Prediction of an Axial Compressor Stage Characteristic from a One-Point Measurement

This study focuses on predicting axial compressor stage characteristics using a single performance point comprised of mass flow, temperature and pressure rise coefficients obtained in experimental testing and a generic stage temperature characteristic. A new temperature characteristic is generated using a mapping technique where changes in stage blade angles are iterated from assumptions of free vortex flow and constant increment of flow turning angle with increased flow incidence. If additional data corresponding to the new curve are available, the characteristic is adjusted using non-linear least squares estimation, Essentially, the modified mapped curve results from a re-estimated change in the stator outlet angle which is iterated to minimize the total error between the new curve and the new aggregate of the given data. A pressure characteristic for the single data point may be predicted from the new temperature characteristic and an assumption of constant efficiency. Upon collection of additional data points, an improved pressure characteristic is obtained using an improved model for efficiency. The predicted characteristics agreed well with calibration data in pre-stall regions. For those data near stall, the assumed linear relationship between incidence and flow turning is invalid, and a new model for flow turning is required

Microencapsulation of Diclofenac Sodium by Nonsolvent Addition Technique

Purpose: To prepare, using non-solvent addition technique, diclofenac sodium-ethylcellulose microparticles with modified drug release properties.Methods: Microparticles were prepared by non-solvent addition phase separation method and characterized by micromeritics, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), dissolution test and thermal analysis.Results: The microparticles were whitish, irregular, aggregated, and in the size range of 390 - 442 μm size. Drug embedment efficiency was 89 - 91 %. Characterisation studies indicate that there was no strong chemical interaction between the drug and the polymer in the microparticles. Polymer concentration and sustained release behavior were directly proportional.Conclusion: Non-solvent addition phase separation is a suitable method for preparing diclofenac sodium-ethylcellulose multi-unit controlled release drug delivery system.Keywords: Phase separation, Diclofenac sodium, Ethylcellulose, Non-solvent addition, Characterisation

Kesesuaian Penempatan Kerja dan Kompetensi terhadap Prestasi Kerja yang Dimoderasi oleh Tingkat Pendidikan pada Badan Pengelola Pajak dan Retribusi Daerah Kota Medan

This study aims to determine the effect of suitability of work placement and compensation on work performance in the Medan City Regional Tax and Retribution Management Agency. To find out whether the level of education moderates the effect of suitability of work placement and competence on work performance in the Medan City Regional Tax and Retribution Management Agency. The population in this study was 175 people, and using slovin obtained a sample of 121 people. The analysis technique used is multiple linear regression and MRA. The results showed that the suitability of work placement had a significant effect on job performance in the Medan City Regional Tax and Retribution Management Agency. Competence does not affect work performance at the Medan City Regional Tax and Retribution Management Agency. The conclusion that can be obtained from the above results is that the moderator is proven to be significant in influencing the suitability of work placement for work performance. The conclusion that can be obtained from the above results is that the moderator is proven to be significant in influencing competence on work performance

An Email-Based Workplace Health Intervention: Failures, Lessons Learned, and Guidance for Future Research

A brief email-based workplace health intervention aimed at modifying employee well-being was evaluated. Data were collected from 346 faculty and staff members. A unique set of outcomes (workaholism, work stress, job satisfaction) and moderators (self-efficacy, mindfulness) were utilized. The interventions failed to produce significant behavior changes in the targeted outcomes. Future investigators should examine the amount of active participation to provide insight on inactive participants and the appropriate amount of time needed for effective interventions. To accomplish health goals in holistic Employee Assistance Programs, increased levels of tailoring to employee’s needs should be implemented when using non-intrusive email-based workplace interventions

Analisis Perancangan Sistem Proteksi Bangunan the Bellagio Residence Terhadap Sambaran Petir

