Critical Assessment of the Integrity of Thin Organic Films by Shearography

The temperature versus thermal deformation (strain) with respect to time, of different coating films was studied by a non-destructive technique (NDT) known as shearography. The behavior of organic coatings, i.e., epoxy, a white enamel, or a yellow acrylic lacquer on carbon steels, was investigated at a temperature range simulating the severe weather temperatures in Kuwait especially 20–60 °C differences between the daylight and the night time temperatures. The investigation focused on determining the in-plane displacement of the coatings, which amounts to the thermal deformation that results from the applied temperature range. Furthermore, the investigation also focused on determining the thermal expansion coefficients of coatings and the slope of the plot of the thermal deformation versus the applied temperature range. A critical (steady state) value of the thermal expansion coefficients of coatings was used to determine the integrity of the coatings with respect to time. This value was determined from the decreasing, time-dependent value of the thermal expansion coefficients of coatings. In fact, determination of critical (steady state) value of the thermal expansion coefficients of coatings could be accomplished independent of parameters such as UV exposure, humidity, presence of chemical species, and other parameters normally considered in conventional methods of the assessing of the integrity of coatings. By using the technique of shearography, one needs only to determine the critical (steady state) value of the thermal expansion coefficients of coatings, regardless of the history of the coating, in order to assess the integrity of coatings. These results indicate that the technique is a very useful NDT method for determining the critical value of the thermal expansion coefficients of different coatings and can be used as a 2D-microscope for monitoring the deformation of the coatings in real-time at a submicroscopic scale.     

Spatial Precipitation Assessment with Elevation by Using Point Cumulative Semivariogram Technique

Depiction of precipitation change by elevation in an areaindicates the possibilities of orographic rainfall occurrencesin the mountainous regions. In general, precipitation increaseswith elevation but sometimes inverse cases occur locally due toorographic and meteorological features of the area. Inpractice, prior to any quantitative modeling, qualitativeassessments and interpretations help to have sound foundationsin search for a suitable model. In this article, standardizedpoint cumulative semivariogram (SPCSV) methodology is employedfor identification of the precipitation-elevationrelationship. According to relative positions of theprecipitation and elevation SPCSVs four different precipitationcategories are suggested. The application of the methodologyproposed is presented for the precipitation records from YuccaMountain, Nevada, U.S.A.     

Study of oil uptake and some quality attributes of potato chips affected by hydrocolloids

The use of coating agents is one effective way to reduce oil absorption in fried products. Reducing the fat content of fried foods by application of coatings is an alternative solution to comply with both health concerns and consumer preferences. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of hydrocolloids as coating agent on the quantity of oil uptake and on sensory attributes of potato chips. The effect of the coating composition showed that the minimum fat content was related to 1% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 0.5% xanthan, 0.3% guar and 1% xanthan with 21.2, 21.7, 22.4 and 24.8%, respectively, and the highest of fat content was related to blank sample (non-coated), 2% tragacanth, 0.5% guar gum with 49.4, 41.7 and 33.2% of oil content, respectively (p <0.05). The most effective coating agent reduced the oil uptake by 57.03, 55.94, 54.67 and 49.71%, respectively (p <0.05). Sensory evaluation showed that the best color was related to 1% CMC, 0.3% guar and 2% tragacanth, and with respect to flavor evaluation the best flavor was observed in tragacanth 2%, CMC 0.5% and CMC 0.1%, and the best texture referred to tragacanth 2%, CMC 0.5% and CMC 1%. In sensory evaluation, all coated chips got high scores compared with blank (non-coated chips) samples (p <0.05).     

The supportive care needs of newly diagnosed cancer patients attending a regional cancer center

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the physical and emotional health status, self-perceived problems, and needs of newly diagnosed cancer patients to determine and plan supportive care strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of newly diagnosed cancer patients attending a regional cancer center during a 6-month period was performed. Patients with breast, colorectal, head and neck, lung, and prostate carcinoma as well as nonmelanoma of the skin were selected randomly. Patients were interviewed prior to their first appointment at the clinic. Physical health status was assessed using the Symptom Distress Scale, psychologic health status was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), day-to-day functioning with the Rapid Disability Scale, and social support with the modified Sarason's Social Support Scale. Perceived needs were assessed in a number of ways, including identification of patients' specific social concerns and informational needs, and by asking them to list their current problems or concerns. RESULTS: Of 156 eligible patients, 134 completed the interview. One hundred and twenty-nine patients (96%) reported current symptoms that included fatigue (66%), worried outlook (61%), difficulty sleeping (48%), and pain (42%). Forty-four patients (33%) were identified as psychologically distressed with a GHQ score of > or = 6. One hundred and fourteen patients (85%) had informational needs, 89 (66%) indicated > or = 1 social concerns, and 55 (41%) reported a need for assistance with day-to-day living. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with newly diagnosed cancer commonly report symptoms related to fatigue, pain, and psychologic distress. Other frequently reported issues relate to the need for information and social concerns regarding the patients' ability to take care of their home and maintain family and other relationships. Awareness of these issues is important for planning supportive care interventions for newly diagnosed cancer patients.     

Etude de l'influence du mode d'anodisation sur la cinétique de croissance des films d'alumine en milieu acide sulfurique

The kinetics of growth of Al₂O₃ oxide films made by anode oxidation of ALuminium 1050A with two anodization techniques has been investigatedan compared. The first technique is the classical method based on continuous tension during the complete electrlysis duration, and the second one is the modern method ofpulsed tensions, whcih consists of periodically imposing to the material two anodc tensions E₁ and E₂ (E₁ > E₂) during time T₁ and T₂ until the end on anodization. We have shown that the second technique allows the fabrication of films more rapidly for the same electrolysis duraton. Energy and electrolysis time are saved, making it attractive from an economical viewpoint. This advantage arises from the positive effect of excess heat disiption gathered during the imposition of tension, E₁, when E₂ is imposed thereafter (recovery effect). The logging of in situ transient responses in the case of pulsed anodization is a significant asset to explain the growth film kinetics obtained with this method.     

Effect of Certain Stabilizers on Photobleacing of Riboflavin Solutions

The influence of certain stabilizers on the aerobic photobleaching of buffered riboflavin phosphate solutions exuosed to fluorescent light was investigated. Disodium ethylenediamine (EDTA) demonstrated the greatest stabilizing effect followed by thiourea, methyl paraben, DL-methionine and sodium thiosul fate. The photostabilizing effect of these agents increased as their concentrations increased. Other stabilizers enhanced the photostability of riboflavin solutions with lesser and varying degrees. The pH and buffer species of the solutions appared to infulence the rate of photodegradation of riboflavin solutions in the presence of absence of EDTA.     

Low end‐to‐end delay fuzzy networking protocol for mobile wireless sensing

Because of the practical limitations of the energy and processing capabilities, the deployment of many Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) is facing two main challenges of increasing network lifetime and reducing End to End Delay (EED) which become critical when the nodes are mobile and use non‐rechargeable energy sources. One way to help to extend network lifetime is using fuzzy logic in a form of artificial intelligence. To this end we propose a new routing protocol for using mobile WSNs, which holds the nodes in an equal level of energy and decreases energy dissipation of the network. An optimum path is selected based on the cost of each node to increase network lifetime. In order to lessen EED, we also attempt to design a novel zoning‐scheme for the network area. In this scheme, zonation is dynamic and works based on the Data Link (DL) position. The simulation result shows a significant improvement in lifetime and EED by proposed protocol compared with existing protocols. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.