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Control Unit (control + unit)
Selected AbstractsA randomised controlled trial of a tailored multifaceted strategy to promote implementation of a clinical guideline on induced abortion careBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 7 2004R. Foy Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of a tailored multifaceted strategy, delivered by a national clinical effectiveness programme, to implement a guideline on induced abortion. Design Cluster randomised controlled trial. Setting and participants All 26 hospital gynaecology units in Scotland providing induced abortion care. Intervention Following the identification of barriers to guideline implementation, intervention units received a package comprising audit and feedback, unit educational meetings, dissemination of structured case records and promotion of a patient information booklet. Control units received printed guideline summaries alone. Main outcome measures Compliance with five key guideline recommendations (primary outcomes) and compliance with other recommendations, patient satisfaction and costs of the implementation strategy (secondary outcomes). Results No effect was observed for any key recommendation: appointment with a gynaecologist within five days of referral (odds ratio 0.89; 95% confidence interval 0.50 to 1.58); ascertainment of cervical cytology history (0.93; 0.36 to 2.40); antibiotic prophylaxis or screening for lower genital tract infection (1.70; 0.71 to 5.99); use of misoprostol as an alternative to gemeprost (1.00; 0.27 to 1.77); and offer of contraceptive supplies at discharge (1.11; 0.48 to 2.53). Median pre-intervention compliance was near optimal for antibiotic prophylaxis and misoprostol use. No intervention benefit was observed for any secondary outcome. The intervention costs an average of £2607 per gynaecology unit. Conclusions The tailored multifaceted strategy was ineffective. This was possibly attributable to high pre-intervention compliance and the limited impact of the strategy on factors outside the perceived control of clinical staff. [source] Development of an electrohydraulic total artificial heart system: Improvement of pump unitELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS IN JAPAN, Issue 9 2010Akihiko Homma Abstract An electrohydraulic total artificial heart (EHTAH) system has been developed. The EHTAH system consists of diaphragm-type blood pumps, and electrohydraulic actuator, an internal control unit, a transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS), a transcutaneous optical telemetry system (TOTS), and an internal battery. The reciprocating rotation of the impeller generates oil pressure that drives the blood pumps at alternating intervals. The blood pumps and the actuator were successfully integrated into the pump unit without oil conduits. As a result of miniaturizing the blood pumps and the actuator, the displacement volume and weight of the EHTAH system were decreased to 872 ml and 2492 g, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum flow rate and efficiency increased up to 12 L/min and 15.4%. The pump units and the EHTAH systems were successfully implanted in 36 calves weighing from 55 to 87 kg. In the longest case, a calf with the pump unit survived for 87 days and a calf with the EHTAH system survived for 70 days. The EHTAH system was powered by the TETS, and was powered every day by the internal battery for 40 minutes. These results indicate that the EHTAH system has the potential to become a fully implantable cardiac replacement system. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 93(9): 34,46, 2010; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10220 [source] Increased physiotherapy in sheltered housing in Sweden: a study of structure and process in elderly careHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 6 2003Gunilla Fahlström BSc Abstract The effect of increasing the level of physiotherapy services in elderly care was studied using an intervention and a control unit. The units had 20 and 2 hours of physiotherapy services per week, respectively. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy records were reviewed before and during the project. Physiotherapists also kept extended documentation over an 11-month period. Data analyses employed the chi-square test and content analysis. There was a significant increase in the number of patients receiving physiotherapy and occupational therapy within both units. No significant differences between the units were found for the number of patients receiving physiotherapy. The number of patients receiving occupational therapy differed significantly between units before as well as during the intervention. Primarily care assistants and auxiliary nurses initiated contact with the physiotherapists mainly for patient-orientated errands. Fifty per cent of the instructions given by the physiotherapist at the 20-hour unit related to movement-orientated activities of daily living. At the 2-hour unit, the majority of instructions (52%) were programme-orientated. [source] Long-term study of a portable field robot in urban terrainJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 8-9 2007Carl Lundberg The armed forces have a considerable amount of experience in using robots for bomb removal and mine clearing. Emerging technology also enables the targeting of other applications. To evaluate if real deployment of new technology is justified, tactical advantages gained have to be compared to drawbacks imposed. Evaluation calls for realistic tests which in turn require methods dictating how to deploy the new features. The present study has had two objectives: first, to gain a comprehensive