A review of the mallet impact test for small scale explosive formulations

Presented at 19th Seminar on New Trends of Energetic Materials (NTREM 2016); 20-22/04/2016, Pardubice Czech RepublicDevelopment of new explosive formulations begins with the generation of only a few milligrams of material which is investigated using a number of small scale tests such as DSC, TGA, response to flame, mallet impact (mallet friction either glancing or direct blow) to determine whether the formulation is safe to scale up to 10 g. The latter of these tests, mallet impact, can be particularly subjective as the result is directly influenced by the operator carrying out the assessment. Not only can there be a change from one operator to another but there can also be a change in the force applied during each strike potentially leading to inconsistent results. This study highlights this encountered variation and assesses the load applied by a variety of operators with varying levels of explosive experience. This paper also proposes the use of a small scale laboratory based impact test which would provide improved confidence in the assessment of impact sensitiveness of explosive formulations and assist in justifying whether a formulation can be taken to the next scale. A small scale version of the BAM impact test (EMTAP Test 43) has been devised that allows the comparison of the sensitiveness of small scale formulations relative to RDX (8.7 J, EMTAP Test 43B) whilst also ensuring a reproducible result

Studies related to ocean dynamics. Task 3.2: Aircraft Field Test Program to investigate the ability of remote sensing methods to measure current/wind-wave interactions

The feasibility of remote sensing of current flows in the ocean and the remote sensing of ocean currents by backscattering cross section techniques was studied. It was established that for capillary waves, small scale currents could be accurately measured through observation of wave kinematics. Drastic modifications of waves by changing currents were noted. The development of new methods for the measurement of capillary waves are discussed. Improvement methods to resolve data processing problems are suggested

Grain quality inspection system

A review of grain quality indicators and measurement methods was conducted in order to assess the feasibility of using remote sensing technology to develop a continuous monitoring system for use during grain transfer operations. Most detection methods were found to be too slow or too expensive to be incorporated into the normal inspection procedure of a grain elevator on a continuous basis. Two indicators, moisture content and broken corn and foreign material, show potential for automation and are of an economic value. A microprocessor based system which utilizes commercially available electronic moisture meter was developed and tested. A method for automating BCFM measurement is described. A complete system description is presented along with performance test results

Antipsychotic medication side effects knowledge amongst registered mental health nurses in England: A national survey

© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd What is known on the subject?: Research findings indicate the percentage of knowledge-related errors in medicines management is high, accounting for approximately 75% of all errors, with insufficient knowledge levels one of the most significant contributors of medication errors. Patients should be able to trust nurses to engage therapeutically and actively listen to their needs and concerns, responding using skills that are helpful, providing information that is clear, accurate, meaningful and free from jargon. However, without knowledge of pharmacology, it is impossible for nurses to be able to provide adequate advice. What the paper adds to the existing knowledge?: This study has examined an area that had not yet been systematically examined previously, which draws together previous research findings on mental health nurses' knowledge of adverse events, including side effects and medication errors, related to antipsychotic medication within NHS inpatient settings. What are the implications for practice?: A recent study has found that almost three-quarters (73%) of patients taking antipsychotic medication reported side effects to some degree. This high number of people experiencing antipsychotic medication side effects is likely to compromise care, especially in situations where nurses have inadequate knowledge of side effects and are unable to provide effective advice to patients. The findings from this study allow the mental health nursing profession an opportunity to reflect on the best means to increase knowledge and increase patient safety awareness and benefits for mental health service users. Abstract: Introduction Antipsychotic medications play a significant role in the treatment and recovery of people with several psychiatric disorders. However, research findings indicate mental health nurses are insufficiently knowledgeable about antipsychotic medication side effects. Aim To assess practising mental health nurses' knowledge of antipsychotic medication side effects using a Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) across National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in England. Hypothesis Knowledge of antipsychotic medication side effects amongst registered mental health nurses is related to their academic qualification, clinical banding and length of experience. Method A national survey of registered mental health nurses was carried out using an online questionnaire which was disseminated by Research and Development departments. Results A total of 504 questionnaires were returned, 245 of which had full data and further analysed. The mean score for the sample was 14.4 and only 21 participants attained a mark of >80%. Implications for Practice Two out of three of our hypotheses (that length of experience and clinical banding are directly related to knowledge of antipsychotic medication side effects) were supported. Our study found many nurses have a suboptimal working knowledge of antipsychotic medication side effects which has the potential to compromise care. Strategies need to be put in place to enhance pharmacology knowledge

The complexity of satisfaction problems in reverse mathematics

Satisfiability problems play a central role in computer science and engineering as a general framework for studying the complexity of various problems. Schaefer proved in 1978 that truth satisfaction of propositional formulas given a language of relations is either NP-complete or tractable. We classify the corresponding satisfying assignment construction problems in the framework of reverse mathematics and show that the principles are either provable over RCA or equivalent to WKL. We formulate also a Ramseyan version of the problems and state a different dichotomy theorem. However, the different classes arising from this classification are not known to be distinct.Comment: 19 page

Contourite or turbidite?: magnetic fabric of fine-grained Quaternary sediments, Nova Scotia continental rise

Samples of three piston cores and one gravity core from the Nova Scotia continental rise (depths 4210-4925 m) have been examined to differentiate parallel-to-slope and downslope depositional processes in Quaternary deposits from a region presently influenced by a strong contour current. Measurement of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of samples of a red-brown, silt-laminated lutite 'contourite' facies shows grain alignments which are consistent with both parallel-to-slope (contour current) flow and downslope (turbidity current) flow. We believe that these results provide support for the hypothesis that 'geologically significant' contour currents have influenced continental rise deposition during the Pleistocene. However, our observation that both alongslope and downslope alignments are present in lithologically similar units clearly demonstrates the need for studies on the relationship between lithofacies and process in this geological setting

