Rapid determination of alumina in diaspore clays

The alumina content of the diaspore clay is the index to its refractoriness, so it is important to know the alumina content of the diaspore clay. Diaspore is mined in comparatively small pits and naturally the alumina content will vary from pit to pit and will vary to a considerable extent in the same pit. Since a uniform finished product is desired, the alumina content of each pit must be known and frequent checks run on the output of the pits. Chemical analysis is the standard method of determining the amount of alumina in clays. The main objections to chemical analysis is the length of time involved in the determination and the lack of information concerning the mineral form of the alumina in the sample. Petrography, X-Ray, and the differential thermal furnace are some methods that have been suggested to overcome the deficiencies of chemical analysis. It is the purpose of this work to discuss these methods and to compare them --Introduction, page v

Effect of seed age and soil texture on germination of some Ludwigia species (Onagraceae) in Nigeria.

Seed germination in Ludwigia was greatly influenced by seed age and soil type. In Ludwigia abyssinica germination was not influenced by seed age and soil texture. Freshly shed seeds and six month old seeds of Ludwigia decurrens variety B showed a very low percentage germination on all the germinationmedia, and six month old seeds germinated significantly earlier than freshly shed seeds. Some soil types could significantly reduce germination of freshly shed seeds of L. hyssopifolia, L. erecta, L. leptocarpa and L. octovalvis var linearis

FAUST2SMARTKEYB: A TOOL TO MAKE MOBILE INSTRUMENTS FOCUSING ON SKILLS TRANSFER IN THE FAUST PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

International audienceIn this paper, we present faust2smartkeyb, a tool to create musical apps for Android and iOS using the FAUST programming language. The use of musical instrument physical models in this context through the FAUST Physical Modeling Library is emphasized. We also demonstrate how this system allows for the design of interfaces facilitating skills transfer from existing musical instruments

Common Law Fiduciary Concepts Extend Liability for Disclosure of Inside Information to Third Parties.

Abstract Forthcoming

Exploring the impact of media consumption on interpersonal interaction intentions: an examination of the social effect of exposure to mental illness

I propose a technique for analyzing the influence of media consumption on social inclinations pertaining to those depicted, an effect which scarcely receives the attention for which it is exceptionally deserving. Via the explication of principal concepts regarding social dispositions and inclinations, and describing how existing psychological and media effects theory can be utilized to predict how media exposure could influence interpersonal inclinations, I produce a model of mediated interaction intentions. Furthermore, I offer an experiment in which various forms of media exposure – all of which would theoretically increase the accessibility of negative conceptions of individuals with mental illness – are examined with regard to their ability to inform social stigma and prejudice perceptions. Those perceptions are then assessed, via meditation modeling, for their impact on interpersonal interaction intentions. The findings are discussed in terms of their support for my overall predicted model. Additionally, where support is observed, particular implications of those findings will be discussed. Where support is not observed, speculation about why expectations were not met will be provided. This dissertation will contribute to the field of media effects research by attempting to provide a holistic account of the impact of media messages on social inclinations by exploring the psychological mechanisms by which depictions indirectly influence interaction intentions. Ultimately, I attempt to provide a model which will be useful to future researchers concerned with the influence of media messages on interpersonal interaction. Though future refinements are likely necessary to enhance the prediction value of this model, it should lay the groundwork for a nuanced conceptualization of the impact of media on social outcomes

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THE MUCOADHESIVE PROPERTIES OF THERMALLY MODIFIED MUCIN ON METRONIDAZOLE TABLETS

Objective: To determine the effect of thermal treatment of mucin on the mucoadhesive and tablet parameters of metronidazole tablets. Methods: Mucin was extracted from the giant African snails (Archachatina maginata) by differential precipitation using acetone, air-dried and pulverized. Modification of the mucin powder was carried out using a regulated water bath at 60 and 100 °C and at varied times of 1 and 12 h and a micro-wave oven at varied wattage (100-600 W) and time. Ten batches of metronidazole tablets (A1-A10) were prepared with the modified mucin by direct compression. Their granules were evaluated for flow properties and the tablets for weight uniformity, crushing strength, friability, drug content and in vitro studies. Tablet mucoadhesion was determined using the mass flow rate method. Results: Granules of all the batches exhibited good flow characteristics with their angles of repose<30 °. Tablets formulated passed the weight variation test with hardness values above 4.0 kp and friability of 1.10-1.85 % while the content of active drug met official compendial requirements. Tablets of treated mucin at 60 °C for 1 and 12 h gave mucoadhesion values of 1.80 g/sec This value was higher than those of the unmodified mucin tablets which gave 0.70 g/sec. Tablets of micro-wave treated mucin gave mucoadhesion values of 1.0-1.30 g/sec, which were also higher than that of the unmodified mucin Conclusion: The study shows that modification of mucin at 60 °C for 1 and 12 h may be considered as the most promising among the batches tested as their tablets had improved mucoadhesive properties compared to the unmodified mucin