view of a potential user of man-portable robots; second, to embed a robot system with users for assessment of present technology in real deployment. In this project we investigated an army company specialized in urban operations performing their tasks with the support of the iRobot Packbot Scout. The robot was integrated and deployed as an ordinary piece of equipment which required modifying and retraining a number of standard behaviors. The reported results were acquired through a long-term test ranging over a period of six months. This paper focuses on the characteristics of the users and their current ways of operation; how the robot was implemented and deployed. Additionally, this paper describes benefits and drawbacks from the users' perspective. A number of limitations in current robot technology are also identified. The findings show that the military relies on precise and thoroughly trained actions that can be executed with a minimum of ambiguity. To make use of robots, new behavioral schemes, which call for tactical optimization over several years, are needed. The most common application during the trials was reconnaissance inside buildings with uncertain enemy presence when time was not critical. Deploying the robot took more time than completing the task by traditional means, but in return kept the soldiers out of harm's way and enabled them to decrease weapon deployment. The range of the radio link, limited video feedback, and the bulky operator control unit were the features constraining the system's overall performance the most. On the other hand, did properties of the system, such as ruggedness, size, weight, terrain ability, and endurance, prove to match the application. The users were of the opinion that robots such as the Packbot Scout would be a valuable standard feature in urban intervention. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Modeling of coupled mass and heat transfer through venting membranes for automotive applicationsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009Amine Barkallah Abstract Experimental and theoretical approaches based on a mathematical model, have been developed to study the evolution of environmental parameters (temperature, total pressure, relative humidity, and water vapor partial pressure) inside a housing of an electronic device with a window containing a macroporous membrane. The model was based on the coupling of mass and heat transfer taking into account the effects of polarization of concentration in boundary layers. Membranes have been characterized by mercury porosimetry, liquid entry pressure measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and gas permeation. Once the model was experimentally validated, it was applied to investigate the influence of membranes on heat and mass transfer and to study the impact of the boundary layers on the global mass transport. The results demonstrated the importance of the membrane choice and dimensions to get the best temperature regulation and avoid water condensation inside an automotive electronic control unit (ECU). © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] The characterization of fluidization behavior using a novel multichamber microscale fluid bedJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2004Eetu Räsänen Abstract In the preformulation stage, there is a special need to determine the process behavior of materials with smaller amounts of samples. The purpose of this study was to assemble a novel automated multichamber microscale fluid bed module with a process air control unit for the characterization of fluidization behavior in variable conditions. The results were evaluated on the basis of two common computational methods, the minimum fluidization velocity, and the Geldart classification. The materials studied were different particle sizes of glass beads, microcrystalline cellulose, and silicified microcrystalline cellulose. During processing, the different characteristic fluidization phases (e.g., plugging, bubbling, slugging, and turbulent fluidization) of the materials were observed by the pressure difference over the bed. When the moisture content of the process air was increased, the amount of free charge carriers increased and the fine glass beads fluidized on the limited range of velocity. The silicification was demonstrated to improve the fluidization behavior with two different particle sizes of cellulose powders. Due to the interparticle (e.g., electrostatic) forces of the fine solids, the utilization of the computational predictions was restricted. The presented setup is a novel approach for studying process behavior with only a few grams of materials. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 93: 780,791, 2004 [source] Dehydration studies using a novel multichamber microscale fluid bed dryer with in-line near-infrared measurementJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 10 2003Eetu Räsänen Abstract The purpose of this research was to study the effect of two process parameters (temperature and moisture content) on dehydration behavior of different materials using a novel multichamber microscale fluid bed dryer with a process air control unit and in-line near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. The materials studied were disodium hydrogen phosphates with three different levels of hydrate water and wet theophylline granules. Measured process parameters of fluid bed drying were logged, including in-line NIR signals. Off-line analyses consisted of X-ray powder diffraction patterns, Fourier transform NIR spectra and moisture contents of studied materials. During fluid bed drying, the stepwise dehydration of materials was observed by the water content difference of inlet and outlet air, the pressure difference over the bed, and the in-line NIR spectroscopy. The off-line analysis confirmed the state of solid materials. The temperature and the moisture content of the process air were demonstrated to be significant factors for the solid-state stability of theophylline. The presented setup is a material and cost-saving approach for studying the influence of different process parameters on dehydration behavior during pharmaceutical processing. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 92:2074,2081, 2003 [source] Occupational exposures to high frequency electromagnetic fields in the intermediate range (,>300 Hz,10 MHz)BIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 8 2002Birgitta Floderus Abstract The aim of this study was to identify work situations with electromagnetic fields of 300 Hz,10 MHz and to characterize the occupational exposure. Work place investigations included descriptions of the work environment and physical measurements. We estimated electric (E) and magnetic (H) fields by spot measurements in air, by logged exposure data, and when possible, we recorded induced currents in limbs. The instruments used were Wandel and Golterman EFA-3, NARDA 8718, Holaday HI-3702. The exposure sources comprised five induction furnaces, seven induction heaters, one surface treatment equipment, four units of electronic article surveillance (EAS), and medical devices for surgery and muscle stimulation. The induction furnaces operated at 480 Hz,7 kHz, and the maximum values of logged data varied between 512,2093 V/m (E field) and 10.5,87.3 A/m (H field). The induction heaters (3.8 kHz,1.25 MHz) also showed high maximum exposure values of both E and H fields. Three EAS units, an electromagnetic plate at a library, a luggage control unit, and an antitheft gate, showed E fields reaching 658,1069 V/m. The H fields were comparatively lower, except for the antitheft gate (5 and 7.5 kHz) showing a maximum value of 27.2 A/m (recorded during repair). Induced currents of 5,13 mA were measured for the medical devices. The study improves the basis for an exposure assessment for epidemiological studies of long term effects of exposures to high frequency electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics 23:568,577, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Development of an electrochemical antifouling system for seawater cooling pipelines of power plants using titaniumBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 3 2006Hitoshi Wake Abstract Biofouling is the undesirable adhesion and development of microorganisms and macroorganisms in a water environment. An electrochemical antifouling system based on management of primary adhesion of microorganisms was developed employing titanium electrode for antifouling of seawater cooling pipes and marine infrastructures. The system consists of an electrochemical reaction-monitoring unit, a power control unit, and a potential/current remote monitoring and a control unit. Titanium plates and iron plates were used as the working and counter electrode, respectively. Field experiment was conducted in the seawater cooling pipeline system of a thermal power station. Four titanium electrodes with 1.0 m length and 3.0 m width were set in the seawater intake pit and current density was controlled at 50,100 mA/m2. The electrode surface maintained clean conditions for 2 years. The average wet weight of fouling organisms on the titanium electrode surface was below 100 g/m2 whereas the corresponding wet weight was above 10 kg/m2 on the control surface. Using titanium as the electrode material, chlorine and hypochlorite are not generated. The developed electrochemical antifouling system provided an effective, environmentally friendly, and feasible techniques for remote operations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Design and Characterization of a Rotating Bed System Bioreactor for Tissue Engineering ApplicationsBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 1 2008Fabienne Anton The main challenge in the development of bioreactors for tissue engineering is the delivery of a sufficient nutrient and oxygen supply for cell growth in a 3D environment. Thus, a new rotating bed system bioreactor for tissue engineering applications was developed. The system consists of a culture vessel as well as an integrated rotating bed of special porous ceramic discs and a process control unit connected with the reactor to ensure optimal culturing conditions. The aim of the project was the design and construction of a fully equipped rotating bed reactor, and in particular, the characterization and optimization of the system with regard to technical parameters such as mixing time and pH-control to guarantee optimal conditions for cell growth and differentiation. Furthermore, the applicability of the developed system was demonstrated by cultivation of osteoblast precursor cells. The porous structure of the ceramic discs and the external medium circulation loop provide an optimal environment for tissue generation in long-term cultivations. Mass transfer limitations were minimized by the slow rotation, which also provides the cells with sufficient nutrients and oxygen through alternate contact to air and medium. An osteoblast precursor cell line was successfully cultivated in this bioreactor for 28 days. [source] Prescribed Burning to Restore Mixed-Oak Communities in Southern Ohio: Effects on Breeding- Bird PopulationsCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2001Vanessa L. Artman We studied the effects of repeated burning (1,4 years of annual burning) and recovery (1 year after burning,) on the breeding bird community. Burning resulted in incremental but