Crestbond shear connector for load transfer on concrete filled composite columns in fire

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a numerical study of the Crestbond shear connector, characterized by a steel plate with regular cuttings, when used as a load transfer element in concrete filled composite columns in fire. The developed numerical model was calibrated with experimental results of composite columns in fire and later the load transfer devices were inserted. Numerical analyzes were performed with the software Abaqus and comprised the variation of the composite column diameter and of the loading levels, as well as the comparison with the results obtained when is used a through steel plate without cuttings (Shear Flat) as a load transfer device. With the analyzes performed, it was observed that the Crestbond shear connector and the Shear Flat present very similar thermomechanical performance in relation to the load transfer capacity. Thus, the Crestbond shear connector has the potential to be applied alternatively to the Shear Flat as a load transfer device in concrete filled composite columns, with the advantage of the possibility of associate use of longitudinal and manly transverse reinforcement.

Wireless Power Transfer Device Based on RF Energy Circuit and Transformer Coupling Procedure

It is possible to transmit electricity wirelessly without the need for cables. Wireless power transmission makes it possible to link remote places that would otherwise be cut off from access to reliable electricity. A wireless connection to the power supply is expected in the future. This study describes the experimental results of Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) utilizing a transformer coupling approach and its future potential. This WPT device (WPTD) is used to transmit power using two procedures of energy transfer: radiofrequency coupling and transformer coupling, both of which are magnetic based, in principle. The distance between the transmitter and receiver of the system affects the amount of power that can be sent. Research is performed to establish how far apart the system's transmitter and receiver should be. Magnetic fields may transmit energy between two coils, but the distance between the two coils must be too close for this approach to work. Aside from that, it assesses the setting parameter of a value that has been tabulated using a certain application, in the findings and discussion parts.

Integrity performance assessment of a Closed System Transfer Device syringe adaptor as a terminal closure for Luer-Lock syringes.

Objectives To investigate the container closure integrity of a Closed System Transfer Device syringe adaptor lock in combination with disposable Luer-Lock syringes as the terminal closure device. The UK NHS Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance committee requires syringe integrity data for final storage devices of aseptic products such as chemotherapy drugs when prepared in advance and stored prior to use as is standard practice for dose banded drugs. The assessment comprised both physical and microbial integrity testing of the combination closed system/ Luer-Lock syringes containers at syringe sizes: 1mL, 20mL, and 50mL. Methods Integrity testing was performed as described in the NHS Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Committee Yellow Cover Document 2nd edition 2013 with ChemfortTM (Simplivia, IL) syringe adaptor lock devices as replacement for sterile blind hubs. Microbiological integrity was assessed according to Method 1 part 1.4 using Brevundimonas diminuta at 32oC for up to 14-days contact time. Physical integrity was assessed using Method 3 of the yellow cover document which is a dye intrusion method. Dye intrusion was assessed both visually and using a validated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer method. Results ChemfortTM syringe adaptor lock/ Luer-Lock syringe combinations were shown to be: (1) free of microbiological contamination after 14-days contact time, (2) free of dye intrusion at all syringe sizes tested (n=61 in total). The data demonstrates 100% closure integrity of the final container system when ChemfortTM syringe adaptor lock replaces the syringe hub as the terminal closure device. Conclusions Syringe adaptor lock components complied with the NHS Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Committee Yellow Cover Document syringe integrity requirements when used as the terminal closure of Luer-Lock disposable syringes from 1mL up to 50mL. Therefore, syringe adaptor lock (ChemfortTM) can be used as the terminal closure system for pre-filled syringes of chemotherapeutic drug products prepared in advance in UK NHS Pharmaceutical Technical Services.

