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Seit der Ausbreitung des Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrom Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2) in Deutschland werden Intensivbetten fur Patienten, die an Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) erkrankt sind, frei gehalten. Auch nach Ruckgang der Infektionszahlen wurden Intensivbetten prophylaktisch frei gehalten; dies geschah in den einzelnen Bundeslandern jedoch in sehr unterschiedlicher Weise. Anhand der Literatur soll fur das Infektionsgeschehen in Deutschland und insbesondere in Baden-Wurttemberg bei Stand Ende November 2020 eine notwendige Freihaltequote fur COVID-19-Patienten definiert und fur ansteigende und fallende Infektionszahlen ein Eskalations- /Deeskalationsschema erstellt werden. Fur die Kalkulation wurden fur die Monate April bis November 2020 Daten aus dem COVID-19-Resource-Board des Landes Baden-Wurttemberg, dem taglichen Lagebericht des Robert-Koch-Instituts (RKI) zur Coronaviruskrankheit 2019 (COVID-19), dem Aktuellem Lage‑/Situationsbericht des RKI zu COVID-19, dem DIVI-Intensiv-Register zur Erfassung der an COVID-19 erkrankten intensivpflichtigen Patienten sowie dem Tagesbericht COVID-19 Baden-Wurttemberg verwendet. Ende November 2020 sind ca. 13,5 % der Intensivbetten deutschlandweit mit COVID-19-Patenten belegt. 1,5 % der positiv auf SARS-CoV‑2 Getesteten wurden auf eine Intensivstation aufgenommen; die Hospitalisierungsrate belief sich auf 6 % bei einem mittleren Erkrankungsalter von 43 Jahren. Kliniken wird bei einer 7‑Tage-Inzidenz von weniger als 35/100.000 Neuinfektionen empfohlen, eine Freihaltequote von 10 % an Intensivbetten fur COVID-19-Patienten zu kalkulieren, bei einer Vorwarnstufe von 35/100.000 Neuinfektionen im Einzugsgebiet 20 % und bei einer kritischen Grenze von 50/100.000 30 % der Intensivbetten. Weitere klinikinterne Trigger, wie die Auslastung der Intensivstationen, sollen berucksichtigt werden. Bei niedrigen Infektionszahlen war eine generelle landesweite Freihaltequote an Intensivbetten fur COVID-19-Patienten im September 2020 nicht gerechtfertigt. Lokal ansteigende und wieder abfallende Infektionszahlen erfordern ein lokales dynamisches Vorgehen. Ein Stufenkonzept in enger Abstimmung mit den ortlichen Gesundheitsbehorden sowie weitere klinikinterne Trigger definieren die Freihaltekapazitat. Um bei lokalen Ausbruchen die Krankenhauskapazitaten nicht zu uberfordern, soll fruhzeitig ein entsprechendes Verlegungskonzept ins Auge gefasst werden.

ObjectiveNewborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) at our hospital during this study was by measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in serum samples. This audit was conducted over a 2 year period, to determine the compliance of reporting of results greater than the screening cutoffs for serum TSH. Gaps of non-compliance were identified, and re-audit was undertaken after the corrective actions were taken.ResultsThe critical limit was defined as serum TSH (≥ 20 µIU/ml) following consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist. All results above this limit were reported urgently to physicians. During the audit period, 27,407 tests were performed, 0.7% had a value of ≥ 20 µIU/ml, of those only 62% were reported to the general paediatrician or neonatologist. Reasons for not reporting results included non-availability of contact information, lack of policy awareness by technologists, critical results not highlighted on the computer display, and absence of regular monitoring. Corrective measures were taken, and re-audit was done. During the re-audit period, a total of 22,985 tests was performed, 0.6% had a value of ≥ 20 µIU/ml. Of these, 77% were reported to the general paediatrician or neonatologist. Critical result reporting was improved after the audit, and further enhanced the laboratory service of CH screening.

With the continuous miniaturization in device dimension to reach the expectation raised by semiconductor users, the shape and size of the MOSFET are changing periodically. The journey started in the year 1960, reached the milestone, and still going on to create history. Due to continuous downscaling, the device dimensions have already reached the critical limit and further miniaturization is a challenge. As a result of which some unwanted effects were raised unknowingly to suppress the device performances while entering into nanoscale. To overcome these kinds of barriers, different device architectures were proposed to keep the journey on. This paper focused on those types of advanced structures in MOSFET, which kept Moore’s law alive.

