽  
pp. 309-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Schulz ◽  
M. Jünger ◽  
M. Hahn

Summary Objective: The goal of the study was to assess the effectiveness and patient tolerability of single-session, sonographically guided, transcatheter foam sclerotherapy and to evaluate its economic impact. Patients, methods: We treated 20 patients with a total of 22 varicoses of the great saphenous vein (GSV) in Hach stage III-IV, clinical stage C2-C5 and a mean GSV diameter of 9 mm (range: 7 to 13 mm). We used 10 ml 3% Aethoxysklerol®. Additional varicoses of the auxiliary veins of the GSV were sclerosed immediately afterwards. Results: The occlusion rate in the treated GSVs was 100% one week after therapy as demonstrated with duplex sonography. The cost of the procedure was 207.91 E including follow-up visit, with an average loss of working time of 0.6 days. After one year one patient showed clinical signs of recurrent varicosis in the GSV; duplex sonography showed reflux in the region of the saphenofemoral junction in a total of seven patients (32% of the treated GSVs). Conclusion: Transcatheter foam sclerotherapy of the GSV is a cost-effective, safe method of treating varicoses of GSV and broadens the spectrum of therapeutic options. Relapses can be re-treated inexpensively with sclerotherapy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 260-266
Author(s):  
Haru Purnomo Ipung ◽  
Amin Soetomo

This research proposed a model to assist the design of the associated data architecture and data analytic to support talent forecast in the current accelerating changes in economy, industry and business change due to the accelerating pace of technological change. The emerging and re-emerging economy model were available, such as Industrial revolution 4.0, platform economy, sharing economy and token economy. Those were driven by new business model and technology innovation. An increase capability of technology to automate more jobs will cause a shift in talent pool and workforce. New business model emerge as the availabilityand the cost effective emerging technology, and as a result of emerging or re-emerging economic models. Both, new business model and technology innovation, create new jobs and works that have not been existed decades ago. The future workers will be faced by jobs that may not exist today. A dynamics model of inter-correlation of economy, industry, business model and talent forecast were proposed. A collection of literature review were conducted to initially validate the model.


The choice of cost-effective method of anticorrosive protection of steel structures is an urgent and time consuming task, considering the significant number of protection ways, differing from each other in the complex of technological, physical, chemical and economic characteristics. To reduce the complexity of solving this problem, the author proposes a computational tool that can be considered as a subsystem of computer-aided design and used at the stage of variant and detailed design of steel structures. As a criterion of the effectiveness of the anti-corrosion protection method, the cost of the protective coating during the service life is accepted. The analysis of existing methods of steel protection against corrosion is performed, the possibility of their use for the protection of the most common steel structures is established, as well as the estimated period of effective operation of the coating. The developed computational tool makes it possible to choose the best method of protection of steel structures against corrosion, taking into account the operating conditions of the protected structure and the possibility of using a protective coating.


Author(s):  
W. C. Solomon ◽  
M. T. Lilly ◽  
J. I. Sodiki

The development and evaluation of brake pads using groundnut shell (GS) particles as substitute material for asbestos were carried out in this study. This was with a view to harnessing the properties of GS, which is largely deposited as waste, and in replacing asbestos which is carcinogenic in nature despite its good tribological and mechanical properties. Two sets of composite material were developed using varying particle sizes of GS as filler material, with phenolic resin as binder with percentage compositions of 45% and 50% respectively. Results obtained indicate that the compressive strength and density increase as the sieve size of the filler material decreases, while water and oil absorption rates increase with an increase in sieve size of GS particle. This study also indicates that the cost of producing brake pad can be reduced by 19.14 percent if GS is use as filler material in producing brake pad. The results when compared with those of asbestos and industrial waste showed that GS particle can be used as an effective replacement for asbestos in producing automobile brake pad. Unlike asbestos, GS-based brake pads are environmental friendly, biodegradable and cost effective.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (4) ◽  
pp. 7-22
Author(s):  
Georges Bridel ◽  
Zdobyslaw Goraj ◽  
Lukasz Kiszkowiak ◽  
Jean-Georges Brévot ◽  
Jean-Pierre Devaux ◽  
...  

Abstract Advanced jet training still relies on old concepts and solutions that are no longer efficient when considering the current and forthcoming changes in air combat. The cost of those old solutions to develop and maintain combat pilot skills are important, adding even more constraints to the training limitations. The requirement of having a trainer aircraft able to perform also light combat aircraft operational mission is adding unnecessary complexity and cost without any real operational advantages to air combat mission training. Thanks to emerging technologies, the JANUS project will study the feasibility of a brand-new concept of agile manoeuvrable training aircraft and an integrated training system, able to provide a live, virtual and constructive environment. The JANUS concept is based on a lightweight, low-cost, high energy aircraft associated to a ground based Integrated Training System providing simulated and emulated signals, simulated and real opponents, combined with real-time feedback on pilot’s physiological characteristics: traditionally embedded sensors are replaced with emulated signals, simulated opponents are proposed to the pilot, enabling out of sight engagement. JANUS is also providing new cost effective and more realistic solutions for “Red air aircraft” missions, organised in so-called “Aggressor Squadrons”.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A. Morosanova ◽  
Anton S. Fedorov ◽  
Elena I. Morosanova

