Special Equipment (special + equipment)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Thermal effects and contact conductivity under boundaryZ lZuZbrication

LUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 2 2000
V. V. Konchits
Abstract This paper considers the use of contact electrical conductivity to analyse boundary lubrication at various temperatures. The main mechanisms of contact conductivity within the temperature range typical of lubricated tribosystems are discussed. Special equipment is described for temperature investigation and experimental data are presented on electrophysical methods. Model experiments with static nominal point contacts bring to light some peculiarities of the behaviour of boundary films when heated. Analysis of electrical and frictional characteristics under sliding shows the contact resistance method to be promising in the thermal testing of boundary films. [source]


Percutaneous transtracheal emergency ventilation with a self-made device in an animal model

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 10 2007
RAIK SCHAEFER
Summary Background:, Special equipment for emergency percutaneous transtracheal ventilation is often not immediately available. We used a self-made device consisting of a three-way stopcock connected between a G-15 transtracheal airway catheter and an oxygen supply in a simulated 'cannot intubate, cannot ventilate' scenario and tested the hypothesis that the effectiveness of the device depends on the body weight of the experimental animals. Methods:, With approval of the local animal protection committee, two groups of six pigs each with a body weight of 21 ± 2 and 36 ± 6 kg, respectively, were tracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated after induction of anesthesia. Hemodynamic monitoring included cardiac output and arterial, central venous and pulmonary artery pressures. An emergency transtracheal airway catheter was inserted into the trachea and a situation of partial expiratory airway obstruction was created. Each animal was ventilated for 15 min via the transtracheal airway catheter with the self-made device (FiO2 1.0 at an oxygen flow of 15 l·min,1; respiratory rate of 60 min,1; I/E ratio approximately 1 : 1). Results:, Whereas satisfactory oxygenation was achieved in all animals, sufficient ventilation was obtained only in the lightweight animals. Conclusions:, Adequate oxygenation could be provided by jet-like transtracheal ventilation with a simple self-made device using easily available materials. Sufficient ventilation depends on the body weight of the animals. [source]


Novel Pretrichial Browlift Technique and Review of Methods and Complications

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 9 2009
COURTNEY S. McGUIRE BS
BACKGROUND The upper third of the face is integral to our perception of youth and beauty. While the eyelids anchor this facial cosmetic unit, the eyebrows and forehead are intrinsically linked to the upper eyelids, and their position and texture play an important role in creating pleasing eyes as well as conveying mood and youth. The most common browlifts are performed with endoscopic visualization. Yet, this technique requires special equipment and a prolonged learning curve. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate a novel pretrichial technique and to review different browlift methods and their potential adverse effects. METHODS Case series and review of the literature. RESULTS The pretrichial browlift results in a mild to moderate browlift with secondary smoothing of the forehead topography. Aside from bruising and swelling, it results in minimal adverse effects. Other techniques are also effective but may create a larger scar such as a direct browlift, may be more difficult in terms of approach such as the browpexy, or require endoscopes. CONCLUSION Browlifts are an important procedure in rejuvenating the upper third of the face and improving the overall facial aesthetic appearance. The pretrichial browlift is a less invasive open technique that is safe and effective for the appropriate patient. [source]


Natural disasters and older US adults with disabilities: implications for evacuation

DISASTERS, Issue 1 2007
Lisa C. McGuire PhD
We analysed 2003 and 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA to produce estimates of the number of community dwelling people aged 65 years or older with a disability and requiring special equipment., Approximately, 47,840 (31.6 per cent) older adults with a disability and 24,938 (16.6 per cent) older adults requiring the use of special equipment were community dwelling and might require assistance to evacuate or a shelter that could accommodate special equipment. Older adults who need special equipment were likely to be female, unmarried and white, and to rate their health as fair or poor. Personnel who plan and prepare for evacuations and temporary shelter during disasters need baseline information on the number of older adults with a disability or who require special equipment. A surveillance system, such as the BRFSS, gathers information that planners can use to prepare for and to deliver services. [source]


An accessible micro-capillary electrophoresis device using surface-tension-driven flow

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 9 2009
Swomitra K. Mohanty
Abstract We present a rapidly fabricated micro-capillary electrophoresis chip that utilizes surface-tension-driven flow for sample injection and extraction of DNA. Surface-tension-driven flow (i.e. passive pumping) [G. M. Walker et al., Lab. Chip. 2002, 2, 131,134] injects a fixed volume of sample that can be predicted mathematically. Passive pumping eliminates the need for tubing, valves, syringe pumps, and other equipment typically needed for interfacing with microelectrophoresis chips. This method requires a standard micropipette to load samples before separation, and remove the resulting bands after analysis. The device was made using liquid phase photopolymerization to rapidly fabricate the chip without the need of special equipment typically associated with the construction of microelectrophoresis chips (e.g. cleanroom) [A. K. Agarwal et al., J. Micromech. Microeng. 2006, 16, 332,340; S. K. Mohanty et al., Electrophoresis 2006, 27, 3772,3778]. Batch fabrication time for the device presented here was 1.5,h including channel coating time to suppress electroosmotic flow. Devices were constructed out of poly-isobornyl acrylate and glass. A standard microscope with a UV source was used for sample detection. Separations were demonstrated using Promega BenchTop 100,bp ladder in hydroxyl ethyl cellulose (HEC) and oligonucleotides of 91 and 118,bp were used to characterize sample injection and extraction of DNA bands. The end result was an inexpensive micro-capillary electrophoresis device that uses tools (e.g. micropipette, electrophoretic power supplies, and microscopes) already present in most labs for sample manipulation and detection, making it more accessible for potential end users. [source]


