The development and institutionalisation of an integrated health care waste information system

Includes bibliographical references.Waste management generally in South Africa is poorly defined and practised, and the inadequate management of health care waste (HCW) has been recognised by the South African government as a significant environmental and public health risk. The literature revealed that an integrated health care waste information system (IHCWIS) serves as an important intervention to address the issue of poor health care waste management (HCWM). The overall key research question which this research asked was: "How does an IHCWIS develop and become institutionalised among health care waste generators?" The aim of the research was to gather empirical data to understand how the development and institutionalisation of an IHCWIS contributes to effective HCWM

Effect of polymer-based rotary file in root canal irrigation on smear layer removal: a SEM study

Introduction: Removing of smear layer is an essential step for endodontic success. Smear layer is composed of an amorphous layer of organic and inorganic materials. It acts as a physical barrier interfering with adhesion and penetration of the sealer into the dentinal tubule. The aim of this study was to compare the cleaning efficiency of smear layer removal on prepared root canal surfaces by using syringe irrigation method and polymer-based rotary file for fluid agitation under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Indoor Cooperative Localization for Ultra Wideband Wireless Sensor Networks

In recent years there has been growing interest in ad-hoc and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for a variety of indoor applications. Localization information in these networks is an enabling technology and in some applications it is the main sought after parameter. The cooperative localization performance of WSNs is ultimately constrained by the behavior of the utilized ranging technology in dense cluttered indoor environments. Recently, ultra-wideband (UWB) Time-of-Arrival (TOA) based ranging has exhibited potential due to its large bandwidth and high time resolution. However, the performance of its ranging and cooperative localization capabilities in dense indoor multipath environments needs to be further investigated. Of main concern is the high probability of non-line of sight (NLOS) and Direct Path (DP) blockage between sensor nodes, which biases the TOA estimation and degrades the localization performance. In this dissertation, we first present the results of measurement and modeling of UWB TOA-based ranging in different indoor multipath environments. We provide detailed characterization of the spatial behavior of ranging, where we focus on the statistics of the ranging error in the presence and absence of the DP and evaluate the pathloss behavior in the former case which is important for indoor geolocation coverage characterization. Parameters of the ranging error probability distributions and pathloss models are provided for different environments: traditional office, modern office, residential and manufacturing floor; and different ranging scenarios: indoor-to-indoor (ITI), outdoor-to-indoor (OTI) and roof-to-indoor (RTI). Based on the developed empirical models of UWB TOA-based OTI and ITI ranging, we derive and analyze cooperative localization bounds for WSNs in the different indoor multipath environments. First, we highlight the need for cooperative localization in indoor applications. Then we provide comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting localization accuracy such as network and ranging model parameters. Finally we introduce a novel distributed cooperative localization algorithm for indoor WSNs. The Cooperative LOcalization with Quality of estimation (CLOQ) algorithm integrates and disseminates the quality of the TOA ranging and position information in order to improve the localization performance for the entire WSN. The algorithm has the ability to reduce the effects of the cluttered indoor environments by identifying and mitigating the associated ranging errors. In addition the information regarding the integrity of the position estimate is further incorporated in the iterative distributed localization process which further reduces error escalation in the network. The simulation results of CLOQ algorithm are then compared against the derived G-CRLB, which shows substantial improvements in the localization performance

A Great Step Forward. Lithic Raw Material Procurement and Management among Palaeolithic Hunter-Gatherers in the Basque Crossroads

This paper is divided into three sections. The first section describes the historiographic evolution of the study of prehistoric lithic raw materials in the Basque Crossroads (in the north of the Iberian Peninsula) during the last three decades. The second section explains the currently available information about geological outcrops of flint in the eastern end of the Cantabrian Mountain range (the Basque-Cantabrian Basin), the upper Ebro valley and both sides of the western Pyrenees, in the central part of the northern Iberian Peninsula, as that was the main raw material used by hunter-gatherer groups in the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic. Finally, the last section describes the way in which progress in both aspects of research have enabled the introduction of new concepts and perspectives in the reconstruction of the social and economic dynamics of Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers. This has given rise to an innovative methodology that is able to address and solve important issues, particularly regarding mobility and territoriality patterns of those human groups, allowing the proposal of mobility and territoriality models that, while they will not match exactly the systems used by Upper Palaeolithic communities, represent significant progress in understanding the social and economic dynamics of hunter-gatherer groups

Performance measurement for supply chains in the industry 4.0 era: A balanced scorecard approach