Thermal noise associated with the mechanical loss of current highly reflective mirror coatings is a critical limit to the sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors. Several alternative coating materials show potential for reducing thermal noise, but cannot be used due to their high optical absorption. Multimaterial coatings have been proposed to enable the use of such materials to reduce thermal noise while minimizing their impact on the total absorption of the mirror coating. Here we present experimental verification of the multimaterial concept, by integrating aSi into a highly reflective SiO_{2} and Ta_{2}O_{5} multilayer coating. We show a significant thermal noise improvement and demonstrate consistent optical and mechanical performance. The multimaterial coating survives the heat treatment required to minimize the absorption of the aSi layers, with no adverse effects from the different thermomechanical properties of the three materials.

At the nautical bottom approach, part of the fluid mud layers can be included in the available depth if they present favorable rheology. As it is difficult to perform in situ rheological profiles, the most adopted procedure is to correlate these properties with other easier measurable ones, typically density. One technique for assessing in situ density profiles is the use of a tuning fork density probe. Density is calculated through frequency and amplitude signals, based in a specific algorithm from the employed device. This method requires a calibration, using local sediment at several densities, as it is conditioned by the rheology of the mud. In order to link the rheological properties of the fluid mud to the response of the tuning fork, first, an algorithm for density calculation was proposed and compared to the standard equipment software. Then, mud samples from different regions in Brazil were employed and a single curve associating the densitometer amplitude signal and the yield stress of the samples was obtained. The proposed approach enables a quick rheological assessment without laboratory rheological tests. It simplifies the steps of the protocol for establishing the critical limit once applying the nautical bottom concept, and it can be replied to other ports and navigation channels.

One of the common causes of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation ageing and finally cable failure is the presence of a cavity within cable insulation. Gas filled cavities can be initiated in XLPE cables during its manufacturing, installing and operating conditions. Once the size of the cavity reaches the critical limit, noticeable partial discharge (PD) activity develops. Therefore, the size of the cavity is one of the important factors that considered when investigating the PD activity in power cable. This work studies the effect of cavity size on PD behaviour within insulation layer of an 18/30 kV XLPE cable specimen; the changing in an artificial spherical cavity depths and diameters is investigated in the laboratory. In addition, 2D model geometry of a cable insulation having an artificial cavity is also developed using COMSOL software and MATLAB program to simulate the PD measurements from the laboratory experiments to imitate the conditions found during measurements, hence interpreting the obtained experimental results and determining the significant parameters influencing PD activity; hence, more a fuller understanding of PD phenomena within a cavity. The results show good coincidence between experimental and simulated data, in terms of PD magnitude and PD inception voltage.

Splitting or longitudinal shear failures in full-culm bamboo are a critical limit state when using the material for construction applications. Understanding and quantifying the behaviour must be through standardised test methods for international adoption into building practices to be successful. Current testing procedures only determine an effective flexural strength due to splitting failures. The present study investigates longitudinal shear failure in full-culm Phyllostachys pubescens (Moso) and Bambusa stenostachya (Tre Gai) bamboo flexural specimens through a number of standard and modified test methods. In particular, the paper proposes modifications to ‘standard’ culm flexural tests intended to better capture actual shear-dominated behaviour. Notched specimens were used to better establish relationships between mode I and mode II behaviours. The test results illustrate the significant degree of interaction between mode I and mode II stresses resulting from flexural tests and their associated failures, specifically the significant deterioration of mode II capacity in the presence of even a small amount of mode I stress. It is proposed that a uniform experimental approach using horizontally notched flexural specimens having different shear spans and notch locations would be appropriate to establish a relationship between mode I and II behaviour.

The aim of this study is to find out the effect of the development of learning tools through a web-based SQ3R strategy to the improvement of students’ learning motivation in the concept of defense system of the body at class XI of MAS Jeumala Amal of Pidie Jaya (a private Senior High School). The data were collected from April 4th to May 11th, 2016 in the even semester of the school year 2015-2016. A quasi-experimental method is implemented with qualitative and quantitative approach. This study was conducted in four classes. Two classes were chosen for experimental class which consisted of 30 male students of IPA 3 and 30 female students of IPA 6. Meanwhile, two other classes were chosen as control class, they were 30 male students of IPA 1 and 30 female students of IPA 4. The instrument used was learners’ motivation questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using Kruskal-Wallis test with SPSS 17.0 for Windows at significant level of 0.05. The Chi-test results showed that the P-value < critical limit in which learning motivation was 0.000

Introduction: The authors present the rare yet enigmatic phenomenon of ‘pyelo-renal’ backflow. Case Presentation: An eight-month-old boy with multiple congenital anomalies underwent left Anderson-Hynes Pyeloplasty for pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction. Antegrade dye-study done through the nephrostomy revealed obstruction at the level of the pelvi-ureteric junction, yet the contrast was visualized in the pelvis of contralateral kidney and urinary bladder (pyelo-venous backflow) masquerading as vesicoureteric reflux. The phenomenon of ‘pyelo-renal’ backflow along with pyelo-tubular, pyelo-interstitial, pyelo-sinusal and pyelo-lymphatic backflow have been described and the respective mechanisms discussed. Conclusion: The phenomenon is known to happen in the presence of obstruction to outflow from renal pelvis thereby creating a closed compartment. Injection of contrast at a pressure above the critical limit may result in forniceal tears and back-flow of contrast into the renal tubules and beyond.

The Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 caused an unprecedented imbalance between an increasing number of hemodialysis patients and medical staff shortage in the Sousou area, the site of the Fukushima nuclear power plants. In 2014, capacity of our hemodialysis center reached a critical limit due to such an imbalance. We attempted to evaluate the effort of medical staff to clarify to what extent their burden had increased post-disaster. The ratio of total dialysis sessions over total working days of medical staff was determined as an approximate indicator of effort per month. The mean value of each year was compared. Despite fluctuations of the ratio, the mean value did not differ from 2010 to 2013. However, the ratio steadily increased in 2014, and there was a significant increase in the mean value. This proposed indicator of the effort of medical staff appears to reflect what we experienced, although its validity must be carefully examined in future studies.

A new form of the crack propagation law is presented for cyclic crack propagation calculations. It is characterized by a multiplicative juxtaposition of the Paris range, the threshold and critical limit and the R -dependence. The latter is covered by a modified Walker approach, in which the influence of small cycles at high R -ratios is appropriately adjusted. The concrete form of the R -dependence was validated by application to a wide range of materials.

Steel plate girders with long or unstiffened web panels are often tapered to produce optimized members in buildings and bridges. Web shear strength is a critical limit state for these members because they usually have slender webs. Historically, shear has been apportioned to the web using two methods. The most common method is to assign the entire shear to the web. Alternatively, the Modified Shear Method considers the vertical component of each flange force resulting in web shear force not equal to the total shear. The first objective of this research was to experimentally determine the accuracy of these methods. It was found that the Modified Shear Method accurately predicted the shear resisted by the web at all 18 instrumented cross-sections in ten tested specimens. Several methods for predicting shear strength of unstiffened and long prismatic web panels are available in the literature. The second major objective of this research was to determine if one or more of these methods accurately predicts tapered member shear strength. Measured ultimate shear strengths were compared to predictions. Methods based on Basler's method provided inaccurate predictions. Methods based on Hoglund's method and the method by Lee and colleagues provided accurate predictions.

Slope stability monitoring and evaluating play vital role in the risk management of open cast mines. Generally, Issue of slope failure occurs at open cast mines due to undisciplined mining, impacts of weather conditions. Slope stability radar provide slope stability warning impending failure and also it has used for setting out threshold value. This threshold value obtained from parameter value, some previous scan data of radar at open cast mines and applied statistical analysis. After that it has carried out accurate result of slope stability monitoring area and remotely scanning region slopes to continuously measure any surface movements.

This paper aims to investigate the magnitude of minimum blank holder gap to prevent wrinkles and cracks defects of the rectangular cup with T4 material Tin Plate CA. Punch-die domensions are determined based on the standard tool designed. The methods of this research are an analytic, finite element (FE), and experimental approach, respectively. Each method in this study had been mutually compared to other methods. According to the research, minimum blank holder gap is recommended by 120% to 130% of the thickness of the initial material (about 0.24 A· 0.26 mm). By using the value of this gap, the height of wrinkles is very small, and the magnitude of the drawing force is still below the critical limit, so the product does not occur wrinkles and cracks.

This chapter provides a synoptic view of the distribution, conservation and importance of the connectivity of coastal wetlands of central Chile. For this, a methodology was developed to identify coastal wetlands present in central Chile (30 °S and 41 °40’S), through the analysis of 13 multispectral images Landsat ETM + for the spring-summer seasons of 2000 and 2001. Furthermore, we analyzed the degree in which the identified wetlands are contained within the Chilean protected area network, and carried out a connectivity analysis using graph theory. This analysis, despite being preliminary, allow us to draw a number of simple conclusions, of great importance for the management and protection of these ecosystems. On one hand, the latitudinal tendencies in distribution and area of these ecosystems suggest that their average number and extension increase in the north-south direction, and that the degree of protection these sites have is relatively acceptable, but that this would greatly increase if the Priority Sites were included in the analysis. On the other hand, the connectivity analysis suggests that those organisms whose movement distances are below 10–20 km, perceive the landscape as highly fragmented and slightly heterogeneous. Finally, the analysis of the contribution of different coastal wetlands to the connectivity of the system allows us to highlight that, in general, most of the wetlands are important for maintaining connectivity of species with movement capacity below the critical limit of 10–20 km.

