This Side Of The Grave: Navigating The Quaker Plainness Testimony In London And Philadelphia In The Eighteenth Century

For observant members of the Society of Friends in greater London and Philadelphia during the eighteenth century, navigating the Quaker plainness testimony involved material culture choices that might be viewed by non-Quakers as concealing motives of frugality or blurring class lines or as violating standards of decency and propriety. This was particularly true of coffins, which were carried through the streets from home to burial ground followed by family and friends. On this public stage, Quaker coffin choices satisfied the requirements for plainness while at the same time they demonstrated family values and fulfilled societal expectations

Sliding wear of self-mated Al2O3-SiC whisker reinforced composites at 23-1200 C

Microstructural changes occurring during sliding wear of self-mated Al2O3-SiC whisker reinforced composites were studied using optical, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Pin-on-disk specimens were slid in air at 2.7 m/sec sliding velocity under a 26.5 N load for 1 hr. Wear tests were conducted at 23, 600, 800, and 1200 C. Mild wear with a wear factor of 2.4 times 10(exp -7) to 1.5 times 10(exp -6) cu mm/Nm was experienced at all test temperatures. The composite shows evidence of wear by fatigue mechanisms at 800 C and below. Tribochemical reaction (SiC oxidation and reaction of SiO2 and Al2O3) leads to intergranular failure at 1200 C. Distinct microstructural differences existing at each test temperature are reported

Experimentally determined wear behavior of an Al2O3-SiC composite from 25 to 1200 C

The sliding wear behavior of a self-mated alumina-silicon carbide whisker toughened composite was studied using optical, scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron (TEM) microscopy. Because of its excellent strength and toughness properties this composite material is under consideration for use in heat engine applications for sliding contacts which operate at elevated temperatures. The composite's wear behavior and especially its wear mechanisms are not well understood. Pin-on-disk specimens were slid in air at 2.7 m/s sliding velocity, under a 26.5-N load, at temperatures 25 to 1200 C. Pin wear increased with increasing temperature. Based upon the microscopic analyses, the wear mechanism seems to be loosening of the reinforcing whiskers due to frictional and bulk heating. This leads to whisker pullout and increased wear

Do Macroeconomic Indicators Determine Income Inequality In Selected African Countries?

Open Access via the Wiley Jisc AgreementPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Impacts of On-board Devices and Training on Light Duty Vehicle Driving Behavior

AbstractThe main objective of this investigation was to assess the impacts of an eco-driving education session on the energy and environmental performance of a group of drivers as well as changes on their driving patterns. Driving behavior was assessed with an on-board monitoring device, the CarChip Pro. This on-board data logger allowed the characterization of driving patterns, collecting data regarding driving parameters - such as speed and acceleration - and engine parameters. Potential savings in fuel consumption and reduction of CO2 and NOx emissions were assessed based on the VSP “Vehicle Specific Power” methodology.A sample of 20 drivers was monitored in two distinct periods. Two groups were defined. A group of 9 drivers received at the end of the first monitoring period, an eco-driving educational session, where information regarding which conducts should be adopted in order to assume a more ecological driving behavior was shared as well as insight concerning their driving performance was given. The remaining drivers received no information. A total of 1364 days and 1928hours of driving were monitored, corresponding to 8137 trips and 100212km travelled. The results show that, after the eco-driving education session, drivers decreased the time spent in excessive speed and excessive engine speed by 24% and 38% respectively. A reduction in the number of events such as extreme accelerations and decelerations was also observed. The results indicate an average 4.8% fuel consumption decrease, corresponding to savings of 0.09MJ/km and 6.56g/km of CO2 emissions in the Tank-To-Wheel stage. Concerning NOx emissions a decrease of 8% was observed for this experimental group

Eudragit E100 and Polysaccharide Polymer Blends as Matrices for Modified-Release Drug Delivery II: Swelling and Release Studies

Purpose: To compare the effects of two states of polymer/polymer blending (dry and aqueous/lyophilized) of locust bean gum with Eudragit® E100 and sodium carboxymethylcellulose on swelling and drug (levodopa) release from their tablet matrices.Methods: Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC), Eudragit® (E100) and locust bean (LB) were blended in their dry (as purchased) state or modified by aqueous blending and subsequent lyophilization prior to use as tablet matrices. The tablets were evaluated for swelling and in vitro drug release. Furthermore, in vivo absorption was predicted from the in vitro release data by convolution method.Results: E100 matrices exhibited little or no swelling while the matrices of SCMC and LB and their blends exhibited a degree of swelling > 180 %. Aqueous blending and lyophilization modulated the rate of release from matrices formulated with LB, SCMC and their polymer/polymer blends. Drug release profiles of the lyophilized polymer/polymer blends matrices were dissimilar to those of the dry polymer/polymer blends. Formulations F1aq, F2aq and F3aq exhibited fairly uniform absorption in the first 8 h, indicating the possibility of producing a steady delivery of drug.Conclusion: Polymer blending of LB, SCMC and E100, achieved by aqueous blending and lyophilization, enhances the performance of the matrices thereby exhibiting controlled levodopa release with no burst effect and the tablets retained their three-dimensional network.Keywords: Controlled release, Drug delivery, Eudragit, Locust bean, Levodopa, Matrix, Polymer blend, Sodium carboxymethylcellulos