temporary reductions in the availability of leaf litter, shrubs, and saplings, but it did not affect trees, snags, or understory vegetation cover. Of 30 bird species monitored, 4 were affected negatively and 2 were affected positively by burning. Population densities of Ovenbirds ( Seiurus aurocapillus), Worm-eating Warblers ( Helmitheros vermivorus), and Hooded Warblers ( Wilsonia citrina) declined incrementally in response to repeated burning and did not recover within 1 year after burning, suggesting a lag time in response to the changes in habitat conditions. Densities of Northern Cardinals ( Cardinalis cardinalis) fluctuated among years in the control units, but remained low in the burned units. Densities of American Robins ( Turdus migratorius) and Eastern Wood-Pewees ( Contopus virens) increased in response to burning, but these increases were apparent only after several years of repeated burning. In general, burning resulted in short-term reductions in the suitability of habitat for ground- and low-shrub-nesting birds, but it improved habitat for ground- and aerial-foraging birds. Overall, there were no changes in the composition of the breeding-bird community. Total breeding bird population levels were also unaffected by burning. Our results suggest that prescribed burning applied on a long-term basis or across large spatial scales is likely to have adverse effects on ground- and low-shrub-nesting bird species, but other changes in the composition of the breeding-bird community are likely to be minimal as long as the closed-canopy forest structure is maintained within the context of prescribed burning. Resumen: Se está reintroduciendo fuego artificialmente en los bosque del sur de Ohio para determinar su efectividad para restaurar y mantener comunidades de bosques mixtos de encino ( Quercus spp.). Estudiamos los efectos de quemas repetidas (1,4 años de quema anual,) y de recuperación (1 año después de la quema) sobre la comunidad de aves reproductivas. La quema resultó en reducciones temporales en la disponibilidad de hojarasca, arbustos y renuevos, pero no afectó a los árboles, tocones o la cubierta vegetal del sotobosque. De 30 especies de aves monitoredas, 4 fueron afectadas negativamente por la quema y 2 fueron afectadas positivamente. Las densidades de población de Seiurus aurocapillus, de Helmitheros vermivorus y de Wilsonia citrina declinaron incrementalmente en respuesta a quemas repetidas y no se recuperaron en un año después de la quema, sugiriendo un retraso en el tiempo de respuesta a los cambios en las condiciones del hábitat. Las densidades de Cardinalis cardinalis fluctuaron entre años en las unidades control, pero permanecieron bajas en las unidades quemadas. Las densidades de Turdus migratorius y de Contopus virens aumentaron en respuesta a la quema, pero estos incrementos fueron evidentes sólo hasta varios años después de quemas repetidas. En general, en el corto plazo la quema resultó en reducciones en la calidad del hábitat para aves que anidan sobre el suelo y en arbustos bajos, pero mejoró el hábitat para aves que forrajean en el suelo y el aire. En general, no hubo cambios en la composición de la comunidad de aves reproductivas. Los niveles totales de poblaciones de aves reproductivas tampoco fueron afectados por la quema. Nuestros resultados sugieren la posibilidad de que la quema prescrita aplicada a largo plazo o en escalas espaciales grandes tenga efectos adversos sobre especies de aves que anidan sobre el suelo y en arbustos bajos, pero la posibilidad de cambios en la composición de la comunidad de aves reproductivas es mínima. [source] Improved design of sliding mode control for civil structures with saturation problemEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 11 2004Sang-Hyun Lee Abstract A systematic and improved design procedure for sliding mode control (SMC) of seismically excited civil structures with saturation problem is provided in this paper. In order to restrict the control force to a certain level, a procedure for determining the upper limits of the control forces for single or multiple control units is proposed based on the design response spectrum of external loads. Further, an efficient procedure using the LQR method for determining sliding surfaces appropriate for different controller types is provided through the parametric evaluation of the dynamic characteristics of sliding surfaces in terms of SMC controller performance. Finally, a systematic design procedure for SMC required to achieve a given performance level is provided and its effectiveness is verified by applying it to multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Quality of Nursing Diagnoses: Evaluation of an Educational InterventionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING TERMINOLOGIES AND CLASSIFICATION, Issue 2 2005Jan Florin RN PURPOSE.,To investigate the effects on the quality of nursing diagnostic statements in patient records after education in the nursing process and implementation of new forms for recording. METHODS.,Quasi-experimental design. Randomly selected patient records reviewed before and after intervention from one experimental unit (n = 70) and three control units (n = 70). A scale with 14 characteristics pertaining to nursing diagnoses was developed and used together with the instrument (CAT-CH-ING) for record review. FINDINGS.,Quality of nursing diagnostic statements improved in the experimental unit, whereas no improvement was found in the control units. Serious flaws in the use of the etiology component were found. CONCLUSION.,Nurses must be more concerned with the accuracy and quality of the nursing diagnoses and the etiology component needs to be given special attention. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.,Education of RNs in nursing diagnostic statements and peer review using standardized evaluation instruments can be means to further enhance RNs' documentation practice. [source] Micro-computed tomography evaluation of vertebral end-plate trabecular bone changes in a porcine asymmetric vertebral tetherJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2010Jean-Michel Laffosse Abstract We conducted a micro-CT analysis of subchondral bone of the vertebral end-plates after application of compressive stress. Thoracic and lumbar vertebral units were instrumented by carrying out left asymmetric tether in eleven 4-week-old pigs. After 3 months of growth, instrumented units and control units were harvested. Micro-CT study of subchondral bone was performed on one central and two lateral specimens (fixated side and non-fixated side). In control units, bone volume fraction (BV/TV), number of trabeculae (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and degree of anisotropy (DA) were significantly higher, whereas intertrabecular space (Tb.Sp) was significantly lower in center than in periphery. No significant difference between the fixated and non-fixated sides was found. In instrumented units, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th, and DA were significantly higher in center than in periphery. BV/TV, Tb.N, and Conn.D were significantly higher in fixated than in non-fixated side, while Tb.Sp was significantly lower. We noted BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Th significantly lower, and Tb.Sp significantly higher, in the instrumented levels. This study showed, in instrumented units, two opposing processes generating a reorganization of the trabecular network. First, an osteolytic process (decrease in BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th) by stress-shielding, greater in center and on non-fixated side. Second, an osteogenic process (higher BV/TV, Tb.N, Conn.D, and lower Tb.Sp) due to the compressive loading induced by growth on the fixated side. This study demonstrates the densification of the trabecular bone tissue of the vertebral end-plates after compressive loading, and illustrates the potential risks of excessively rigid spinal instrumentation which may induce premature osteopenia. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:232,240, 2010 [source] Investigation of the physical mechanisms in rolling bearings during the passage of electric currentLUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 4 2005A. Jagenbrein Abstract With the increasing use of frequency converters as control units for electric motors, bearing failures caused by the passage of electric current through the bearings are more common. This paper discusses the most relevant parasitic current loops in frequency converter-driven motors that can lead to damage of bearing raceways or deterioration of lubricants. Electrical stray capacitances, which are inevitably present in any electric motor, in combination with the high-frequency components of the drive voltages, have been identified as the source of electric discharge machining (EDM) currents. Based on an EDM equivalent electric circuit, the passage of electric current through the rolling contact of a bearing is simulated. A set-up is introduced to initiate EDM processes in bearings under well-controlled electrical and mechanical conditions. The effect of EDM currents on bearing elements in the presence of different lubricants is studied. Initial results are presented. [source] Sampling Techniques Influence Understory Plant Trajectories After Restoration: An Example from Ponderosa Pine RestorationRESTORATION ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Julie E. Korb Abstract Although there is no one correct technique for sampling vegetation, the sampling design chosen may greatly influence the conclusions researchers can draw from restoration treatments. Considerations when designing vegetation sampling protocol include determining what sampling attributes to measure, the size and shape of the sampling plot, the number of replicates and their location within the study area, and the frequency of sampling. We installed 20 point-intercept transects (50-m long), 8 belt transects (10 × 50 m), 10 adapted Daubenmire transects (four 0.5 × 2-m plots), and 4 modified-Whittaker plots (20 × 50 m with smaller nested plots) in treatment and control units to measure understory herbaceous response in a forest restoration experiment that tested different treatments. Point-intercept transects on average recorded at least twice as much plant cover as did adapted Daubenmire transects and modified-Whittaker plots taken at the same location for all control and treatment units. Point-intercept transects and adapted Daubenmire plots on average captured fewer rare and exotic species in the control and treatment units in comparison with the belt transects and modified-Whittaker plots. Modified-Whittaker plots captured the highest species richness in all units. Early successional understory response to restoration treatments was likely masked by the response of the herbaceous community to yearly climatic variation (dry vs. wet years). Species richness and abundance were higher in wet years than dry years for all control and treatment units. Our results illustrate that sampling techniques can greatly influence perceptions of understory plant trajectories and therefore the interpretation of whether restoration goals have been achieved. In addition, our results suggest that restoration monitoring needs to be conducted for a sufficient length of time so that restoration treatment responses can be detected. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||