Being a member of the EU, today the Czech Republic is not entirely dependent on domestic production of food and farming commodities. Since borders inside the EU are open, particular commodities can flow without any tariff measures. But food self-sufficiency belongs to internal factors of national security and therefore it deserves sufficient attention. The aim of this article is to evaluate, based on an analysis, the self-sufficiency rate of the Czech Republic and Poland in selected commodities of crop production between marketing years 2000/2001-2009/2010, with special attention to the most important and cultivated commodities - basic cereals, oilseeds, corn and potatoes. Based on analyses of self-sufficiency rate it can be concluded, that both countries can be considered as stabilised with restpect to rate of self-sufficency of selected crops - none of the presented groups falls under 80%. For most described commodities the trend of self-sufficiency rate in the Czech Republic and Poland is stabilised or growing. Only production of potatoes is coming close to critical treshhold in CZ, therefore national strategies should be put in place to maintain the self-sufficiency rate above the critical limit. After an analysis of internation trade it can be concluded that the Czech Republic is specialised exporter of not-processed commodities but country significantly falls behind Poland in competitiveness of processing of commodities.

We compared Pb concentration in human milk from 37 mothers living in a neighborhood of tin-ore smelters to that from 45 mothers living in a fishing community. The median breast-milk-Pb (BM-Pb) concentration was significantly (p = 0.0000001) higher (11.3 μg L(-1); ≤0.96-29.4 μg L(-1)) in mothers living in the vicinity of smelters than that of rural mothers (1.9 μg L(-1); ≤0.96-20.0 μg L(-1)). These mothers also showed a statistically significant correlation between length of residence and BM-Pb concentration (Spearman r = 0.6864; p0.0001). The estimated median exposure (for infants6 months) was 3.0 μg kg(-1) b.w. for rural infants compared to 7.5 μg kg(-1) b.w. for infants in the vicinity of metal smelters. Overall, most BM-Pb concentrations (79 %) in the metal smelter area were above the critical limit of 5.0 μg L(-1) set by the WHO.

Microfracture (MFX) is a cartilage repair technique that depends on cell migration from marrow-rich trabecular bone cavities into the cartilage lesion. This study tested the hypothesis that MFX awls with distinct geometry generate different hole shapes and variable bone marrow access in condyles with Grade III to IV lesions. Lateral and medial condyles from total knee arthroplasty ( N = 24 male and female patients, 66 ± 9 years) were systematically microfractured ex vivo to 2 and 4 mm deep and the bone holes analyzed by micro-computed tomography. Subchondral bone in lesional condyles showed different degrees of sclerosis up to 2 mm deep (“porous,” sclerotic, extremely dense). MFX holes ranged from 1.1 to 2.0 mm in diameter, and retained the awl shape with evidence of slight bone elastic rebound and bone compaction lining the holes that were increased by wider awl diameter and deeper MFX. Marrow access was significantly diminished by sclerosis for all three awls, with an average marrow access varying from 70% (nonlesional bone) to 40% (extremely dense bone). This study revealed that subchondral bone sclerosis can reach a critical limit beyond which MFX creates bone compaction and fissures instead of marrow access.

Stress intensity factor (K) is the measure of severity of stress at the crack tip. When K exceeds the critical limit (i.e., the material fracture toughness), the crack grows. K is valid in brittle materials (LEFM) and to some extent in ductile materials also provided there is small scale yielding (SSY) at the crack tip. The paper reviews the numerical methodology to obtain KI of ductile, Mode I cracked, CT and SENB test specimens in LEFM and SSY regimes with the help of J integral method. The numerical values are successfully compared with the theoretical values.

Polymenorrhea is a hormonal disorder by the age of the corpus luteum shortenedso that the menstrual cycle becomes shorter. IUD (Intra Uterine Device) or is atool made of smooth plastic metal usually copper or copper salts made in variousforms. How it works is as follows when IUD is located in the womb there was achange in indometrium resulting in damage (lysis) of spermatozoa that canfertilize the ovum. This procedure will affect the menstrual cycle of woman whichis called polymenorrhea.This study aimed to determine the effect of the use of IUD on the incidence ofpolymenorrhea in women of childbearing age.This type of research isanalytic, research with cross sectional approach. Results:The results of the study showed that IUD users as many as 18 people (60%),while the womans who do not used IUD or have history of using IUD as many as12 peoples (40%). IUD users who experienced polymenorrhea were 4 peoples(13.3%) It can be concluded that there was no influence between the use of IUDwith the incidence polymenorrhea. The respondents with a significance level usedis 95% then the critical limit of 0.05, while the result p = 0.079.Keywords: IUD, polymenorrhea, Women of childbearing age.