Background: The consumption of antioxidants, including phenolic compounds, is considered important for preventing the oxidative damage diseases and ageing. The total polyphenol content (TPC) is the parameter used to estimate the quality of plant-derived products. Methods: Phenol oxidase activity of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) crude extract (in the presence of hydrogen peroxide) and banana (Musa sp.) pulp crude extract has been studied spectrophotometrically using catechol, gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and quercetin as substrates. All studied compounds have been oxidized in the presence of green bean crude extract and hydrogen peroxide; all studied compounds except ferulic acid have been oxidized in the presence of banana pulp crude extract. Michaelis constants (Km) and maximum reaction rates (Vmax) have been determined for oxidation in the presence of green bean crude extract and hydrogen peroxide (Km are 3.8×10-4 M, 1.6×10-3 M, 2.2×10-4 M, 2.3×10-4 M, 1.4×10-4 M and Vmax are 0.046 min-1, 0.102 min-1, 0.185 min-1, 0.053 min-1, 0.041 min-1 for catechol, gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and quercetin, respectively) and for oxidation in the presence of banana pulp crude extract (Km are 1.6×10-3 M, 3.8×10-3 M, 2.2×10-3 M, 4.2×10-4 M and Vmax are 0.058 min-1, 0.025 min-1, 0.027 min-1, 0.015 min-1 for catechol, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and quercetin, respectively). The influence of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) on the oxidation reactions kinetics has been studied: Michaelis constants values decrease and maximum reaction rates increase, which contributes to the increase in sensitivity of the determination. Results: Kinetic procedures of Total Polyphenol Content (TPC) determination using crude plants extracts in the presence of MBTH have been proposed (time of analysis is 1 min). For gallic acid (used as a standard for TPC determination) detection limit is 5.3×10-5 M, quantitation limit is 1.8×10-4 M, and linear range is 1.8×10-4 - 1.3×10-3 M for green bean crude extract; detection limit is 2.9×10-5 M, quantitation limit is 9.5×10-5 M, and linear range is 9.5×10-5 - 2.4×10-3 M for banana pulp crude extract. Proposed procedures are characterized by higher interference thresholds for sulfites, ascorbic acid, and citric acid compared to pure enzymes (horseradish peroxidase and mushroom tyrosinase) in the same conditions. Compared with standard Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) method the procedures described in this work are also characterized by less interference and more rapid determination. Conclusion: The procedures have been applied to TPC determination in tea, coffee, and wine samples. The results agree with the FC method for tea and coffee samples and are lower for wine samples, probably, due to sulfites interference.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G Koch

Current estimates of obesity costs ignore the impact of future weight loss and gain, and may either over or underestimate economic consequences of weight loss. In light of this, I construct static and dynamic measures of medical costs associated with body mass index (BMI), to be balanced against the cost of one-time interventions. This study finds that ignoring the implications of weight loss and gain over time overstates the medical-cost savings of such interventions by an order of magnitude. When the relationship between spending and age is allowed to vary, weight-loss attempts appear to be cost-effective starting and ending with middle age. Some interventions recently proven to decrease weight may also be cost-effective.


Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 707
Author(s):  
Afifah Machlaurin ◽  
Franklin Christiaan Karel Dolk ◽  
Didik Setiawan ◽  
Tjipke Sytse van der Werf ◽  
Maarten J. Postma

Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG), the only available vaccine for tuberculosis (TB), has been applied for decades. The Indonesian government recently introduced a national TB disease control programme that includes several action plans, notably enhanced vaccination coverage, which can be strengthened through underpinning its favourable cost-effectiveness. We designed a Markov model to assess the cost-effectiveness of Indonesia’s current BCG vaccination programme. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were evaluated from the perspectives of both society and healthcare. The robustness of the analysis was confirmed through univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA). Using epidemiological data compiled for Indonesia, BCG vaccination at a price US$14 was estimated to be a cost-effective strategy in controlling TB disease. From societal and healthcare perspectives, ICERs were US$104 and US$112 per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), respectively. The results were robust for variations of most variables in the univariate analysis. Notably, the vaccine’s effectiveness regarding disease protection, vaccination costs, and case detection rates were key drivers for cost-effectiveness. The PSA results indicated that vaccination was cost-effective even at US$175 threshold in 95% of cases, approximating the monthly GDP per capita. Our findings suggest that this strategy was highly cost-effective and merits prioritization and extension within the national TB programme. Our results may be relevant for other high endemic low- and middle-income countries.


1999 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 332-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A Crocket ◽  
Eric YL Wong ◽  
Dale C Lien ◽  
Khanh Gia Nguyen ◽  
Michelle R Chaput ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the yield and cost effectiveness of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in the assessment of mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy.DESIGN: Retrospective study.SETTING: A university hospital.POPULATION STUDIED: Ninety-six patients referred for bronchoscopy with computed tomographic evidence of significant mediastinal or hilar adenopathy.RESULTS: Ninety-nine patient records were reviewed. Three patients had two separate bronchoscopy procedures. TBNA was positive in 42 patients (44%) and negative in 54 patients. Of the 42 patients with a positive aspirate, 40 had malignant cytology and two had cells consistent with benign disease. The positive TBNA result altered management in 22 of 40 patients with malignant disease and one of two patients with benign disease, thereby avoiding further diagnostic procedures. The cost of these subsequent procedures was estimated at $27,335. No complications related to TBNA were documented.CONCLUSIONS: TBNA is a high-yield, safe and cost effective procedure for the diagnosis and staging of bronchogenic cancer.


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