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Similar Technologies (similar + technology)
Selected AbstractsInformation technology and transformations in social security policy and administration: A reviewINTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEW, Issue 4 2001Paul Henman In this paper we analyse the interactive relationship between technology, administration and policy in social security. Focusing on new and emerging information and computing technologies, we show how they have been shaped and adopted by social security institutions in different countries, and explore their differential impact on recipients and staff, on organizational structures, and on policy and practice. We conclude that similar technologies have been adopted in a variety of ways to address different economic, social, political and organizational objectives and that, although these differences are becoming more blurred, different patterns have been associated with different welfare state regimes. [source] Compositional and degradative changes during the manufacture of dry-cured ,lacón'JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2003José M Lorenzo Abstract The gross and mineral composition, the main physicochemical parameters, the protein extractability and the proteolytic (nitrogen fractions and free amino acids) and lipolytic (acidity index and free fatty acids) changes were studied throughout the manufacturing process of five batches of dry-cured ,lacón', a traditional Spanish meat product made from the fore-ham of the pig following a similar technological process to that of dry-cured ham. The main compositional characteristics of this product are the high NaCl content and the low moisture content at the end of the curing process. The pH remained fairly stable (around 6) throughout the whole process and a fall in aw was observed, reaching very low (0.767 ± 0.052) final average values. It was noted that 76% of the sarcoplasmic and 83% of the myofibrillar proteins became insoluble during the manufacturing process. The values of the different nitrogen fractions increased in a significant manner during manufacture, reaching low final values that indicate that ,lacón' undergoes a low level of proteolysis in comparison with other products manufactured by similar technologies. The high NaCl content and the intense dehydration suffered during the manufacturing process appear to be the principal causes of this reduced protein degradation. In accordance with the limited increase in the ,-amino acidic nitrogen during ripening, the total free amino acid content increased slightly but significantly from average values of 4371 mg kg,1 dry matter in fresh pieces to average values of 13 020 mg kg,1 dry matter in pieces at the end of the ripening process. The profile of free amino acids in the final product was similar to that observed by other authors in dry-cured ham. The acidity of the fat increased by a factor of five. The final average values (49.9 g oleic acid kg,1) were lower than those determined in dry-cured ham, which indicates that ,lacón' undergoes less lipolysis during the ripening process than dry-cured ham. C18 : 1, C18 : 2 and C16 were the most intensively released fatty acids during curing. The profile of free fatty acids in the end product was in agreement with that observed by other authors in dry-cured ham. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Controlled Delivery Achieved with Bi-Layer Matrix Devices Produced by Co-Injection MouldingMACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, Issue 8 2004Cláudia M. Vaz Abstract Summary: The aim of this study was to design new soy protein-based bi-layered co-injection moulded matrix systems aimed to achieve controlled drug delivery. The devices consisted of a drug-free outer layer (skin) and a drug-containing core. The systems overcame the inherent disadvantage of non-linear release associated with diffusion-controlled single-layer matrix devices by providing additional releasing area with time to compensate for the decreasing release rate. As expected, the bi-layer devices presented a significant decrease in drug release rate when compared with a correspondent single layer matrix system. The skin thickness and the degree of crosslinking of the core appeared to be very important tools to tailor the release patterns. Furthermore, due to the amphoteric nature of the soy protein, the developed devices evidenced a pH-dependent behaviour. The mechanisms of drug release were also elucidated at two different pH values: i) pH 5.0, near the isoelectric point of soy (low matrix solubility); and ii) pH 7.4, physiological pH (high matrix solubility). Consequently, changing the release medium from pH 5.0 to pH 7.4 after two hours, led to an abrupt increase in drug release and the devices presented a typical controlled drug delivery profile: slow release/fast release. These evidences may provide for the development of individual systems with different release onsets that in combination may exhibit drug releases at predetermined times in a pre-programmed way. Another possibility is the production of three-layer devices presenting bimodal release profiles (fast release/slow release/fast release) by similar technologies. Scanning electron micrograph of a developed bi-layer device. [source] Non-destructive Raman study of the glazing technique in lustre potteries and faience (9,14th centuries): silver ions, nanoclusters, microstructure and processingJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 3 2004Philippe Colomban Abstract The oldest known nanotechnology dates back to the fabrication of the first lustre potteries. A lustre is a thin film formed just below the surface of medieval Islamic glazed potteries which contains silver and/or copper in the metallic and ionic form. Raman studies of the lustre films of different ceramics excavated from Fustât (near Cairo, Egypt, 11,12th century) or from the Silk Road (Termez, 13,14th centuries) showed that they associate many layers of different compositions (with or without cassiterite). Energy-dispersive spectroscopic analysis shows that all studied glazes are Ca- (and K)-rich, nearly free of Al silicates, with some addition of lead. Comparison is made with a copy of three-colour Tang ceramics made in Bassorah or Baghdad, in the 9th century, which is among the first known ,faiences', i.e. ceramics enamelled with an Sn-containing glaze. Surprisingly, Sn is not present in the form of a cassiterite (SnO2) precipitate but as a Ca,K-rich salt. Composition analysis and Raman spectra show that all glazes have been processed with similar technology. The distribution of elemental Ag and Cu is very heterogeneous in the lustre decor. The main Raman signature (50,100 cm,1 peaks) of the lustre film is assigned to Ag+ ions. The additional low-wavenumber features could be due to the Ag0 [or (Agn)m+] nanocluster modes. It is clear that the lustre colour arises from the combination of iridescence (diffraction) and absorption/diffusion. Raman criteria are proposed for a sample classification as a function of processing (cassiterite content, processing temperature). The glazing technique is discussed on the basis of experimental evidence and ancient potters' reports. Exothermic burning of acetate residus is proposed as the key step for the preparation of polychrome lustre. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Patenting Nanotechnology in Europe: Making a Good Start?THE JOURNAL OF WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, Issue 1 2010An Analysis of Issues in Law, Regulation Nanotechnology is the technology that concerns itself with the smallest units of matter and promises manipulation of matter on the level of individual molecules. It is expected that vastly improved quality of many kinds of products will be the result. The patenting of nanotech inventions is well under way in Europe, but going down to the most elemental level raises new and important questions. For example, how does patenting at the nano level relate to similar technology on the super-nano level? Also fundamental questions can be asked, such as: should matter at all be patentable at the most elemental level? This article seeks to give a first overview of questions of law and regulation concerning the patentability of inventions in the field of nanotechnology under the European Patent Convention. [source] | ||||||||||