High-temperature and humidity environment has a serious impact on the military vehicle personnel. The effects of high temperature and humidity on the physiological and psychological effects of personnel were analyzed in this paper. According to the physiological temperature limit, working environment and labor intensity of military vehicle, the temperature safety limit and the critical limit value were proposed. On the basis of the research, the temperature change of military vehicle was studied, and the limit temperature was analyzed, which provides the data and basis for the operation time and safety of military vehicles in hot and humid areas.

The purpose of this study was to apply in the HACCP(Hazard Analysis Critical control) system of liquefied coffee and sikhe. The establishment of Critical limit during sterilization processing was measured by sterilization temperature and sterilization time for 30 days from April 1∼30, 2012, and it was conducted at P company in Jincheon (Chungcheongbuk-do), korea. As a result, microbial(coliform, bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and yeast & mold) of sikhe and liquefied coffee were detected before sterilization. In contrat, all microbial was not detected to Sikhe(238mL Can, 500mL and 300mL PP, 1.8L PP) after sterilization (15±1, 35±1 and 45±1 mins at 121±1℃, respectively) and Liquefied coffee was not detected after sterilization(121±1℃, 20±1 mins). The sterilizer condition for deciding the most temperature and time were 121±1℃, 20±1 mins. In conclusion, the sterilization process would be a great alternative to prevention, decreasing and removing of harmful microorganism, such as general bacteria, coliform and pathogenic bacteria etc. Therefore, the critical limit of sterilization temperature and time for quality control and biosafety was established at 121±1℃, 20±1 mins. And it suggests that HACCP plan is necessary for monitoring method, monitoring cycle, solving method, education, training and record management during sterilization processing.

This research aims to audit foodservice sanitation management practices and to assess microbiological quality of foods and their food contact environments in kindergartens. Sanitation auditing was conducted in 10 kindergartens in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon areas to assess the levels of safety practices. Results revealed that the surveyed kindergartens scored 41.4 out of 100 points, on average. The average scores of each category were 6.4/11 (58.1%) for facilities sanitation, 4.2/12 (35.0%) for equipment sanitation, 2.4/10 (24.0%) for personal hygiene, 5.1/10 (51.0%) for food ingredients management, 6.0/17 (35.3%) for production process, 5.4/10 (54.0%) for environmental sanitation, 2.0/6 (33.3%) for kitchen utensils sanitation, and 2.2/6 (96.7%) for safety management. Microbiological quality of raw, prepared foods, personal sanitation (hands), environmental sanitation, and drinking water were assessed. Total plate counts (TPC) of the following menus exceeded the critical limit: seasoned leek (5 log CFU/g), cucumber (5.0 log CFU/g), panbroiled fish paste (TNTC at 10 4 ), tangpyeongchae (5.3

The current seismic design specification (AISC 341-05) requires that column splices in moment frames, when not made using complete joint penetration (CJP) welds, be designed to develop the flexural strength of the smaller connected column and the shear demand associated with flexural hinging at the top and bottom of a spliced column at a given story. AISC 341-05 assumes that the beam-to-column connection would reach its critical limit state before the column splice does. Estimating seismic demands on column splices involves both ground motion and structural parameters, i.e., it is a high order nonlinear and complex problem. This study presents a Neural Network (NN) model to estimate the seismic demands on column splices in low-, medium-, and high-rise steel moment frames. Nine input parameters and 6 output parameters were used to construct the NN model. The effect of each input parameter on the output parameters (seismic demands on column splices and frame) was investigated through a sensitivity analysis based on the NN model.

Endothelial cell loss after penetrating keratoplasty leads to graft failure. The critical limit of the endothelial cell count for corneal decompensation is thought to be 700 cells/mm2. Clinical specular microscopy indicates that inspite of low endothelial cell density, the corneal graft can be maintained in a relatively dehydrated state. This study reports 4 cases of clear corneal graft having low endothelial cell count. The low endothelial cell count was associated with polymegathism and pleomorphism; inspite of this, the clarity of the graft was maintained.

This study investigated the available and utilized friction during non-slip gait in level walking, and determined the limit which human starts to walk carefully to adapt to slippery surface. Sixteen floor–footwear-contaminant conditions with different slipperiness (dynamic coefficient of friction, DCOF, from 0.11 to 1.06) were employed. Fifteen harnessed Chinese male performed ten self-paced walking trials in each condition without slips. The utilized friction (COFu) was obtained from the maximum value of shear to normal ground reaction force ratio during the first 25% stance. ANOVA and Tukey tests showed three subsets with similar COFu, and confirmed the hypothesis that the utilized friction drops gradually when the available friction drops below a certain critical limit. Non-linear regression models were applied to the data to determine the COFu to be 0.20 and the limit of available ground friction which human starts to walk carefully to adapt to slippery surface (DCOFlimit) to be 0.41.

