The Design of Eman, an Experiment Manager

We present eman, a tool for managing large numbers of computational experiments. Over the years of our research in machine translation (MT), we have collected a couple of ideas for efficient experimenting. We believe these ideas are generally applicable in (computational) research of any field. We incorporated them into eman in order to make them available in a command-line Unix environment. The aim of this article is to highlight the core of the many ideas. We hope the text can serve as a collection of experiment management tips and tricks for anyone, regardless their field of study or computer platform they use. The specific examples we provide in eman’s current syntax are less important but they allow us to use concrete terms. The article thus also fills the gap in eman documentation by providing some high-level overview

Microparticle surface layering through dry coating: impact of moisture content and process parameters on the properties of orally disintegrating tablets

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of process parameters during dry coating on particle and dosage form properties upon varying the surface adsorbed moisture of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a model filler/binder for orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs). Methods: The moisture content of MCC was optimised using the spray water method and analysed using thermogravimetric analysis. Microproperty/macro-property assessment was investigated using atomic force microscopy, nano-indentation, scanning electron microscopy, tablet hardness and disintegration testing. Key findings: The results showed that MCC demonstrated its best flowability at a moisture content of 11.2% w/w when compared to control, comprising of3.9% w/w moisture. The use of the composite powder coating process (without air) resulted in up to 80% increase in tablet hardness, when compared to the control. The study also demonstrated that surface adsorbed moisture can be displaced upon addition of excipients during dry processing circumventing the need for particle drying before tabletting. Conclusions: It was concluded that MCC with a moisture content of 11% w/w provides a good balance between powder flowability and favourable ODT characteristics

The ultra high resolution XUV spectroheliograph: An attached payload for the Space Station Freedom

The principle goal of the ultra high resolution XUV spectroheliograph (UHRXS) is to improve the ability to identify and understand the fundamental physical processes that shape the structure and dynamics of the solar chromosphere and corona. The ability of the UHRXS imaging telescope and spectrographs to resolve fine scale structures over a broad wavelength (and hence temperature) range is critical to this mission. The scientific objectives and instrumental capabilities of the UHRXS investigation are reviewed before proceeding to a discussion of the expected performance of the UHRXS observatory

Moving the Implementation Line: A Nursing Home’s Path to Success with IT

Organizations continuously need to both update and upgrade their organizational and technological infrastructure to maintain a competitive edge. However, a traditional goal of information systems development is to satisfy a stable set of requirements rather than evolutionary ones. This article embraces the call to develop evolving systems in continuously emergent organizations and to identify the main factors that can lead to continuous system development—a continuously moving implementation line—from within the organization. In doing so, we draw on a longitudinal analysis of the experience of a typical Western nursing home that, in the past 12 years, has aimed to internally develop a healthcare provision and management system to support its evolving needs. Our analysis shows that four factors enable this concurrent change: (1) the internal appreciation of change, (2) the external appreciation of change, (3) enlightened management, and (4) emancipated employees. By controlling for the latter two factors, managers of long-term care centers can motivate employees to contribute to the development of the system over long periods and limit undesired behaviors with information technology (IT). From a theoretical perspective, this research shows that focusing on the implementation line in data analysis can be a constructive device for research. Although this construction is useful for studies on IT-driven organizational change, it should be mandatory for studies on evolving information systems in emergent organizations

APPLYING DIGITAL STORYTELLING TO IMPROVE INDONESIAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ VISUAL MEMORY AND WRITING SKILL

This study investigated the use of digital storytelling in improving students’ visual memory and writing skill of tenth grade students in one of senior high school in Tangerang, Indonesia. A total of 72 students are taken as the sample in the current study. The randomized pretest - posttest control group design was used in the study. Using quasi experimental research-non-equivalent control group design, the students in the experimental groups completed the process through digital storytelling. The students’ test and questionnaires were used to collect the data. In order to test whether there was an improvement within groups and to see if there were differences between groups, the hypotheses were tested using the t-test and obtaining gain scores. The result showed that the visual memory and writing skill of students undergoing digital storytelling technique and of those undergoing conventional teaching but no significant differences were found between the two conditions. They had same proficiency, focused and same concentration during the learning process, and the students had many opinions in experimental class. Based on the percentages, students’ post-test showed that students’ visual memory was more dominant than students’ writing skill after applying digital storytelling. Moreover, this research also found that students’ learning motivation was very good and created a good of class atmosphere in experimental class during the learning process by using digital storytelling