Adjustment with aphasia after stroke: study protocol for a pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial for SUpporting wellbeing through PEeR Befriending (SUPERB)

Background: Despite the high prevalence of mood problems after stroke, evidence on effective interventions particularly for those with aphasia is limited. There is a pressing need to systematically evaluate interventions aiming to improve wellbeing for people with stroke and aphasia. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a peer-befriending intervention. Methods/design: SUPERB is a single blind, parallel group feasibility trial of peer befriending for people with aphasia post-stroke and low levels of psychological distress. The trial includes a nested qualitative study and pilot economic evaluation and it compares usual care (n = 30) with usual care + peer befriending (n = 30). Feasibility outcomes include proportion screened who meet criteria, proportion who consent, rate of consent, number of missing/incomplete data on outcome measures, attrition rate at follow-up, potential value of conducting main trial using value of information analysis (economic evaluation), description of usual care, and treatment fidelity of peer befriending. Assessments and outcome measures (mood, wellbeing, communication, and social participation) for participants and significant others will be administered at baseline, with outcome measures re-administered at 4 and 10 months post-randomisation. Peer befrienders will complete outcome measures before training and after they have completed two cycles of befriending. The qualitative study will use semi-structured interviews of purposively sampled participants (n = 20) and significant others (n = 10) from both arms of the trial, and all peer befrienders to explore the acceptability of procedures and experiences of care. The pilot economic evaluation will utilise the European Quality of life measure (EQ-5D-5 L) and a stroke-adapted version of the Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI). Discussion: This study will provide information on feasibility outcomes and an initial indication of whether peer befriending is a suitable intervention to explore further in a definitive phase III randomised controlled trial. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02947776, registered 28th October 2016

Gastrostomy uptake in motor neurone disease: a mixed-methods study of patients’ decision making

Objectives: Gastrostomy decision making is a complicated, multifaceted process for people with motor neuron disease (MND). This study explored demographic and disease-related factors that may impact on gastrostomy uptake; and reasons why people with MND accepted or declined gastrostomy, with a focus on how perceptions of swallowing and nutrition may influence decision making.Design: Prospective, cross sectional, mixed methods.Setting: An Australian multidisciplinary, specialty MND Service.Participants: 33 patients were recommended gastrostomy by the treating medical specialist. 16 of 33 were invited to participate in the prospective decision making study; of whom 10 provided informed consent.Primary and secondary outcome measures: Demographic and disease-related factors contributing to uptake are described. A stepped approach was applied to gain a comprehensive understanding of why people with MND accept or decline gastrostomy. Instruments included standardised assessments, nutrition survey and semistructured interview. Data were collected at three separate appointments, spanning a 3-week period.Results: Gastrostomy uptake was 73% following medical specialist recommendation. Participants took days, weeks or months to consider their preferences, with lengthy hospital waiting times for the procedure. Gender, site of onset and rate of disease progression were observed to contribute to uptake. Age and symptom duration did not. Integration of quantitative and qualitative data suggests that patient perceptions of swallowing and nutrition contribute to gastrostomy acceptance; however, the decision making process is heterogeneous and these factors may not be the sole or primary reasons for acceptance. Other reported factors included: reducing carer burden, improving quality of life, increasing independence, continuing participation in social outings and gaining control.Conclusions: Future research may give greater insight into how healthcare organisations can better facilitate gastrostomy decision making, to meet the needs of people living with MND. Larger, prospective, multisite studies may build on these findings to better inform clinical guidelines and minimise the impacts of delayed gastrostomy insertion

A comparative study of p(+)n and n(+)p InP solar cells made by a closed ampoule diffusion

The purpose was to demonstrate the possibility of fabricating thermally diffused p(+)n InP solar cells having high open-circuit voltage without sacrificing the short circuit current. The p(+)n junctions were formed by closed-ampoule diffusion of Cd through a 3 to 5 nm thick anodic or chemical phosphorus-rich oxide cap layer grown on n-InP:S Czochralski LEC grown substrates. For solar cells made by thermal diffusion the p(+)n configuration is expected to have a higher efficiency than the n(+)p configuration. It is predicted that the AM0, BOL efficiencies approaching 19 percent should be readily achieved providing that good ohmic front contacts could be realized on the p(+) emitters of thickness lower than 1 micron

The magnetic fabric of surficial deep-sea sediments in the HEBBLE area (Nova Scotian continental rise)

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of surficial sediments in the HEBBLE area (depth 4820 m, Nova Scotian continental rise) has been measured to study the fabric of these sediments and to relate the sediment fabric to depositional conditions. Previous investigators have established that strong but variable bottom currents are important agents in redistributing bottom sediments in the area. We observe that the upper 1.5 cm of the sediments has a primary fabric (dominantly foliar with horizontal bedding) created by bottom-current activity while sediments deeper than 2.5 cm have a predominantly secondary fabric due to bioturbation. The magnitude of the AMS signal in these sediments is generally low making it difficult to measure some of the fabric elements, especially the direction of the lineated fabric. In the upper 1.5 cm magnetic grains are predominantly oriented parallel to the regional bathymetric contours, but there is also a significant grouping of alignments perpendicular to the contours. Primary fabrics are observed in a few of the samples from the bioturbated sediments with the magnetic grains oriented parallel to the contours. Some of the variability observed between box cores in the magnetic fabric may reflect the variability of depositional conditions within the region. An analysis of the magnitude of the AMS fabric suggests that the parameter Fs, often used to denote bottom-current fabrics, is strongly dependent on the total anisotropy and only weakly dependent on the lineated nature of the fabric. Both primary and secondary fabrics can have relatively large Fs values. Thus Fs does not appear sufficient for delineating bottom current activity in the deep sea