Preventive lightning protection (PLP) deals with situations, when risk of injury or damage caused by lightning strike is prevented not by primary or secondary lightning protection, but by the information of preventive measures. This paper represents, how an expert system can be used to help decision making to select appropriate measures in preventive protection. The system is used to approximate the relationship between the collected data and the actual risk level, the time after a risk reaches the critical limit, the speed of change of risk. The paper presents an example with different situations where the described method improves the prevention time.

Summary Critical control points (CCPs) were identified in the risk assessment of octopus (Octopus vulgaris) processing and implemented in the hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) plan. In the hazard analysis worksheet the different hazards were identified at each processing stage, whereas in the HACCP plan each CCP is identified and accompanied with the relevant significant hazard, critical limit, monitoring of the CCP and corrective actions. In this work comparison of ISO 22000 analysis with HACCP is carried out over octopus processing and packaging. ISO 22000 Analysis Worksheet was employed for determination of some prerequisite programmes (PrPs). Comparison between the two systems has been carried out using the hazard analysis worksheet. The PrPs are the main difference between the two systems. The incorporation of PrPs in the ISO 22000 made the system more flexible as a smaller number of CCPs was introduced.

Producing energy to supply the demands of our societies is reaching a critical limit. To tackle this issue, there is a slow renaissance of fission reactors and the push to realise fusion reactors. The safe, reliable and optimal performance of fusion and fission plants is dependent on the choice of suitable materials used as components and fuels. As these materials are degraded by their exposure to high temperatures, irradiation and a corrosive environment, it is necessary to address the issue of long term degradation of materials under service exposure in advanced plants. A higher confidence in life-time assessments of these materials requires an understanding of the related physical phenomena on a range of scales from the atomic level of single defect energetics all the way up to macroscopic effects.

SUMMARYObtaining accurate estimates of the metabolizable energy (ME) intake (MEI; MJ/day) of individual grazing ruminants is an important requirement for effective nutritional management and genetic selection of energy efficient ruminants. Diet digestibility and the daily methane production rate (MPR; MJ/day) of ruminants can be closely linked with their MEI, so published data were examined to determine whether MEI could be accurately estimated from digestibility, MPR and other parameters able to be measured on grazing animals. Four modelling approaches were assessed or developed to estimate MEI: (i) a published fixed proportional relationship between the non-metabolizable losses of MPR and urinary energy (UE; MJ/day); (ii) the proportion of energy digestibility (EngDig); (iii) MPR and the ruminal factors that influence the stoichiometric relationships between MPR and MEI; and (iv) the calculated ME arising from rumen fermentation (MEf; MJ/day). Data to develop the models (n=61) were collected across three publications (Paper) where the Paper effect was treated as a random-effect variable. Each of the models (1–4) was challenged with an independent data set (n=19). The inclusion of MEf (P=0·01) to predict MEI [MEI=0·18 (2·03)+3·42 (0·36)×sqrt(MEf) (d.f.=57; residual log likelihood=173·6)] had the lowest mean square error of prediction (MSEP) when challenged with the independent data set; mean bias of −0·42 MJ/day (P

Background: Accreditation agencies now require clinical laboratories to list critical limits, formulate notification procedures, document critical results, and notify clinicians. The objective of this study has been to perform a retrospective review of our critical value notification procedure and improve it by reaching a consensus with our clinicians. Methods: The main outcome measures were the number of critical values (CVs) reported in our laboratory and the number and rate of CVs if we had applied the universal critical limit list used by the majority and the supercritical limit list. Results: Fifty-four CVs were reported with 660 theoretical CVs and 120 supercritical CVs. The list CV and notification procedure was improved according to expert opinion. Conclusion: Every laboratory should have at its disposal a procedure to notify critical results. A consensus should be reached with clinicians to establish a specific list of critical limits according to the type of patient and the timeliness of laboratory tests.

The present paper deals with the failure analysis of an input shaft of skip drive gearbox, which had failed after 13 months of service against an expected life of 15 years. Evidences suggest that the input shaft has failed by stress corrosion cracking (SCC). After initiation at the keyway edges, the cracks have propagated progressively along the circumference of the fillet. Once the cross section of the shaft reduced below the critical limit, it has failed by sudden torsional overload. Investigation revealed that use of improper steel with high amount of MnS was responsible for the SCC.

This paper presents the application of probabilistic techniques to the load capacity assessment of a post-tensioned concrete slab bridge which was built in 1959 outside Copenhagen. The bridge failed to demonstrate the required capacity following a deterministic assessment and as such was deemed to require repair or replacement. Following the Danish Roads Directorates stated policy of performing probabilistic assessment, where deemed beneficial, prior to repairing or replacing, the structure was probabilistically assessed according to the newly developed Danish guideline for Reliability Based Classification of the Load Carrying Capacity of Existing Bridges. The paper presents the techniques employed in modelling the critical limit state, as well as the statistical techniques employed in modelling loads, resistance and associated uncertainties. Ultimately, the structure was shown to have sufficient load carrying capacity and as such the scenario of expensive repairs or replacement was avoided, with significant financial benefits to the bridge owner.