The Missouri Miner, February 05, 1997

https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/missouri_miner/3745/thumbnail.jp

Factors influencing environmental management accounting adoption in oil and manufacturing firms in Libya

This study was conducted to examine the factors that influenced Environmental Management Accounting (EMA) adoption. Specifically, it investigated the influence of the dominant factors in the organizational, environmental and technological contexts on firms’ intentions to adopt EMA. To achieve this objective, eight hypotheses were formulated, with information from previous research and the TOE framework, the TAM model, the contingency theory, the institutional theory, the legitimacy theory, the stakeholder theory and diffusion of the innovation theory. In order to examine these hypotheses, data were collected from financial directors and environmental managers in the oil and the manufacturing firms in Libya, who constituted the sample of this research, by using a researcher-administered questionnaire. A total of 202 usable questionnaires were collected and the data were subjected to tests of variances, factor analysis, correlations and multiple regression. The results revealed that age, education level and tenure in position were among the influential factors on firms’ intention to adopt EMA. The results also showed that Libyan firms in the selected industries were dominated by defender strategy and hierarchy culture, which favoured a centralized management style. However, these practices had a negative influence on firms’ intention to adopt EMA. Furthermore, the results also revealed that organizational, environmental and technological variables significantly influenced firms’ intention to adopt EMA. This study has made useful contributions to current knowledge by providing more explanations on EMA adoption in an unexplored context, and providing further insights into factors that facilitate and impede the adoption of EMA practices. The present study has also filled the gap in the EMA literature by developing a theoretical framework to assess the relationships between the factors within the organizational, environmental, and technological contexts and the intention to adopt EMA. To conclude, this study has provided important insights into the factors that influence the acceptance and adoption of EMA in general, and specifically in Libya. More importantly, this study has opened up possibilities for further research into EMA adoption in Libya and other developing countries, and worldwid

The role of quality labels in farming diversification and rural development

The European Union promotes marketing of quality food products through a quality labelling scheme having three labels known as PDO, PGI and TSG. Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) are two labels that protect products with an association to a particular region. Such products need to have a traditional link with the area as well as unique attributes (known as specifications) that make the product different from the customary. PDO labels designate a product that is linked with an area in every aspect, while PGI labels indicate that the product has a unique geographical link in any phase from its production, processing or preparation. Traditional Speciality Guarantee (TSG) labels are assigned to food products that are produced using a traditional method but can still be reproduced in any other area. Apart from providing consumers with information on their point of origin, EU quality labels are a means to enhance sustainable farming methods and amplify the rural economy. Through a system of certification and uniform enforcement, farmers have the possibility to produce less for more as well as tap value added benefits linked with quality labels. Unfortunately, the concepts of quality labelling and food certification in Malta did not yet take-off. Thus, Malta is missing out on quality food production, consumer satisfaction in buying local food products, increments in the farmers’ pocket, international promotion of local food products and other fringe benefits linked with rural development. This dissertation sheds a light on the prospective of applying EU quality labels to traditional Maltese food products and how such process could be idyllically achieved. From a consumer survey based on 300 respondents, it came out that the majority have never seen a quality label but there is the willingness to pay extra for quality food products. These results were consolidated by opinions gathered through eight interviews with relevant authorities and local producers. Moreover, a study visit linked with this dissertation was held with an Italian certification body in the region of Umbria in Italy. During this week in Perugia, information on quality labels was obtained through interviews as well as by participating in product conformity checks. This dissertation comes to an end by recommending policies that may possibly be adopted so that Maltese products could be able to obtain EU quality labels

Influence of novel techniques on solubility, mechanical properties and permeability via hot melt extrusion technology

