An empirical investigation of the Portuguese crystal industry focused on the current strategies of the 12 firms in the industry that produce 98 percent of the industry's output. The chief executive officers in each firm completed the survey instrument. The research discovered that the two groups of firms with positive returns on equity pursued a cost leadership strategy based on efficiency of production and cost leadership strategy based on production innovation.

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Abstract: The worldwide consumption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products for healthcare purposes has resulted in the occurrence of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in freshwater and wastewater resources. These pollutants are not entirely removed by conventional water and wastewater treatment plants, leading to potential human and animal health problems. Membranes are a promising technology capable of solving this problem. This study evaluated the ability of high-pressure driven membranes such as nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) to remove OMPs. A total of 13 compounds were selected so that a broad range of molecular weights and octanol-water partition coefficients (log Kow) could be studied. Three commercial thin-film-composite polyamide membranes (NF1, NF6, and RO4) were tested. Filtration experiments were conducted using a cross-flow membrane system at pH 6 8 and 10. The membranes were characterized by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy that allowed a more profound understanding of the membrane surface structures. Experimental results showed that the permeate flux of NF6 is dependent on the pH of the feed solution. An increase in the feed pH from 6 to 10 resulted in an increase on the permeate flux from 14.5 to 24 L m-2 h-1 bar-1, which caused a drop in the rejection of some OMPs by NF6. Nevertheless, for most OMPs, as pH increased to 10, rejection increased for NF1 and RO4 due to electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged membrane surface and the ionized OMPs. It was observed that ionic hydrophobic compounds could be highly rejected (> 95%) by NF1 and RO4. The study indicated that the rejection of non-ionic hydrophilic and hydrophobic OMPs were rejected effectively by RO4 (> 90%), and the rejection was mostly dominated by size exclusion and hydrophobic interactions between the membrane and the OMPs. Furthermore, the study revealed that the properties of the compounds, the intrinsic properties of the membrane, and the operating conditions have a significant influence on the rejection of OMPs.

Reclaimed water (treated water discharged from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)) is increasingly used in drier regions for irrigation purposes. This effectively increases the water supply and reduces the amount of WWTP discharge into surface waters but it creates the potential for contaminants in the reclaimed water, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), to accumulate in exposed crops. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) considers PPCPs contaminants of emerging concern due to their near universal presence in the environment and their potential for endocrine disruption. Biochar is gaining attention as a soil amendment and could potentially be used to sequester contaminants in the soil thereby reducing the contaminant uptake in crops. The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of wood biochar on the corn uptake of PPCPs originating from reclaimed water. Biochars derived from regional trees were chosen because they are rapidly expanding and represent a source of forest fire fuel (pinyon and juniper trees) or because they are frequently attacked by insects (lodgepole pine). The impact of biochar on contaminant uptake was tested by growing corn in non-amended soil and soil amended with biochar while being watered with reclaimed water supplemented with PPCPs (1 mg/L). Sand was also used for comparison since it is a less sorptive growth media. After a 28- day growing period, the corn leaves were dried, extracted, and analyzed for PPCPs.

It would seem appropriate that studies be conducted on the development of an oral inhalation dosage form antinauseant. The present project will consist of developing and testing a series of aerosol formulations to determine their feasibility in antinauseant therapy. In vitro pressure, valve release, spray pattern, particle size, and aging studies will be performed. The present work will also include an in vivo evaluation of promising formulations.

An in vitro method was tested whereby the processes of dissolution and distribution of active ingredient into a lipoid solvent were combined in one model and evaluated. The objectives of this research project were: (1) to evaluate the efficacy of the in vitro model known as the Desaga Resomat, in the testing of gastrointestinal absorption; (2) to apply the procedure and instrument to a group of therapeutically important products in determining their absorption characteristics; (3) to graphically illustrate the absorption profile of a specific drug as per cent absorbed vs. time, simulating in vivo absorption; (4) to compare the profile data with experimentally determined dissolution studies; (5) to relate, biopharmaceutically the application of the profile data to absorption characteristics. A literature survey was performed including the history of dissolution rate methodology and its influence on the bioavailability of medication from the dosage form. A discussion of tile experimental procedure was presented including the graphical illustration of tile resorption profiles for the three commonly known drugs used in the verification of the apparatus. The method was applied to a group of therapeutically important products, specifically, thiazide diuretics as well as non-thiazide diuretics such as Spironolactone, Acetazolamide, Ethacrynic Acid, Chlorthalidone, and Furosemide. Dissolution properties for each drug were determined using the Desaga Resomat as well as the '"Beaker Method" of Levy and Hayes. The method used in this work involved the use of a glass model apparatus which showed the basic physical and chemical principles of the absorption process, namely, the solubility of a drug in the aqueous phase and its distribution into a lipoid phase. The dosage form was placed into an aqueous buffered solution. The pH of the buffered solution was adjusted so as to correspond to the pH of the gastro-enteral system. As a result of pressure changes corresponding to peristalsis the dissolved drug passed through a sinter and was then subjected to distribution, with a suitable lipoid solvent. The absorption profiles were determined by measuring, spectrophotometrically, the concentration of the drug in the lipoid phase. Graphical displays were constructed representing the solubility and distribution of the drug at specific pH-time-intervals.

Local burn therapy usually includes the application of medicated ointments and dressings in order to minimize and eradicate infection. As this approach to local therapy may present problems regarding application and removal techniques, it was the purpose of this study to formulate a topical dosage form that may be applied to denuded areas of the skin without inunction. Using the concept of topical films, a dosage form was formulated that is highly water soluble, flexible , and adherent to both denuded and intact areas of the skin.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第19987号 / 工博第4231号 / 新制||工||1654(附属図書館) / 33083 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市環境工学専攻 / (主査)教授 伊藤 禎彦, 教授 田中 宏明, 准教授 西村 文武 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

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