When standing on both feet the mean height of the arch at the tangent to the medial plantar imprint is 5 mm at the age of 4 years. The "critical limit" is approx. 2 mm. The height of the medial longitudinal arch increases each year. The increase is greater at the age of three than at six years, and should be at least 1 mm between the third and fourth years of life. Girls have higher arches than boys of the same age. The medial longitudinal arch is lower in children with superextensible knee joints and hypermobile ankle joints. The talocalcaneonavicular joint becomes more mobile as the height of the medial longitudinal arch increases.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchases boneless and ground beef for distribution to recipients through federal nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program, which represents 93% of the overall volume. Approximately every 2,000 lb (ca. 907 kg) of boneless beef and 10,000 lb (ca. 4,535 kg) of ground beef are designated a "lot" and tested for Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, standard plate count organisms (SPCs), E. coli, and coliforms. Any lot of beef positive for E. coli O157:H7 or for Salmonella, or any beef with concentrations of organisms exceeding critical limits for SPCs (100,000 CFU g(-1)), E. coli (500 CFU g(-1)), or coliforms (1,000 CFU g(-1)) is rejected for purchase by AMS and must be diverted from federal nutrition assistance programs. From July 2011 through June 2014, 537,478,212 lb (ca. 243,795,996 kg) of boneless beef and 428,130,984 lb (ca. 194,196,932 kg) of ground beef were produced for federal nutrition assistance programs. Of the 230,359 boneless beef samples collected over this period, 82 (0.04%) were positive for E. coli O157:H7, 924 (0.40%) were positive for Salmonella, 222 (0.10%) exceeded the critical limit for SPCs, 69 (0.03%) exceeded the critical limit for E. coli, and 123 (0.05%) exceeded the critical limit for coliforms. Of the 46,527 ground beef samples collected over this period, 30 (0.06%) were positive for E. coli O157:H7, 360 (0.77%) were positive for Salmonella, 20 (0.04%) exceeded the critical limit for SPCs, 22 (0.05%) exceeded the critical limit for E. coli, and 17 (0.04%) exceeded the critical limit for coliforms. Cumulatively, these data suggest beef produced for the AMS National School Lunch Program is done so under an adequate food safety system, as indicated by the low percentage of lots that were pathogen positive or exceeded critical limits for indicator organisms.

The hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) system, created to prevent disease hazards caused by food and to provide food safety, has gained increasing importance in food and beverage businesses (FBBs). This part of the food industry can benefit at economic and human levels from the establishment and the effective management of such a system. The contribution first reviews the concepts and explains the methodology underlying the HACCP system. The different stages necessary to establish an efficient HACCP system in FBBs are outlined. In the concluding part, an exemplary implementation of the system in a fast food business is described.

This chapter focuses on the use of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles in the development of retail food safety programs (i.e., retail HACCP-based food safety programs). Retail Preventive Control Plans (PCPs) are also discussed.

Resorption is the main reason for loss of replanted teeth. The outcome examined in this study is the timing of the onset of resorption. The effect of dichotomised dry and wet time intervals as well as the presence of additional crown damage and of contamination were determined. Of 84 replanted teeth, 67.5% developed resorptions. Twenty-eight had detectable additional crown damage with a more rapid onset being seen in these cases (P=0.009). The critical limit for dry time was 15 min (P=0.038) and significant differences persisted for greater limits also. Serial analysis of the association between the time of onset of root resorption and dichotomised wet time variables failed to yield any significant associations. There was visible contamination detected in 32 teeth and these exhibited a more rapid onset of resorption than the other cases (P=0.030). Teeth with inflammatory root resorption (12.8%) had a more rapid onset of resorption than those that developed replacement resorption (54.7%) (P

Microbiological control of raw milk quality at the dairy plant is an important step before appropriate decisions concerning the milk processing can be made. This step is therefore considered a CCP in the HACCP plans. Under the European Union (EU) law, 105 bacteria ml−1 at this point of the process are the critical limit enforced through the Directive 92/46 EEC. In the present work, the authors propose shifting the monitoring from procedures based only in temperature measurement to direct microbial count in milk using an ATP bioluminescence method, thus improving compliance at the CCP mentioned.

