No description available.

The removal of lead, copper and cadmium ions from aqueous streams using lecithin enhanced micro filtration with 0.2μm pore size tubular ceramic membranes has been investigated. Measurements of the surface tension at varying lecithin concentrations were carried out to determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of lecithin and the effects of lead ions, mixtures of lead and copper ions, and mixtures of lead, copper and cadmium ions in solutions on the CMC of lecithin. The zeta potential and the effects of the single and multiple metal ions on the zeta potential of lecithin were also investigated. The influence of lecithin concentrations, cross flow velocity and transmembrane pressure on the rejections and steady state permeate flux behaviours were examined. The CMC of lecithin was found to be 9 grl. An increase in metal ion concentration caused a decrease in the CMC and an increase in the zeta potential of lecithin solutions, suggesting the binding of the metal ions onto the lecithin. An increase in lecithin concentration was found to improve metal ions removal. Lecithin showed preference for the metal ions in the order Pb2+ > Cd 2+ > Cu 2+. Metal ion removal was influenced more by lecithin concentration and less by transmembrane pressure and cross flow velocity. The steady state permeate flux and rejection behaviours have been explained by microscopic phenomena and a mathematical model has been developed to predict the steady state permeate flux. The lecithin concentration that remains in the permeate was less than 9% of the feed solution. The study has shown that lecithin enhanced micro filtration is a technically suitable technique for removal of lead, copper and cadmium ions in aqueous solution.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of when aminoglycoside serum concentrations are obtained and assess whether the timing and techniques used in obtaining aminoglycoside serum concentrations are appropriate. Additionally, pharmacists’ interpretation of aminoglycoside serum concentrations and the appropriateness of intervention in response to these results were assessed. Methods: This descriptive retrospective study to evaluate the appropriateness of aminoglycoside monitoring at an academic medical center has been approved by the Institutional Review Board. Patients over the age of 46 weeks gestational age admitted to an academic medical center between February 1, 2010 to February 1, 2011 who were prescribed intravenous aminoglycoside therapy were included in this study. Patients with therapy duration of less than 72 hours without at least one aminoglycoside level were excluded. The time of aminoglycoside concentrations in relation to time of aminoglycoside administration along with calculated pharmacokinetic parameters and therapy recommendations documented in clinical notes were also recorded. Appropriateness of aminoglycoside monitoring and documentation were determined by use of expert opinion and pharmacokinetic guidelines. Results: Timing of aminoglycoside serum concentrations and subsequent clinical assessments were evaluated in 103 subjects. The median (range) age was 28 (0.2 – 88) years. The initial aminoglycoside prescribed in 12%, 40%, and 48% of subjects was amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin, respectively. A total of 314 aminoglycoside concentrations were obtained: 41 amikacin, 129 gentamicin, and 144 tobramycin. At least one clinical pharmacokinetic assessment of aminoglycoside concentration(s) was written for 91 subjects (88%). The aminoglycoside indication, actual time of aminoglycoside dose administration, estimated renal function, and both goal peak/trough aminoglycoside concentrations were documented in at least one aminoglycoside clinical note for each of these 91 subjects at a rate of 95%, 80%, 89%, and 51%, respectively. Calculated peak, trough, estimated volume of distribution, and estimated half-life or ke were documented in 53 subjects. Conclusions: Aminoglycoside serum concentration monitoring can be used to maximize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing toxicity. However, errors in obtaining and evaluating serum drug levels can arise that may affect patient outcomes. For monitoring to be effective, the timing of serum concentration orders, the process of obtaining serum concentration samples, and the interpretation of data including pharmacokinetic calculations should be accurate.

The responses of freshwater (Daphnia magna. Pimephales promelas) and saltwater (Mysidopsis bahia. Cyprinodon variegatus) toxicity test species to elevated calcium concentrations and changing salinity conditions were investigated. The use of salinity as a criterion for selection between saltwater and freshwater test species was investigated by conducting both calcium and salinity toxicity tests. Salinity was determined to be an inappropriate criterion under conditions encountered in this study.

