Oxidation Behavior and Oxide Transformation of a Pt-Modified Aluminide Coating at Moderate High Temperature

The oxidation performance of a single-phase Pt-modified aluminide coating was assessed in oxidation test at 980 °C in comparison with the single crystal superalloy. The results suggested that the Pt-modified aluminide coating exhibited superior oxidation resistance. During oxidation, the oxide scale formed on bare alloy changed constantly followed by the constitution of the multi-layer scale structure: An outer scale mainly consisted of Cr2O3 + NiCr2O4 + TiO2 with scarce protection, and an internal scale mainly consisted of Al2O3. The thickness of the outer oxide scale increased with time, where the scale became looser and more porous. Meanwhile, the internal scale was discontinuous. Oxygen and nitrogen inwardly diffused into substrate, forming Ta2O5 and TiN particles. In contrast to the complex constitution of oxide scale, a uniform and continuous Al2O3 scale formed on Pt-modified aluminide-coated samples after oxidation at 980 °C for 1500 h, which showed no spallation and cracking. Interestingly, θ-Al2O3 and α-Al2O3 phases remained after such a long oxidation time. It is the relatively lower temperature and the presence of Pt retarded θ-α transformation. The degradation rate from β-NiAl to γ′-Ni3Al was very slow in the coating. The various development of oxide scale on the coating and substrate was individually studied.

Comparison between effectiveness of dentine desensitizer and one bottle self-etch adhesive on dentine hypersensitivity

BACKGROUND: Dentine hypersensitivity is one of the most common chief complaints of patients observed by dentists in their practice. However, there is lack of universal consensus over the selection of reliable treatment modality. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness between dentine desensitizer and self-etch adhesive in patients complaining of moderate to severe dentine hypersensitivity pain. METHODS: A total 254 patients were randomly divided into Group A (Single Bond Universal Agent) and Group B (Seal & Protect Agent) according to the treatment provided. Sensitivity was assessed by means of mechanical (probing) and evaporative (air blast) stimuli. Discomfort Internal Scale (DIS) was explained to patients. DIS scores were recorded after one minute and one month following the application of both agents. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Stratification was done to control confounder and post stratification chi-square test was also applied. RESULT: The statistically significant difference (p= 0.000) in effectiveness between the two groups was observed. The mean discomfort internal scale score at baseline, after 1 minute and after 1 month in Group A was 3.65 ± 0.60, 2.33 ± 0.64 and 0.41 ± 0.71 respectively, while in Group B, it was 3.55 ± 0.58, 2.40 ± 0.62 and 0.72 ± 0.92 respectively. Overall, 86.6% patients observed improvement in dentinal sensitivity in Group A while in Group B only 67.7% patients reported reduction in sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Self-etch adhesive significantly reduces dentin hypersensitivity, immediately after one minute of its application and is effective for a period of one month when compared to desensitizing agent.

Viewing the world through Lucy Corin’s “Eyes of Dogs”

Marie-Laure Ryan, Kenneth Foote, and Maoz Azaryahu pave the way, in Narrating Space/Spatializing Narrative (2016), to think of space in narrative as well as narrative in space. I steer their approach through nonhuman space by examining a narrative traversal of “the mesh,” which is Timothy Morton’s spatial metaphor for human and nonhuman interconnection. “A narrative traversal of the mesh” indicates two distinct aspects of narrative motion, which can be thought of as the motion that occurs within a narrative’s fictional spaces (internal), and as the movement of a narrative through the non-fictional spaces of the mesh (external). A narrative’s internal and external motions suggest that a narrative text is itself an enmeshed pocket of nonhuman space that emulates the meshiness of the space that envelops it. The outcome of each “narrative traversal” is that the text purports to become the mesh, but this outcome registers on two scales – that of the storyworld containing a fictional mesh (the internal scale), and that of the actual, non-fictional mesh containing the storyworld (the external scale). Remarkably, each type of traversal relies on and influences the other, so that the tandem dynamism that obtains between them emerges as my object of inquiry more so than either of them individually. Since a narrative’s spatial situation is precisely that of one nonhuman space within the larger mesh, my reading of Lucy Corin’s short story, “Eyes of Dogs,” engages ultimately with the scalar discrepancy between text and world and concludes that narrative may serve as an extramental shelter from correlationism.

