Laser Cladding Cermet Coatings on Niobium Substrate

Pure niobium substrates were coated using laser cladding method. Pure molybdenum, Yttria Stabilized Zirkonia (YSZ) and corundum (Al2O3) powders were used as coating materials. Coatings were deposited on specimens as seperate paths with 3÷10mm width and 40mm of length. Two different laser power 3kW and 4kW were tested during deposition. In order to assess the quality of the Mo-YSZ and Mo-Al2O3 coatings, the light microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), chemical analysis (EDS) and Vickers hardness test investigation were performed. The surface roughness and wear volume were also measured. As a result of YSZ-Mo powder cladding on the Nb substrate the composite layers were obtained without cracks and porosity not exceeding 1 μm. In addition, an increase in hardness of about 450 HV0.5 was revealed. As a result of Al2O3-Mo powder cladding on the Nb substrate the composite layers with many voids and cracks were obtained for each of the cladding variants.

ENHANCING PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS MATHEMATICAL MOTIVATION AND INTEREST USING MATH-ISLAND

Over the years, mathematics has assumed a vital part of the educational landscape of every society. Nevertheless, the subject has attracted considerable attention from researchers relating to the observed low performance and suitable approaches to improve outcomes. In this study, a quasi-experimental design was adopted to establish the effect of the Math-Island on primary school students mathematical motivation and interest. A total of eighty-two students with an age range of 7 – 12 years and a mean age of (M=9.12), (SD= 1.22) participated in the study. The samples were grouped into two and were exposed to a pre-test and post-test investigation. Mean and standard deviation scores were used. The independent t-test analysis established a statistically significant difference between the groups, MD = 11.53, t (80) = 6.313, p < 0.05. Thus, the result supported the studys hypothesis. It was concluded that Math-Island is effective in enhancing students mathematics motivation and interest. The study recommends adopting the system in math class and that teachers be regularly trained on using the device for teaching.

O53 Faecal immunochemical testing: cost effective way stratifying symptomatic patients for urgent straight to test investigation

Introduction Quantitative faecal immunochemical test (FIT) offers the opportunity to stratify symptomatic ‘high risk’ colorectal patients for further investigation. Method FIT was introduced in primary care to stratify ‘high risk’ symptomatic patients aged 60 years and above with a change in bowel habit to determine whether an urgent straight to test (STT) CT colonography (CTC) was indicated. All FIT tests were analysed in a national bowel screening hub using the OC-Sensor platform. A result of ≥ 4 μgHb/gFaeces, was used as the cut-off. All FIT results were cross referenced with a prospectively maintained colorectal cancer registry to determine the colorectal cancer detection rate (CRC). Data was analysed from February 2018-December 2019. Result The mean number of total CTC performed per month pre-FIT was 240 (range 185–278) and reduced to 217 (range 183–264) post-implementation (P &lt; 0.05). The number referred under the STT pathway was 167 (range 119–209) reducing to 131 (range 91–153) (P &lt; 0.05), however there was a corresponding rise in the number of non-STT referrals from outpatients 73 (range 44–105) to 85 (range 60–111) (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion FIT has the potential to reduce the burden on secondary care investigations to exclude bowel cancer. Our experience has shown that a conservative FIT level of &lt; 4ug/ml has reduced numbers of STT referrals by 22%. Take-home Message FIT can be used for symptomatic patients with a change in bowel habits to stratify the need for further investigations. Post-implementation, FIT has reduced STT referral rates and reduced the burden placed on secondary care.

ASPHALT EXTRACTION TEST INVESTIGATION: POST AUDIT URGENCY AND THE FOLLOW UPS (CASE STUDY: ROAD SEGMENT MAINTENANCE Ir. SOEKARNO Rd–BATU)

In the most common opinions, the asphalt content test cannot be carried out during the post audit. But there are complaints about the poor quality of hotmix asphalt works in public sector projects from road users. In these cases, auditors must maintain reputation of the Government to accommodate trust in the development that has been done, by carrying out the function of monitoring and evaluating, including in the evaluating of road maintenance work. From visual observations, the the most conditions of routine maintenance work (on the study object) are not good as expected. Also, the test results of the asphalt content in the mixture (extraction) have proven that the quality does not meet the required technical specifications, in where the density value and the mixed asphalt content is 15.24% lower than the allowable tolerance. Under these conditions, auditors can assume that the similarity range of asphalt concrete (AC-WC) quality is still too far from the required specifications. Complaints about the poor quality of hotmix asphalt works must be accommodated by auditors to maintain the image and reputation of the Government in the trust of Regional Development.