Air seal performance of personalized and statistically shaped 3D-printed face masks compared with market-available surgical and FFP2 masks

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has revealed alarming shortages of personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare professionals and the general public. Therefore, a 3D-printable mask frame was developed, and its air seal performance was evaluated and compared. Personalized masks (PM) based on individual face scans (n = 8) and a statistically shaped mask (SSM) based on a standardized facial soft tissue shape computed from 190 face scans were designed. Subsequently, the masks were additively manufactured, and in a second step, the PM and SSM were compared to surgical masks (SM) and FFP2 masks (FFP2) in terms of air seal performance. 3D-printed face models allowed for air leakage evaluation by measuring the pressure inside the mask in sealed and unsealed conditions during a breathing simulation. The PM demonstrated the lowest leak flow (p < 0.01) of inspired or expired unfiltered air of approximately 10.4 ± 16.4%, whereas the SM showed the highest (p < 0.01) leakage with 84.9 ± 7.7%. The FFP2 and SSM had similar values of 34.9 ± 18.5% leakage (p > 0.68). The developed framework allows for the time- and resource-efficient, on-demand, and in-house production of masks. For the best seal performance, an individually personalized mask design might be recommended.

Process parameter determination for small recycling plants for the production of filament for FFF printing using the Taguchi method

With the increasing use of the filament fabrication process, the in-house production of filament and the recycling of PLA waste is becoming more and more important. Small desktop filament extruders with associated peripherals enable small businesses and private users to carry out these recycling processes. Determing the right process parameters is of crucial importance here. These are usually only issued by the polymer manufacturer and the machine manufacturer. However, the development of own process parameters is important for new polymer compounds, as well as polymers with unknown manufacturers, as is typical in recycling. The common Taguchi method, which is used for process optimisation within the FFF process, was also used in this article to produce improved parameter sets for the production of filament using a single screw extruder (3devo Precision) with four heating zones. In this experimental field, the Taguchi method did not prove promising. Due to the small dimensions and compact design of such desktop filament extrusion machines, it was found that the setting parameters cannot be considered independently. The main parameters influencing the process were identified as the extruder screw speed, the cooling capacity and the temperature of the heating coil at the hopper. Nevertheless, parameter sets for PLA pellets and recycled PLA could be developed which have a better performance in terms of homogeneity of the diameter over time compared to the previously available parameter sets.

Are radiopharmaceuticals self-sterilizing? Radiation effect of gallium-68 and lutetium-177 on bacillus pumilus and staphylococcus succinus

Background For radiopharmaceuticals, aseptic preparation in combination with filtration is the most commonly used sterilizing method. In general, the production of radiopharmaceuticals needs to fulfil the requirements of good manufacturing practice. In the scope of this work, we focused on the positron emitter gallium-68 and on the therapeutically used beta- and gamma-emitter lutetium-177, as they are routinely used for in-house synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine departments. Our hypothesis is, that radiopharmaceuticals might be self-sterilizing due to a high radioactivity concentration and high-energy radionuclides in the preparation for intravenous injections. Results Incubation with gallium-68 and lutetium-177 for both 30 minutes and 5 hours post-dispensing did not cause any significant effect on bacteria growth. As the theoretical dose is only 0.1–0.6 % of the Ph. Eur. recommended dose of 25 kGy, we conclude that the beta and positron energy of lutetium-177 and gallium-68 as used for standard radiopharmaceutical in-house production is not sufficient to decrease the number of colony forming units compared to the control values. Conclusions Based on these findings, gallium-68 and lutetium-177 labeled radiopharmaceuticals are not self-sterilizing under the tested conditions with respect to bacillus pumilus and staphylococcus succinus. Consequently, strict aseptic preparation conditions in addition to end-sterilization of the radiopharmaceutical e.g. through membrane filtration are strongly advised for in-house productions.

Re-municipalization of local public services: incidence, causes and prospects

Since the turn of the century, a global trend of re-municipalization has emerged, with cities reversing earlier privatizations and returning infrastructure and public service delivery to the public sector. The reversal of privatization measures is not an entirely new phenomenon. In the US, for example, returning public services to in-house production has been a long-standing feature of ‘pragmatic public management’. However, many cases of re-municipalization that have occurred since the early 2000s represent a distinctive shift from earlier privatization policies. High-profile cases in cities including Paris and Hamburg have thrust re-municipalization into the limelight as they have followed public campaigns motivated by dissatisfaction with the results of privatization and a desire to restore public control of vital services, such as water and energy. Just as the reform of public services towards privatization spawned a vast body of scholarship, the current re-municipalization phenomenon is increasingly attracting the attention of scholars from a number of disciplinary perspectives. The articles contained in this symposium contribute to this emerging literature. They address some of the burning issues relating to re-municipalization, but they also point to issues yet to be resolved and shed light on a research agenda that is still taking shape.

In-depth study of Netflix’s original content of fictional series. Forms, styles and trends in the new streaming scene

This article presents an analysis of the original content of fictional series created by one of the leading companies in the streaming television market, Netflix. This work aims at offering an in-depth study of the original series of the company Netflix, which will allow to classify these contents according to their strategic nature and, secondly, to offer a formal taxonomic overview on them. In addition, their forms, formats, languages, genres and thematic descriptors are analysed in order to establish a taxonomy for the classification of Netflix’s original content. To this end, this article is based on a quantitative method with qualitative contributions, adopting a descriptive but also exploratory approach. Its sample is made up of 490 series available on the Spanish version of the platform from its beginning in 2013 to 2019. The results lead to find a commitment to the production of fictional series with a global nature, but also focused on the local through alliances and productive methods with local businesses. Furthermore, the importance of in-house production as a present and medium-term future strategy is highlighted, together with the commitment to the division of production languages, considering local languages as a resource for the acceptance of the products. As for the predominant formats, a new trend marks how new audiovisual products are created by focusing, among other things, on reducing the duration and longevity of the series broadcast by the company.