Evaluation of chemotherapy preparation processes: Volumetric method reliability and gravimetric method utility within 5 US hospitals

Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles , AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose The primary aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the volumetric method for intravenous (IV) preparations and explore the utility of gravimetric methods in the medication preparation process within multiple institutions. Secondary outcomes of this study were syringe size percent variations and impact on drug expenditures. Methods A prospective, noninterventional, multisite study was conducted between March 2015 and December 2016 to generate baseline estimates of accuracy and precision in the volumetric medication preparation process. Five hospitals in the United States were recruited for study participation. During the data collection process, technicians were required to measure the syringe at 3 different points: when the new empty syringe was connected to a closed-system transfer device (CSTD), when the filled syringe containing the prepared dose of medication was connected to a CSTD, and when the used syringe with residual medication was connected to a CSTD. The actual dose of drug dispensed (in mg) was divided by the specific gravity of the medication to determine the actual volume of medication dispensed. Results A total of 4,443 compounded sterile products representing 60 medications across 5 hospitals were eligible for the study. Of the evaluated preparations, 91.92% were within 5% of the prescribed dose and 96.56% were within 10% of the prescribed dose. The outliers ranged from –144.10% to 233.72%. Conclusion The potential for significant over- and undertreatment of an individual patient receiving IV chemotherapy exists, indicating the need for an additional measurement method, such as real-time gravimetric verification, to ensure an accurate dose is administered to every patient.

Improved Design of Steel Pipe Transfer Device Turnover Mechanism

In the steel pipe manufacturing industry, the steel pipe manufacturing process is completed by multiple processes. And on the automatic production line, the transfer process between steel pipe working procedure is realized by the steel pipe transfer device. The unreasonable structural design of related parts in the steel pipe transfer device will result in the failure of the steel pipe transfer process to proceed smoothly, which will directly affect the normal operation of steel pipe production line, resulting in steel pipe productivity’s decrease and causing losses to steel pipe manufacturers. This article proposes an improved design method of the turnover mechanism of transfer device between steel pipe manufacturing processes.

Monitoring Bacterial Conjugation by Optical Microscopy

Bacterial conjugation is the main mechanism for horizontal gene transfer, conferring plasticity to the genome repertoire. This process is also the major instrument for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. Hence, gathering primary information of the mechanism underlying this genetic transaction is of a capital interest. By using fluorescent protein fusions to the ATPases that power conjugation, we have been able to track the localization of these proteins in the presence and absence of recipient cells. Moreover, we have found that more than one copy of the conjugative plasmid is transferred during mating. Altogether, these findings provide new insights into the mechanism of such an important gene transfer device.

Safe disconnection of 5-fluorouracil elastomeric pumps: The benefit of a closed-system-transfer device designed for cytotoxic drug administration/perfusion

Background: Occupational exposure to cytotoxic drugs can lead to significant health problems. This study was designed to evaluate the risk of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) contamination for nurses when disconnecting the infusion line of an elastomeric pump from a non-coring needle, by comparing three configurations: the first one using standard Male and Female Luer lock (Group 1), the second one using a needle-free connector (NFC) and a Male Luer lock (Group 2) and the third one using a closed-system transfer device (CSTD), Qimono® (Group 3). Methods: In this in vitro study, 10 elastomeric pumps for each of the three groups were filled with 5-FU and a tissue mimicking the patient’s arm was placed below the connection between the infusion line and the tubing of non-coring needle. After 48 h of infusion, disconnection was performed by a nurse with a wipe soaked in a mix of chlorhexidine and isopropyl alcohol in order to mimic care practices. For each pump, the tissue, the pair of gloves and the wipes used during the disconnection were collected for analysis. Results: Median level of overall 5-FU contamination (gloves + wipes + tissues) in group 3 was significantly lower than in group 1 ( p = 0.018) and group 2 ( p = 0.036). There was no difference between groups 1 and 2. Results per sample type showed no difference in contamination between the three configurations for the gloves as well as for the tissues. Concerning the wipes, the lowest contamination was observed in group 3, representing a mean reduction of 61% compared to group 1 and a mean reduction of 43% compared to group 2. Conclusion: The use of Qimono® appears to significantly reduce 5-FU contamination when disconnecting infusion lines of an elastomeric pump unlike NFC and standard Luer lock.