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical approach based on the balanced scorecard (BSC) with regard to performance measurement – PM in supply chains for the Industry 4.0 era. Design/methodology/approach: This paper combines the literature of PM and specifically the BSC with the literature related to the dimensions of supply chain in the context of Industry 4.0. Findings: Dimensions extracted from the literature based on supply chains within the context of Industry 4.0 showed a strong alignment with the four perspectives of the BSC, which make it suitable to be considered as a performance measurement system (PMS) for supply chains in this new context. Research limitations/implications: From theoretical perspective, this study contributes to the limited literature on PM for supply chains in Industry 4.0 era. The study proposes a supply chain 4.0 Scorecard and strongly support researchers to conduct future empirical researches in order to get a deeper understanding about PM in supply chains in the Industry 4.0 era. As limitations, the theoretical framework proposed needs further empirical research in other to validate it and obtain new insights over the investigation conducted and presented into this paper. Practical implications: Practitioners can use this study as a guide to develop more effective performance measurement systems – PMSs in their organizations. Originality/value: This research is unique as it addresses a significant knowledge gap related to PM in supply chains in the Industry 4.0 era. It brings a significant contribution in terms of understanding how to measure performance in supply chains in this new era

Etude du bruit aux basses fréquences dans les transistors à haute mobilité électronique à base de Nitrure de Gallium

Ce mémoire a pour thème l'étude du bruit de fond aux basses fréquences des transistors microondes de type HEMT sur Nitrure de Gallium (GaN). Le premier chapitre est consacré à la présentation de cette filière technologique. Après une description des propriétés physiques du matériau GaN, le fonctionnement et la fabrication des HEMTs sont détaillés, pour finir sur les performances de ces composants et leurs applications. Le deuxième chapitre décrit les cinq technologies étudiées, ainsi qu'une comparaison de leurs caractéristiques électriques statiques. Le troisième chapitre se rapporte aux mesures de bruit basses fréquences associé au courant de drain. Les mesures sont réalisées en régime ohmique, pour permettre l'extraction du paramètre de Hooge (αH). Pour les deux meilleures technologies étudiées, αH est de l'ordre de 10-4, valeur comparable à celle obtenue pour des filières plus matures, telle que GaAs. L'étude du bruit BF mesuré entre drain et source est ensuite réalisée en fonction de la polarisation du composant, ce qui permet de localiser et de modéliser les sources de bruit prédominantes. Enfin, l'évolution du bruit BF associé au courant de drain en fonction de la température permet d'extraire la signature des pièges profonds. Le quatrième chapitre détaille l'évolution du bruit associé au courant de grille en fonction de la polarisation, et à la corrélation entre le bruit de drain et le bruit de grille. Pour les composants présentant un courant de fuite de grille important, des valeurs proches de 1 indiquent la contribution du bruit du circuit d'entrée au bruit mesuré sur le drain.This report deals with the study of low frequency electrical noise in microwave HEMT, based on Gallium Nitride (GaN). The first chapter details the presentation of GaN HEMTs technology. After a description of GaN physical properties, the fabrication and the operation of HEMTs are described. Finally, a summary of the electrical performances and of the potential applications of those devices is given. The second chapter presents the five technologies under study, and a comparison between the electric static parameters of each technology. The third chapter deals with the LF drain current noise measurements. Measurements are performed in the ohmic regime, which allows the extraction of the Hooge parameter (αH). For the two technologies under study presenting the lowest noise levels, αH is in the range of 10-4, which is comparable to those of mature GaAs technologies. Then, the study of low frequency drain current noise is performed versus the bias of the devices, to locale and model the main noise sources. Then, the evolution of the LF drain current noise versus temperature leads to the extraction of deep level signatures. The last chapter is focused on the low frequency gate current noise analysis versus the bias of HEMTs, and on the correlation between drain and gate noise. For devices presenting high gate leakage current, values of the coherence function close to 1 show the contribution of the input circuit noise on the measured drain noise

Quartzite procurement in conglomerates and deposits:Geoarchaeological characterization of potential catchmentareas in the central part of the Cantabrian Region, Spain

Raw material characterization in Paleolithic archaeology has widened our knowledge of Middle Paleolithic societies. Procurement of raw material, specifically flint, has allowed the tracing of the mobility of both stones and people, as well as selective processes to obtain specific types or even extraction activities. The analysis of quartzite has also developed in recent years, providing an opportunity to better understand prehistoric societies. This study characterizes the procurement strategies implemented by Middle Paleolithic people in the mountainous region of the Picos de Europa. To this end, we present a comprehensive characterization of potential catchment areas: massive outcrops, conglomerates, and river deposits. The exploitation of quartzite at the sites of El Habario and El Arteu allows us to understand the territorial management of this mountainous area through the combination of selective processes and mobility mechanisms in lower and middle altitudes. These perspectives enable us to view the mountainous region not as a barrier but as an environmental mosaic managed by Middle Paleolithic groups. This study shows strategies that bring together direct and embedded procurement based on both intensive and extensive searches. These discourses are more closely related to the daily life of people than those only considering the mobility of people and objects.Education Department of the Government of the Basque Country, Grant/Award Number: POS_2018_1_002; The Spanish Ministry of Science Project, Grant/Award Number: HAR2017-82493-C3-1-P; The Consolidated Research Group in Prehistory of the Basque Country University, Grant/Award Number: IT-1223-1