Eudragit E100 and Polysaccharide Polymer Blends as Matrices for Modified-Release Drug Delivery I: Physicomechanical Properties

Purpose: To compare the effects of two states of polymer/polymer blending (dry and aqueous/lyophilized) on the physicomechanical properties of tablets, containing blends of locust bean gum (LB) with Eudragit® E100 (E100) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) as matrices.Methods: LB, SCMC and E100 were blended in their dry (as purchased) state or modified by aqueous blending and subsequent lyophilization, prior to use as matrices in tablets. The polymer blends were characterized by infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), flow and compressibility tests, as well as physicomechanical analysis of their tablets.Results: No significant variations were noticeable in the FTIR peaks of the individual polymers in the dry and the aqueous/lyophilized states. Aqueous/lyophilized blending of the polymers resulted in better flow properties. The aqueous/lyophilized matrices were denser with improved mechanical strength and the tablets were harder than those produced from dry blended polymers.Conclusion: Dry blending of LB with E100 and SCMC greatly improved the physicomechanical properties of the tablets. This was further enhanced by aqueous/lyophilized blending.Keywords: Drug delivery, Polymer blend, Eudragit, Locust bean gum, Levodopa, Sodium carboxymethylcellulose, Matrix, Physicomechanical propertie

Improved grade outcomes with an e-mailed “grade nudge”

Information provided at the moment a person makes a decision can influence behavior in predictable ways. The United Kingdom\u27s Behavioural Insights Team have used this idea to help improve the insulation of lofts, collect taxes, and even reduce litter. The authors of this article developed software that appends a personalized message to each assignment in the class regarding the student\u27s current grade. This “grade nudge” explains precisely how the assignment will impact the student\u27s final grade given their current standing in the class. Through a randomized trial, the authors show that the nudge improves student homework performance by about four percentage points

Microsatellite Markers For Studies With The Carnivorous Plant Philcoxia Minensis (plantaginaceae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the critically endangered carnivorous species Philcoxia minensis (Plantaginaceae) for further population genetic studies aiming at its conservation. Methods and Results: We identified 29 clones containing 40 microsatellites from a genomic enriched library. A total of 27 primer pairs were developed and evaluated in 30 individuals of a natural P. minensis population. Seventeen markers successfully presented amplification products within the expected size range, of which 12 were polymorphic. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.03 to 0.65 and from 0.00 to 0.77, respectively. Positive transferability with the related species P. bahiensis was observed for the same 17 markers. Conclusions: The 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers are suitable for studies in genetic diversity and structure, mating system, and gene flow in P. minensis and also may be useful for similar issues regarding the related species P. bahiensis.38Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Post-Graduate program in Plant Biology, Instituto de Biologia, UNICAMPCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [2012/12927-9

Comercialización de productos ganaderos en el partido de Saavedra (Buenos Aires)

p.63-73El objetivo del trabajo fue caracterizar en el partido de Saavedra (Buenos Aires) la comercialización ganadera, modalidades de compra y venta de vacunos, destinos, plazos de pago, compra de insumos y asociaciones agropecuarias. Se utilizó información de una encuesta del ciclo 1998 -1999 a una muestra representativa de productores en 6 áreas edáficas homogéneas (AEH). Las ventas fueron a través de consignatarios (63,6 por ciento), directas (25,1 por ciento) y cooperativas (11,3 por ciento). Los destinos de consignatarios fueron remates locales (10 por ciento), Liniers (35 por ciento) u otros (55 por ciento); los de directas : frigoríficos (44 por ciento) o particulares (56 por ciento). En todas las AEH predominaron los consignatarios mientras que en los estratos menores de algunas AEH se destacaron las cooperativas y en los mayores los consignatarios. Predominaron los plazos de pago mayores de 15 días y sólo el 15 por ciento de los productores formó asociaciones. Se concluye que los consignatarios predominan porque son conocidos regionalmente y los remates locales fueron poco elegidos debido a ventajas de las otras modalidades. La escasez de asociaciones se explicaría por desconocimiento y/o tradicionalismo