Implementing total quality management at the U.S. Department of Defense

This paper examines Total Quality Management (TQM) as defined by Dr. W. Edwards Deming including Deming's fourteen points and explains how the United States' Department of Defense (DOD) defines TQM and why TQM is necessary. It also covers how the DOD is planning on implementing TQM and the policy that has been established as guidance in the implementation process.     

Microwave-Assisted Graphite-Support Synthesis of Imidazolones

5(4H)-Oxazolones react with ammonium acetate under microwave irradiation and using graphite as support in an eco-friendly process. The reaction was carried out under solvent-free conditions and the imidazolones were obtained quantitatively. Moreover the reaction time was reduced too.     

Thermal analysis of the architecture of old and new houses at Ghadames

The study suggests improvements in the design of new houses to conserve energy and enhance indoor thermal comfort. Summer temperature records show that a new house has an average indoor temperature of 35°C with the ambient average 31°C. The traditional house in the old city recorded 28°C for the same period. Winter temperatures in both types of houses were similar (12°C) when not occupied. Architectural features of the two houses were compared to identify those responsible for difference in the thermal performance. Larger exposed surface and window areas, higher overall heat transfer coefficient and weaker thermal coupling with the ground for the new houses seems to contribute to their inferior thermal performance.     

Effect of short-term storage on phenolic content,o-diphenolase and peroxidase activities of cut yam tubers (Dioscorea sp)

The effect of short-term storage on the protein, phosphorus and phenolic content as well as peroxidase and o-diphenolase activities of cut, harvested Jamaican yam (Dioscorea sp) tubers (D rotundata. D alata and D cayenensis) was studied. There was an initial increase in the total phenolic content up to the third week of storage followed by a gradual decrease to the sixth week. Phenolic content was found to be highest in D cayenensis followed by D rotundata and D alata. The activities of peroxidase (EC 1. 11. 1. 7) and o-diphenolase (EC 1. 10.3.1) increased steadily up to the third week of storage and thereafter decreased to the fifth week. The intensity and rapidity of browning in tubers when cut, correlated very closely with the tuber o-diphenolase and phenolic content levels while the onset of rotting correlated with the peroxidase activity levels in the species studied.     

Preparation and properties of silicone‐containing poly(methyl methacrylate) gels

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) gels with varying amounts of silicone and solvent and constant amounts of crosslinker were prepared by solution free radical crosslinking copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) comonomer systems. They were then studied in benzene at a total monomer concentration of 3.5 mol L^?1 and 70 °C. The conversion of monomer, volume swelling ratio, weight fraction and gel point were measured as a function of the reaction time, silicone concentration and benzene content up to the onset of macrogelation. Structural characteristics of the gels were examined by using equilibrium swelling in benzene, gel fraction and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The morphology of the copolymers was also investigated by SEM. Based on the obtained results, it was concluded that the FTIR data did not have the capacity to show the presence of the VTES or TEOS moiety in these kinds of copolymers. On the other hand, the variation of weight fraction of gel, W_g, and its equilibrium volume swelling ratio in benzene, q_v, exhibited the same behaviour as that of MMA/EGDM copolymers. Also, the dilution of the monomer mixture resulted in an increase in the gel point and swelling degree and a decrease in the percent of conversion and gel fraction. Finally, TEOS is not an ideal silicone compound for reaction in the MMA/EGDM copolymerization system, whereas VTES is a suitable silicone comonomer for this system and it has been proved useful. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Flow stress of high density polyethylene and nylon 66 at high rates of strain

Measurement of the flow stress of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and nylon 66 at strain rates of 10³ s^?1 using a split Hopkinson pressure bar technique is discussed. The flow stress at a strain of 10% has been determined for both polymers at 20°C. The intrinsic errors involved in this technique are briefly reviewed. The results indicate that the flow stress of HDPE and nylon 66 were 50MPa and 150MPa, respectively, at strain rates of about 10³s^?1.     

Influence of the silicon surface treatment by plasma etching and scratching on the nucleation of diamond grown in HFCVD - a comparative study

A comparative study for the nucleation of diamond was carried out using surface treatment like (i) surface scratching with 1 μm diamond paste and (ii) surface etching using chlorine plasma at different RF powers (50, 100 and 150 W). Atomic force microscopic study shows variation in roughness from 31 nm to 110 nm. Scratching results in random scratches, whereas plasma etches a surface uniformly. Scanning electron microscopic observations show well faceted crystallites with a predominance of angular shaped grains corresponding to 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 crystallite surfaces for the scratched as well as plasma etched substrate. Surface etching at 150 W plasma power results in a better growth in comparison with 50 and 100 W plasma powers. Chlorine-radical is found responsible for the changes in the growth morphology. Raman spectroscopy shows a sharp peak at 1,332 cm⁻¹ and a peak at ∼1,580 cm⁻¹ for both samples.     

Effect of carbon surface oxidation on platinum supported carbon particles on the performance of gas diffusion electrodes for the oxygen reduction reaction

The effect of carbon surface oxidation on platinum supported carbon particles (Pt/C) with nitric acid was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization experiments and chronoamperometry. Cyclic voltammograms, polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectra showed that the treated catalyst had much larger active surface area and higher ionic conductivity than the untreated catalyst, and provided enhanced performance for oxygen reduction. The formation of acidic groups was examined by IR spectra. The Pt/C surface oxidation had a large effect on the performance of a gas diffusion electrode for oxygen reduction reaction.     

Synthesis and thermomechanical characterization of polyurethane elastomers extended with α,ω‐alkane diols

A series of polyurethane (PU) elastomers was prepared by the reaction of poly(?‐caprolactone) and 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate, which was extended with a series of chain extenders (CEs) having 2–10 methylene units in their structure. The completion of the reaction was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The chemical structures of the synthesized PU samples were characterized with Fourier transform infrared, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, and the thermal properties were determined by thermogravimetric analysis, DSC, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis techniques. The mechanical properties were also studied and are discussed. The thermogravimetric analysis and DSC analysis showed that CE length had a considerable effect on the thermal properties of the prepared samples. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and damping peaks were also affected by the number of methylene units in the CE length. The elastomer extended with 1,2‐ethane diol exhibited optimum thermal properties, whereas the elastomer based on 1,10‐decane diol displayed the worst thermal properties. Tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with increasing CE length, whereas hardness showed the opposite trend. The glass‐transition temperature moved toward lower temperatures with increasing CE length. The decrease in the glass‐transition temperature and tensile properties were interpreted in terms of decreasing hard segments and increasing chain flexibility. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Nodular and granulomatous form of periarteritis nodosa caused by the hepatitis B virus

Human herpesvirus type 6 DNA derived from human breath was discovered to contaminate PCR reactions during routine reaction preparation. Parallel PCR experiments were conducted in which expiratory secretions were blocked by a surgical mask, while others were performed without any attempt to circumvent respiratory contamination. The experimenter was previously determined to harbor HHV-6 DNA in the saliva. All reactions in which expiration was obstructed were negative for HHV-6 DNA via PCR. Reactions in which there was no attempt to obstruct respiratory secretions were positive for HHV-6 DNA. These data suggest that PCR assays investigating the presence of HHV-6 may be highly susceptible to contamination from the experimenter leading to false positive results.