This study reports an effect of more than two consecutive noun phrases (NPs) with the same nominative case marker, -ga, on ratings of processability for Japanese multiply center-embedded sentences. The findings imply that the processing overload theory of Babyonyshev and Gibson (1995) requires modification. Although that theory sets the critical limit (beyond which parser breakdown occurs) at four processing load units (PLUs), it appears that the parser is overloaded by anything over five PLUs. where a three NP-ga sequence contributes roughly an additional PLU to processing cost. The evidence also suggests that inherently cased NPs are not cost free.

A critical limit protocol requiring that all point of care glucose meter readings22.2 mmol/L (400 mg/dL) and2.2 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) be immediately confirmed by the laboratory was assessed. A total of 193 (2%) of 9,523 glucose meter determinations (63 patients) were22.2 or2.2 mmol/L. One hundred twenty-two (63%) of critically high and low glucose readings were followed up, and 71 (37%) results were not. Seventy-seven percent (55 of 71) of results without follow up were in patients with multiple glucose meter/central lab comparisons, suggesting that users may have thought it unnecessary to confirm such results. Split sample quality control specimens showed good correlation (r = 0.927) between glucose meter and central lab results, whereas correlation for follow-up glucose results was poorer (r = 0.793), perhaps reflecting time delay in obtaining a lab sample. For follow-up results, only 18% of high/low critical limit glucose meter readings were confirmed by drawing a lab specimen within 10 minutes. Fifty-eight percent were in 17 patients with multiple previous glucose meter readings, suggesting that users may have though it less urgent to confirm a sequence of such results. Eleven follow-up results (9%) showed a50% discordance between glucose meter/central lab with three (27%) glucose meter errors, emphasizing the need to confirm critically high/low glucose meter results to avoid potential errors. The critical limit protocol now requires that only the initial critically high/low glucose meter reading be confirmed by the lab and that these patients now be followed with lab values until glucose levels are between 5.6-16.7 mmol/L (100-300 mg/dL) before the glucose meter can again be used.

Buoyancy-driven motion of viscous drops and air bubbles through a vertical capillary with periodic constrictions is studied. Experimental measurements of the average rise velocity of buoyant drops are reported for a range of drop sizes in a variety of two-phase systems. The instantaneous drop shapes at various axial positions within the capillary are also quantitatively characterized using digital image analysis. Periodic corrugations of the capillary wall are found to have a substantial retarding effect on the mobility of drops in comparison with previous experimental results in a straight cylindrical capillary. For systems characterized by small Bond numbers, drop deformations are found to be periodic. In large Bond number systems, however, drop breakup eventually occurs as the drop size is increased beyond a critical limit. The observed mode of breakup is a tail-pinching process similar to that observed by Oibricht and Leal (1983) for pressure-driven motion of low viscosity ratio drops through a sinuso...

Among the abdominal organs, the intestine is probably the most sensitive to ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), a phenomenon that occurs in many intestinal disorders. Few studies have reported in detail the impact of intestinal ischemia time in mice. We evaluated the effect of various warm intestinal ischemia times in an intestinal IRI model in mice. Adult male Balb/c mice were divided into 4 groups that differed in intestinal ischemia time: G1, 30; minutes; G2, 35 minutes; G3, 40 minutes; and G4, 45 minutes. Histological evaluation showed average Park scores as follows: G1 0.6 ± 0.55; G2 1.8 ± 0.45; G3 4.8 ± 2.25; and G4 5 ± 1.79. All animals from G1 survived 30 hours. G2 animals showed intermediate behavior with all succumbing between 18 and 30 hours postprocedure. G3 and G4 displayed similar survival results with animals succumbing before 6 hours after intestinal reperfusion. These data showed that Park index scores of 3 or higher were related to early death. We concluded that the 5 minutes between 35 and 40 minutes is the critical limit, after which all mice die after reperfusion. This result may represent a valuable tool for future research in mice.

Increase of optical power in fiber marches toward critical limit, hence new class of fiber and transmission technologies are indispensable for sustainable growth of fiber network. Multi-core fiber centric R&D initiatives started in Japan on 2008.

Factors influencing the degree of annoyance caused by tinnitus and the clinical effectiveness of ibudilast (Ketase) in the treatment of tinnitus were analyzed in 43 patients complaining of persistent tinnitus.1) Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the degree of annoyance caused by tinnitus tended to be worsened by the awareness of hearing loss (p

Laboratory tests were carried out on ox bone to evaluate the thermal effect of eight different saw blades while cutting cortical bone. These saw blades represented the usual clinical blades as well as saw blades specially manufactured in an attempt to decrease the temperature. Temperatures between 34 degrees C and 450 degrees C were registered in the saw blades. Only three measurements (of 219 tests) were below 44 degrees-47 degrees C, which is a critical limit for heat-induced bone necrosis. This test indicates that alternating saw blade design is not a way to control the temperature elevation during cutting of bone in orthopaedic procedures.