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Materials sliding on a larger substrate age faster than the substrate itself, but no available model of friction takes into account this aspect. We developed a model based on the memory effect of both the mobile and the plane samples, separately, and characterized by macroscopic geometric measurements (e.g., sliding distances and samples sizes). We studied the contact between fresh paper samples and samples that have already underwent several slidings. Experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement. Finally, we used our model to demonstrate how the existing test methods can lead to differences in the measured forces of friction. The results allow both a better understanding and quantitative characterization of the dependence of friction with the history of the contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the use of design of experiment (DoE) approach for photographs and paper works which may get damaged by the environmental changes. It discusses the need for controlling the environmental factors like relative humidity (RH) and temperature, how the research information gathered have made it possible to recommend materials for framing of photographs and paper in museum collection. It also talks about the use of Mavelseal, which can help to reduce the humidity fluctuations with marginal costs.

Rationale, aims and objectives Checklists have been adopted by various institutions to improve patient outcomes. In particular, readmission prevention checklists may be of potential value to improve patient care and reduce medical costs. As a result, a prior quality improvement study was conducted to create an intensive care unit readmission prevention checklist. The previous pilot demonstrated zero readmissions when the readmission prevention checklist was utilized but yielded low compliance (30%). Thus, a subsequent quality initiative was undertaken to refine the readmission prevention checklist with the primary aim of improved compliance while maintaining a reduced readmission rate that was observed with the original quality improvement study. Method A single-centre, cross-sectional study for assessing baseline data and a prospective observational study to assess the effectiveness of a refined readmission prevention checklist tool in a 20-bed tertiary medical-surgical intensive care unit at an academic medical centre in Rochester, MN was conducted. Medical patients admitted through the emergency department, upon direct transfer from outside facility, and post-operative surgical patients at our institution were included. A refined readmission prevention checklist tool was administered during an 8-week pilot period for medical and post-operative surgical patients. Results The refined readmission prevention checklist resulted in an even lower compliance (10.5%) from the initial phase likely resulting from utilization of a paper readmission prevention checklist in an electronic medical environment. Moreover, the refined readmission prevention checklist demonstrated a 22% unplanned readmission rate for patients in which the tool was utilized. Conclusions In conclusion, the findings of the current quality improvement study may serve to rethink the process of health care delivery that applies paper tools in an electronic medical environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the impact of two humidification and flattening methods for albumen prints on the surface characteristics of the albumen. The two methods include a Gore-Tex® sandwich and the use of a humidity chamber. For humidification process, variables include the length of time and levels of relative humidity and the parameters measured include the changes in number and/or size of the cracks. It was found that a 10-minute exposure to the Gore-Tex® sandwich method resulted to a significant change to the cracks. Meanwhile, in humidity chamber, there is no change in cracks even after 24 hours. After evaluating several flattening methods after humidification, it was found that the "hard-soft sandwich" developed by Homburger and Korbel is the most effective.

This paper describes an evaluation method for the assessment of hospital building design from the viewpoint of operations management to assure that the building design supports the efficient and effective operating of care processes now and in the future. The different steps of the method are illustrated by a case study. In the case study an experimental design is applied to assess the effect of used logistical concepts, patient mix and technologies. The study shows that the evaluation method provides a valuable tool for the assessment of both functionality and the ability to meet future developments in operational control of a building design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new processing method to produce nanotube reinforced composites by using single-walled nanotube (SWNT) bucky paper as reinforcement. The SWNT bucky paper is an entangled mat of SWNTs, which is a highly porous mesh structure. To successfully produce SWNT bucky paper reinforced composites, it is essentially important to prepare a high-quality bucky paper. In this study, the quality of the bucky paper related to the dispersion of nanotubes within the bucky paper, which was quantitatively-characterized with rope size distribution and pore size distribution. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of various process parameters on the dispersion of nanotubes using design of experiments (DOEs) approach. Based on the experimental analysis, the dispersion process of nanotubes within the bucky paper was optimized by selecting appropriate process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The model used in the paper by Chen et al (2000 Semicond. Sci. Technol. 15 184–8) is general and useful and has been used by several authors to optimize the performance of thermoelectric generators. The content of the comment by Chen and Liao (2004 Semicond. Sci. Technol. 19 558) is incorrect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed optimization method in an investigation in the paper by Chen et al (2000 Semicond. Sci. Technol. 15 184) is based upon an incomplete thermoelectric generator model. To properly determine the optimum geometrical structure parameters, in this comment we discuss how the reported method can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]