Optimasi Jumlah Produksi dan Biaya Distribusi UMKM Semprong Amoundy Menggunakan Metode Simpleks dan Algoritma Greedy

Production optimization must be considered in order to get the optimal amount of production, which is related to company profit. In addition, the distribution route that is not optimal will also cause production costs to expand. These two things are the main problems faced by Semprong Amoundy MSMEs that have not paid attention to optimization of production and optimization of distribution routes. The purpose of this research is to find the optimal solution of the number and type of semprong production to maximize the income of Amoundy MSMEs, and to find a solution for the shortest distribution route to minimize distribution costs of semprong products. The method used to solve this problem is Simplex Method and Travelling Salesman Problem with the Greedy Algorithm approach. The research resulted the decision that Amoundy MSMEs had to produce 18 boxes of large packaged semprong every day to generate maximum income. The distribution route that must be taken to minimize distribution costs is Amoundy House Production – Bontot Delajaya Shop – Erik Shop – Denpasar Shop – Aneka Shop – Oleh-oleh Karawang Outlet – Amoundy House Production, estimated distribution cost of Rp. 20.120,-.Optimasi produksi perlu diperhatikan agar didapatkan jumlah produksi yang optimal, yang mana hal ini akan berhubungan dengan profit perusahaan. Selain itu rute distribusi yang belum optimal juga akan menyebabkan pembengkakan biaya produksi. Kedua hal ini merupakan masalah utama yang dihadapi oleh UMKM Semprong Amoundy yang belum memperhatikan optimasi produksi dan optimasi rute distribusi. Tujuan dilakukannya penelitian ini yaitu untuk mencari solusi optimal dari jumlah dan jenis produksi semprong untuk memaksimalkan pendapatan UMKM Amoundy, serta mencari solusi rute distribusi terpendek untuk meminimalkan biaya pendistribusian produk semprong. Metode yang digunakan untuk adalah Metode simpleks dan Travelling Salesman Problem dengan pendekatan algoritma greedy. Penelitian menghasilkan keputusan bahwa UMKM Amoundy harus memproduksi 18 box kue semprong kemasan besar setiap hari untuk menghasilkan pendapatan maksimal. Rute distribusi yang harus ditempuh untuk meminimalkan biaya distribusi yaitu Rumah Produksi Amoundy – Toko Bontot Delajaya – Toko Erik – Toko Denpasar – Toko Aneka – Outlet Oleh-oleh Karawang – Rumah Produksi Amoundy dengan taksiran biaya distribusi sebesar Rp. 20.120,-.

COST EFFECTIVE IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND EVALUATION OF CEPHALOSPORINS AND METFORMIN

The report deals with understanding the problems that have arisen in the Pharmaceuticalindustry and the classes of drugs which are suffering the brunt of Chinese influx in the Indianmarket. Since our thrust area itself has to deal with the problems being faced by thepharmaceutical industry and the lack of self- reliance when it comes to APIs, we first decidedto go with official government data of the APIs being imported from China and workcommenced from there. Based on government data, market share, consumption, pricing ofdrugs and import reports, we selected two drugs, one being an anti-bacterial drug whichrequires fermentation namely, cephalosporins and the other being a well-known anti-diabeticdrug, Metformin. Currently, we are looking at the various technologies being used in producingthe two drugs which were shortlisted and, we’ll be further finding out the loopholes in thesystem and fixing it or suggesting novel techniques to make the Indian Pharmaceutical industrya powerhouse. Both cephalosporins and metformin have been majorly imported from Chinadue to several loopholes in producing them here in India and to add to it, the strategic pricingemployed by the Chinese manufacturers gives them an edge over indigenous products. Themanufacturing processes and regulations for both cephalosporins and metformin, need toundergo an overhaul in order to compete with giants like China and thus displace them fromtheir position of number 1 in this field. Finding loopholes in the technology and regulatoryfactors, suggesting novel technologies or improvements within current processes andperforming a detailed cost analysis.

Organizing municipal audit: contracting out and audit costs in Norway

PurposeThis paper analyses the deregulation of the municipal audit market in Norway, in particular how organization of the service affected audit costs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses multiple regression analysis of administrative as well as survey data of organizational structure and audit costs from 312 municipalities in Norway in 2012.FindingsThe introduction of contracting out in the municipal audit market in Norway in 2004 contributed to a reduction in audit fees eight years after the deregulation, compared to the situation four years before the deregulation. The type of audit, mixing inter-municipal co-operation and contracting private auditors, was related to lower costs.Research limitations/implicationsThe data does not include audit quality and are restricted to one country.Practical implicationsThe municipalities that combined inter-municipal co-operation and contracting a private auditor achieved the lowest costs. Hence, neither pure in-house production (“make”) nor outsourcing (“buy”) but mixing several governance forms (hybrid organization) was related to low costs.Social implicationsContracting out is a core element of new public management (NPM) but has often been a contested tool in public policy. This paper provides empirical evidence on the effects of a reform of a professional service, which is relevant for many services in the public sector.Originality/valueThis paper contributes by filling some of the gaps in the public sector accounting and public management reform literature by studying the organization and costs of the municipal audit, specifically by including transaction costs, addressing plural governance forms in addition to pure in-house production, inter-organizational co-operation and market contracting and by studying long-term effects.