Refrigerated transport and environment

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 10 2004
S. K. Chatzidakis
Abstract The regulations and the technical specifications for international carriage of perishable foodstuffs and for the special equipment to be used for such carriage are prescribed in the international ATP Agreement. The refrigerated special equipment has to be checked for quality conformity with the ATP standards, at officially designated national ATP test stations. Some of the alternatively proposed ATP testing procedures for checking of the in-service and second-hand refrigerated transport equipment are incomplete and can give incorrect test results. The consequence is increase in energy consumption and an increased environmental pollution through CO2 emission. This study analyses the ATP testing procedures for in-service equipment, investigates the impact on the environmental and gives some proposals for improvement. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Improved approach for transferring and cultivating Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A (DSM 2834)

LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
H. Summer
Abstract Aim:, A method for cultivating Methanosarcina acetivorans was further developed to handle these anaerobic archaea without special equipment such as an anaerobic chamber. Methods and Results:, Medium was filtered and oxygen removed under a nitrogen gas-phase. A dithiothreitol-filled syringe was used to transfer cells from high density grown cultures to new medium. Growth time and cell mass were determined, as well as cell viability was proven by light microscopy. Conclusion:, Cell transfer and growth was successful using this approach. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This updated technique allows almost every laboratory the opportunity to grow these methanogenic organisms for further studies. The described method could be used for proteomic analysis and is also interesting for further protein structure determination. [source]


Preparation and mechanical properties of well-aligned and well-oriented poly(vinyl alcohol) nanoribbon

POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 3 2009
Mai Iwashita
Abstract We report a novel, economical method of preparing well-aligned and well-oriented nanoribbons made of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The method requires no special equipment and easily produces nanoribbon. The structure of uniaxially drawn nanoribbon was investigated by polarized microscopy, polarized FT-IR, and X-ray diffraction, which showed high molecular and crystallite orientations. The well-aligned PVA nanoribbon, measuring several tens of micrometer width and around 400,nm thickness, had a Young's modulus of 9,GPa and a tensile strength of 350,MPa. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Therapeutic Efficacy of the Epley Canalith Repositioning Maneuver,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 6 2001
Michael J. Ruckenstein MD
Abstract Objectives/Hypotheses The hypotheses of the current study are as follows: 1) That if the Epley canalith repositioning maneuver is an effective treatment for benign positional vertigo (BPV), relief from the vertigo should occur virtually immediately after the performance of the maneuver; 2) that the Epley canalith repositioning maneuver does provide almost immediate relief in BPV and should be the established treatment of choice for this disorder in both primary and tertiary care settings; and 3) that residual symptoms of lightheadedness and imbalance do persist after the resolution of the vertigo. The distinction of these symptoms from the vertigo is required for the accurate evaluation of the efficacy of positional maneuvers. Study Design Prospective cohort study in a tertiary care balance center. Methods Eighty-six patients (95 cases) with a history and physical examination consistent with active BPV were entered in the study. Patients were treated with a modified Epley canalith repositioning maneuver. A modified 360° roll was used to treat those patients with horizontal canal BPV. Patients were provided with a preprinted diary in which they were to circle the answer most relevant to their symptoms for 14 days after the maneuver. Patients were then re-evaluated in the office at 2 weeks after the maneuver. Results The mean duration of the BPV before treatment was 9 weeks. Seventy-four percent of cases that were treated with one or two canalith repositioning maneuvers had a resolution of vertigo as a direct result of the maneuver. A resolution attributable to the first intervention was obtained in 70% of cases within 48 hours of the maneuver. An additional 14% of cases that were treated had a resolution of vertigo; however, it is not possible to say that these patients definitely benefited from the canalith repositioning maneuver. Only 4% of cases (three patients) manifested BPV that persisted after four treatments. Residual symptoms of lightheadedness or imbalance, or both, were frequent (47% of cases) but rarely required formal intervention with vestibular rehabilitation physical therapy. Conclusions The Epley canalith repositioning maneuver results in a resolution of vertigo in the majority of patients (70% of cases) immediately after one treatment. It is safe and requires no special equipment or investigations. It should be established as the treatment of choice for BPV in both primary and tertiary care settings. [source]


Arterioportal shunting as an alternative to microvascular reconstruction after hepatic artery resection

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 2 2004
S. Kondo
Background: Portal vein and hepatic artery resection and reconstruction may be required in radical surgery for biliary cancer. Microvascular reconstruction requires special equipment and training, and may be difficult to accomplish when the arterial stump is small, when there are multiple vessels or when the stump lies deep within the wound. This study examined the feasibility and safety of arterioportal shunting as an alternative to arterial reconstruction. Methods: Over 30 months, ten patients with biliary cancer (six bile duct and four gallbladder carcinomas) underwent radical surgery with en bloc resection of the hepatic artery and end-to-side arterioportal reconstruction between the common hepatic or gastroduodenal artery and the portal trunk. Results: No patient died. Complications included bile leakage in two patients and liver abscess in one. Routine angiography performed 1 month after surgery revealed shunt occlusion in three patients. Once the existence of hepatopetal arterial collaterals had been confirmed in the remaining patients, the shunt was occluded by coil embolization. Conclusion: Arterioportal shunting appears to be a safe alternative to microvascular reconstruction after hepatic artery resection. However, the safety of the procedure and its potential to increase the cure rate require further assessment in a larger series with a longer follow-up. Copyright © 2003 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]