Hot melt extrusion (HME) was evaluated as a continuous processing technology for the manufacture of solid dispersions. The aim of the current research project was to study the effect of pressurized carbon dioxide (P-CO2) on the physico-mechanical properties of three different grades of cellulose polymers, Klucel™ ELF, EF and LF hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) resulting from hot melt extrusion techniques, and to assess the plasticization effect of P-CO2 on the tested polymers. The physico-mechanical properties as well as the tablet characteristics of the extrudates with and without injection of P-CO2 and with non-extruded polymers were examined. P-CO2 acted as plasticizer for Klucel™ LF, EF and ELF and allofor a reduction in processing temperature during the extrusion process by 20°C as compared to the processing temperature without injecting P-CO2. Furthermore, the CO2 served as a pore former and produced foam-like structure extrudates. This morphological change resulted in an increase in bulk and tap density as well as surface area and porosity. Additionally, the hardness of the tablets of the polymers with P-CO2 was increased compared to polymer processed without P-CO2 and the non-extruded polymer. Moreover, the % friability of the tablets improved using P-CO2 processed polymer. Thus good binding properties and compressibility of the extrudates were positively influenced utilizing P-CO2 processing. The interest to incorporate a model was increased to investigate the effect of pressurized carbon dioxide (P-CO2) on the physico-mechanical properties as well as the drug release behavior. Ketoprofen (KTP), used as a model drug, was incorporated with hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) (Klucel™ ELF, EF and LF) as a polymeric carrier to produce KTP amorphous solid dispersion using HME technique. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to evaluate and confirm the formulations thermal stability. Differential Scanning Calorimetery (DSC) was performed to evaluate the physical state of KTP in the extrudates. The microscopic morphology of the extrudates was changed to a foam-like structure due to expansion of the CO2 at the extrusion die. The foamy extrudates demonstrated enhanced KTP release compared to the extrudates processed without P-CO2 due to the increase in porosity and surface area of those extrudates. The moisture content of the extrudates processed with P-CO2 was slightly increased and this played a significant role in increasing KTP tablet hardness and decreasing percent friability. A concern with HME is the limitation of the drug loading due to drug-polymer miscibility. In order to solve this issue, we investigated the effect of foam like structure produced by pre P-CO2 on the drug loading and the dissolution profile of carbamazepine (CBZ) and low molecular weight hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) matrices using HME technique. The resulted extrudates with P-CO2 injection exhibited higher surface area and porosity compared to the extrudates processed without P-CO2. Moreover, the CBZ release profile of the 20-50% drug load formulations processed with P-CO2 injection shoalmost complete drug release within 2 hours. In contrast, the drug release profiles of 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% CBZ/ Klucel™ ELF formulations processed without P-CO2 injection exhibited 90%, 86%, 80% and 73% CBZ drug release, respectively. In conclusion, HME processing assisted with P-CO2 increased the drug loading capability of CBZ in KlucelTM ELF polymeric matrix as well as optimized CBZ drug- release profiles. Drug permeability and dissolution rate are considered as key to predict the drug bioavailability. HME was used as an approach to improve solubility and permeability of the psychoactive natural product piperine. Piperine 10–40% w/w formulated in Eudragit® EPO/ Kollidon® VA 64 or Soluplus® formulation was used in this study to investigate the efficiency of various polymers to enhance the solubility and permeability of piperine via HME technique to ultimately increase its systemic absorption of the compound. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images shoabsence of crystals in 10% w/w piperine/Soluplus® indicating that piperine was dispersed in the Soluplus® polymer carrier in its amorphous form. However, crystals were evident in all other formulations with different ratios. Solubility of 10% and 20% piperine/Soluplus® was increased more than 160 and 45 folds in water, respectively. Furthermore, permeability studies using non- everted rat intestinal sac model demonstrated the enhancement in piperine absorption of the 10% w/w piperine/Soluplus® extrudates up to 158.9 ?g/5mL compared to 1.4 ?g/5mL in the case of pure piperine within 20 minutes