SmartWalker, a mobility aid for the elderly

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2001.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-82).In the near future, the baby boomer population will cause a growth in the number of people entering nursing homes. Currently, if people wish to stay out of a nursing home, they must hire a personal aid to take care of daily tasks. A more cost-effective method could be to employ a robotic aid to help with these chores. One such aid is the SmartWalker, a robotic device that would provide health-monitoring sensors, physical support, and help in mobility to the elderly. The focus of this thesis is the design and analysis of the SmartWalker hardware. The design tools necessary to prevent the SmartWalker from slipping, tipping over, and experiencing brake failure are presented. Furthermore, a study of the omnidirectional platform used on the SmartWalker is performed for uneven terrain. It is shown that all of the wheels of the platform touch the ground at the same time. A simulation of a split caster mobility module, the main component of the omnidirectional platform, traversing a bump is also done. This proves that the control algorithms designed for a perfectly flat floor will suffice on an uneven floor. In addition, this thesis discusses the mechanical design that is necessary to build the SmartWalker. The mechanical design focuses on the split caster mobility modules, the slip rings, the frame, and the tradeoffs between strength and weight.by Matthew J. Spenko.S.M

Hazard avoidance for high-speed rough-terrain unmanned ground vehicles

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2005."June 2005."Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-116).High-speed unmanned ground vehicles have important applications in rough-terrain. In these applications unexpected and dangerous situations can occur that require rapid hazard avoidance maneuvers. At high speeds, there is limited time to perform navigation and hazard avoidance calculations based on detailed vehicle and terrain models. Furthermore, detailed models often do not accurately predict the robot's performance due to model parameter and sensor uncertainty. This thesis presents the development and analysis of a novel method for high speed navigation and hazard avoidance. The method is based on the two dimensional "trajectory space," which is a compact model-based representation of a robot's dynamic performance limits on natural terrain. This method allows a vehicle to perform dynamically feasible hazard avoidance maneuvers in a computationally efficient manner. This thesis also presents a novel method for trajectory replanning, based on a "curvature matching" technique. This method quickly generates a path connects the end of the path generated by a hazard avoidance maneuver to the nominal desired path. Simulation and experimental results with a small gasoline-powered high-speed unmanned ground vehicle verify the effectiveness of these algorithms. The experimental results demonstrate the ability of the algorithm to account for multiple hazards, varying terrain inclination, and terrain roughness. The experimental vehicle attained speeds of 8 m/s (18 mph) on flat and sloped terrain and 7 m/s (16 mph) on rough terrain.by Matthew J. Spenko.Ph.D

Are the Goals of Sustainability Interconnected? A Sociological Analysis of the Three E’s of Sustainable Development Using Cross-Lagged Models with Reciprocal Effects

Conceptual discussions of sustainability emphasize the interdependent relationship between relevant social and environmental factors. Yet, traditional quantitative analyses of the topic have tended to estimate the exogenous or direct/indirect effects a predictor variable has on a particular measure of sustainability. We examine the endogenous, interdependent relationship between the three E’s of sustainability (economy, equity, and ecology), incorporating country-level data for 1990 through 2015 into cross-lagged structural equation models with reciprocal and fixed effects. Results from these longitudinal models suggest that over time, at the country level, increasing economic inequality reduces renewable energy consumption, with no evidence of reciprocal feedback. Keeping in mind the limitations of the analysis, we tentatively argue that the modern form of development has constrained the potential for the sustainability goals to feed back into each other

THE FAUST PHYSICAL MODELING LIBRARY: A MODULAR PLAYGROUND FOR THE DIGITAL LUTHIER

International audienceThis paper introduces the FAUST Physical Modeling Library, an environment to create physical models of musical instruments in a modular way in the FAUST programming language. Low and high level elements can be combined to implement existing or completely novel instruments. Various examples of physical models are provided. The combined use of mesh2faust, a tool to generate FAUST physical models from 3D drawings, and of the FAUST Physical Modeling Library is also demonstrated through the implementation of a marimba physical model