High rise building is one of the objects that have the possibility of being struck by lightning considering geographical location of Indonesia which in equator, resulted in rainfall and intensity of lightning strikes is quite high. Hence it is important to protect high rise buildings with a reliable system such as Electric Field Lightning Protection System (E.F Lightning Protection System). This system is more active due to the addition of the charge induced lightning rod from the earth's surface. This protection system has 150,597.54 m2 wide protection area by E.F terminals. The 35mm2 conductor dealer (E.F Carrier) carry high voltage with additional dealer conductor. The distance between lighting rods is 38.73 meters. The first resistance grounding is 1.72Ω and the second resistance is 2.32Ω. The result shows thet the system already meets standards for ng buildings protection.Bangunan tinggi merupakan salah satu objek yang memiliki kemungkinan besar tersambar petir mengingat letak geografis Indonesia yang dilewati garis khatulistiwa yang mengakibatkan curah hujan dan intensitas sambaran petir cukup tinggi. Oleh karena itu penting untuk memproteksi bangunan tinggi dengan sistem yang handal seperti Electric Field Lightning Protection System (E.F Lightning Protection System). Sistem ini bersifat lebih aktif karena adanya penambahan muatan pada ujung penangkal petir yang diinduksi dari permukaan bumi. Sistem proteksi ini memiliki daerah proteksi cukup luas sebesar 150.597,54 m2 yang dihasilkan oleh E.F Terminal sehingga dapat memproteksi seluruh area gedung. Konduktor penyalur (E.F Carrier) yang digunakan berdiameter 35 mm2 dapat menerima tegangan tinggi namun harus diadakan penambahan konduktor penyalur. Jarak antara kedua penangkal 38,73 m. Tahanan pembumian 1 sebesar 1,72 Ω, tahanan pembumian 2 sebesar 2,32 Ω. Dari hasil perhitungan sistem ini sudah memenuhi standar untuk memproteksi bangunan tinggi

PHARMACEUTICAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF GLIMEPIRIDE TABLETS – COMPARISON OF BRANDS AND NEWLY FORMULATED TABLETS WITH INNOVATOR

Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the quality attribute of generic brands and newly formulated tablet of glimepiride and compare their drug release profile with innovator brand. Methods: Different brands were purchased from different markets of UAE. The validated high-performance liquid chromatography method was used to assess the quantitative analysis of glimepiride. The linearity of curve (r² = 0.9999) indicated the accuracy and precision of the analytical method. Comparative dissolution of newly formulated and generic tablets was carried out using USP dissolution apparatus II. Study was accomplished in phosphate buffer (pH = 7.8), the paddle speed was adjusted at 75 rpm. F1 and F2 factor among the brands and kinetic assessment were done to obtain the order of release. Results: Dissolution profiles of formulated tablets were almost same as that of innovator, 91.53 and 94.9, respectively, in 15 min. The statistical value between the different brands (F = 3.698) indicated that there were some differences among the few groups of tablets and p-value (0.002154) indicated that it supported H1 hypothesis. First-order and Weibull models described the drug release with r2 value of 0.9981–0.927210 and 0.9992– 0.9835, respectively. Stability of optimized formulated batch was also examined. Conclusion: It was concluded that the formulated tablets are stable and pharmaceutically as good as the innovators; however, all the selected brands could not be used interchangeably in the clinical practice. It was also concluded that the scrutiny and screening of the drug products, available in the markets, can help to build a better health-care setup

Circadian consequences of social organization in the ant species Camponotus compressus

The locomotor activity rhythm of different castes of the ant species Camponotus compressus was monitored individually under laboratory light/dark (LD) cycles, and under continuous darkness (DD). The colony of this ant species comprises two sexual castes, the queens and the males, and three worker castes, namely the major, media, and minor workers. The virgin males and virgin queens display rhythmic activity patterns, but the mated queens were arrhythmic while laying eggs, with the rhythmicity resuming soon after egg-laying. Under the LD regime, major workers showed nocturnal patterns, while about 75% of the media workers displayed nocturnal patterns and about 25% showed diurnal patterns. Under the DD regime, most major workers exhibited circadian rhythm of activity with a single steady state, whereas media workers displayed two types of activity patterns, with activity patterns changing after 6-9 days in DD (turn-arounds). The pre-turn-around τ of the ants that showed nocturnal activity patterns during LD entrainment was <24 h after release into DD, which then became >24 h, after 6-9 days. On the other hand, the pre-turn-around τ of those ants that exhibited diurnal patterns during LD entrainment was first >24 h after release into DD, and then became <24 h, after 6-9 days. The activity of the minor workers neither entrained to LD cycles nor showed any sign of free-run in DD. It appears that the circadian clocks of the ant species C. compressus are flexible, and may perhaps depend upon the tasks assigned to them in the colony