Reliability and Validity of Scores from the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: A commonly used measure of ankle function is the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). To support interpretation of the FAAM, evidence of reliability and validity must be established. Some studies have assessed FAAM scores; however, these studies had small sample sizes, sample characteristics that may limit generalizability, and did not report reliability estimates. These studies were also unable to account for person ability and item difficulty, a unique feature Rasch modeling offers, which is key when attempting to generalize to other populations. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is evidence of reliability and validity for the FAAM ADL and Sport scales, utilizing the Rasch model, in patients who have undergone surgical intervention for the treatment of an ankle injury. Methods: Evidence of reliability and validity were determined utilizing the Rasch measurement model, a special case of item response theory, which has been used to develop new patient reported outcome measures and improve existing measures. This is a widely used technique that may be used as an alternative to classical test theory due to advantages including generalizability across samples, accounting for response options not equally spaced in terms of ability, and identifying poorly functioning items. The scale of interest is measured in terms of item difficulty and generates estimates of locations of individual items (item difficulty) and ability level along a common interval-level scale (log-odds). To identify misfit items, outfit mean-square (MNSQ) and infit MNSQ statistics were assessed. Infit and outfit MNSQ range from 0 to positive infinity (ideal value of 1.0 means observed variance = expected variance; acceptable value range 0.5 -1.7). Person reliability was also reported (analogous to Cronbach’s a). Results: There were 456 patients included in the study(192 females, 264 males)(average age=47.6 years(18-79). Rasch analysis showed good evidence of reliability for FAAM ADL and FAAM Sport scores (Figure 1). Person reliability was 0.87 for FAAM ADL and 0.89 for FAAM Sport. Outfit MNSQ values for FAAM ADL items 11 (Coming Up On Toes) and 10 (Squatting) were high (2.17, 1.96). Item 19 “Light/Moderate Work” was low(0.48), indicating item redundancy. For FAAM Sport, all outfit values (range 0.67 -1.64) were within the acceptable range. For internal scale validity, infit MNSQ values for FAAM ADL items 11 and 10 were high(2.30, 2.05). All other infit values (range 0.61 -1.48) were within the acceptable range. For FAAM Sport, all infit values (range 0.74 -1.65) were within the acceptable range. Conclusion: This study provides good evidence of reliability for FAAM ADL and Sport scores in a wide range of patients who underwent ankle surgery, which may demonstrate wide clinical applicability. Both scales demonstrated good internal scale validity; however, 3 FAAM ADL items may indicate the need for further scale development for use in a diverse ankle population.

Patient preferences for patient participation: Psychometric evaluation of The 4Ps tool in patients with chronic heart or lung disorders

The Patient Preferences for Patient Participation tool (The 4Ps) was developed to aid clinical dialogue and to help patients to 1) depict, 2) prioritise, and 3) evaluate patient participation with 12 pre-set items reiterated in the three sections. An earlier qualitative evaluation of The 4Ps showed promising results. The present study is a psychometric evaluation of The 4Ps in patients with chronic heart or lung disease ( n = 108) in primary and outpatient care. Internal scale validity was evaluated using Rasch analysis, and two weeks test–retest reliability of the three sections using kappa/weighted kappa and a prevalence- and bias-adjusted kappa. The 4Ps tool was found to be reasonably valid with a varied reliability. Proposed amendments are rephrasing of two items, and modifications of the rating scale in Section 2. The 4Ps is suggested for use to increase general knowledge of patient participation, but further studies are needed with regards to its implementation.

Identifikasi Komponen Model Pelatihan Pedagogi untuk Meningkatkan Profesionalitas Calon Guru Kejuruan

This study aims to develop the components of a pedagogical training model to improve the professionalism of prospective vocational teachers. This study is planned to be undertaken in three years.In the first year it was generated the components and their pedagogical training model tests in the internal scale of Jakarta State University. This study uses a quantitative method that lasted for three years. The determined outcomes of the study in the first year, the second year and the third year are the identification of the components, the model of training pedagogy and the effectiveness evaluation of the model by integrating the prerequisit pedagogical subjects. It will give impacts to the students who has completed the pedagocical course. They will have pedagogic competence to improve their pedagogical professionalism. This study uses the design of research and development by adopting the model of vocational training (skill training for the job). The subjects of the study were the students of the Faculty of Engineering, Jakarta State University. The arranged procedure of the study in the first year consists of: (1) the study of literature, (2) the data collection and the triangulation of data, (3) the description and the analysis of the data. The achieved target in the first year was the identification of the components of pedagogical training model.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan komponen model pelatihan pedagogi untuk meningkatkan profesionalitas calon guru kejuruan. Studi ini direncanakan akan memerlukan waktu tiga tahun. Pada tahun pertama dihasilkan komponen model pelatihan pedagogik beserta ujicoba pada skala internal UNJ. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif yang berdurasi selama tiga tahun. Luaran penelitian pada tahun pertama adalah identifikasi komponen model pelatihan pedagogik, tahun kedua menghasilkan model pelatihan pedagogi dan tahun ketiga menguji efektivitas model dengan mengintegrasikan mata kuliah kependidikan yang bersifat prerequisit sehingga setiap mahasiswa yang telah menyelesaikan matakuliah kependidikan akan memiliki kompetensi pedagogik yang dapat meningkatkan profesionalitas keguruannya.Penelitian ini menggunakan desain research and development dengan mengadopsi model latihan keterampilan kerja (skill training for the job). Subyek penelitian adalah mahasiswa di Fakultas Teknik Universitas Negeri Jakarta. Tahun pertama menempuh alur sebagai berikut: (1) studi literatur, (2) pengumpulan data lapangan dan triangulasi data, (3) deskripsi dan analisis temuan terhadap komponen model pembelajaran yang terdapat pada pendidikan kejuruan. Target yang dicapai pada tahun pertama yaitu identifikasi komponen model pelatihan pedagogik.