La stratégie de concentration menée par les banques pour faire face à leur environnement et améliorer leur rentabilité est-elle la réponse adaptée? Cette thèse s'inscrit dans ce questionnement et rallonge les travaux sur l'évaluation de cette stratégie. Après la présentation des principaux faits stylisés, une revue des déterminants théoriques montre que, dans le cas spécifique des banques européennes, les opérations de concentration sont potentiellement justifiées d'une part par les mutations de l'environnement politico-juridique ainsi que les NTIC et d'autre part, par la recherche d'efficience, la croissance des parts de marché et de nouveaux marchés. La deuxième partie de la thèse se concentre sur la caractérisation actualisée des opérations et des motivations de cette stratégie. Tout en considérant la période de fléchissement observée entre 2001 et 2002, cette caractérisation intègre conjointement la dimension géographique des marchés et l'activité de base des acteurs. Elle établit que la concentration bancaire européenne est dominée par les rapprochements entre acteurs bancaires et, elle est internationale et intra-européenne malgré le développement des opérations avec des cibles fmancières non bancaires et à destination des Etats-Unis, de l'Asie et du Japon. La troisième partie, enfin, interroge les implications de la concentration sur les perfonnances économico-financières des banques européennes. L'analyse de l'évolution de leurs résultats (produit net bancaire, Coefficient d'exploitation, Rentabilité des actifs -ROA-), leurs parts de marché, leur solvabilité et de la création de valeur (ROE) aboutit à un constat mitigé sur la rentabilité tant au niveau consolidé que des métiers et, à l'existence d'une relation positive pour l'efficience, les parts de marché, la solvabilité et la création de valeur (à moyen tenne). / Is the merging strategy carried out by banks an appropriate response to cope with their environment as weIl as to improve their returr This thesis focuses on this question as weIl as extends the work on the assessment ofthis strategy. After the presentation of the principal stylized facts, a review of theoretical determinants shows that, in the specifie case of Europea banks, the merging operations are potentially justified on the one hand, by the mutations of the politico-juridical environment as weJ as by the NTIC and on the other hand, by the quest of efficiency, and the growth of market shares and new markets. The second part focuses on the updated characterization of operations and motivations of this strategy. Taking into account the slacl period observed between 2001 and 2002, this characterization integrates jointly the geographical dimension of markets and thl stakeholders' core activity. This part establishes that the merging of European banks is dominated by the rapprochements among ban1 stakeholders, and that merging is international and intra-European despite the development of operations with non banking financiaJ targets and 10wards the USA, Asia and Japan. The third and last part of the thesis questions the merging implications for the economico-financial performances of European banks. The analysis of the evolution oftheir results (Net Banking Product, Exploiting Coefficient, Asset Retums -ROA-), their market shares, their solvency and that of value creation (ROE) leads 10 a mitigated assessment of the return at the consolidated and profession levels but also points to the existence of a positive relation for efficiency, market shares, solvency and value creation (in the medium-term).

No description available.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

In the past riveting was commonly used for connecting steel structures, such as bridges. These fasteners usually develop a low and unreliable level of pretension such that the joints are assumed to behave like bearing type connections. Under cyclic loading, and depending on the stress concentration around the fastener holes, fatigue failure can occur at nominal stresses significantly lower than in members with no stress concentration. The current design standards account for this by calculating the stress range on the net section and using fatigue category B and D to assess the fatigue life for bolted and riveted details respectively. The net area used for the calculation of the stress range is based on the procedure proposed by Cochrane (the s2/4g rule), which is adequate shear type failure. Tests have shown, however, that the Cochrane approach does not apply for fatigue failure since rupture does not take place in a ductile shear mode. An investigation into the effect of connection size and hole pattern on the fatigue resistance of built-up I section to gusset plate connections was carried out. A design equation that considers the connection size and hole layout on the stress concentration factor is proposed. An appropriate fatigue category for these members is also recommended. / Structural Engineering

No description available.

Time of concentration parameter is defined very loosely in literature and it is calculated rather subjectively in practice (Akan 1986). The situation becomes adverse as the terrain slope approaches zero; because the slope generally appears in the denominator of any formula for time of concentration, this time goes to infinity as the slope goes to zero. The variables affecting this time parameter on flat terrains have been studied through plot scale field experiments. It has been found that the antecedent moisture and rainfall rate control this parameter. Some of the existing time of concentration methods have been compared, and it is found that all the empirical models compared under predict this time parameter. This under prediction can be attributed first to the differing concepts of time of concentration previous researchers have modeled, secondly to the absence of any accounting for the initial moisture content in their respective equations and thirdly to the watersheds where these models have been calibrated. At lower time of concentrations, Izzard-based model predictions show some results close to the observed values. A methodology to determine the plot scale surface undulations has been developed to estimate the depression storage. Regression equations have been derived based upon the experiments to determine the overland flow times on a flat plot of 30 feet length with uniform rainfall intensity. The application of these equations on other lengths cannot be ascertained. Equations for the hydrograph slope on flat terrains have been determined for bare clay and grass plots.