Enhancing Droplet Quality of Edible Ink in Single and Multi-Drop Methods by Optimization the Waveform Design of DoD Inkjet Printer

The multi-drop method with a good droplet quality is a big challenge in inkjet technology. In this study, optimization of Drop on Demand (DoD) inkjet printer waveform design was conducted. The effectiveness of the waveform design, so-called W waveform, from previous study as a preliminary vibration for the multi-drop ejection method was investigated. The unmodified W waveform was proven not to be an effective waveform for lower viscosity of liquid, especially when compared by the standard waveform obtained from a print-head manufacturer. Edible ink with a viscosity below the optimum range for print-head specifications was employed as the operating liquid. The preliminary vibration W waveform was modified to improve the droplet quality of the edible ink. It was proven that a 40% adjusted voltage of the rear wave of the W waveform was effective as the optimum waveform design for edible ink. The droplet quality of the multi-drop ejection method for grey-scale technology was improved by optimizing the W waveform design.

Sedimentary Dynamics Within the Sedimentary Filling of Sebkha Sidi El Hani, Eastern Tunisia

The Sidi El Hani Wetland is located in Eastern Tunisia. It represents the natural outlet of an endorheic system, Mechertate-Chrita-Sidi El Hani, and it collects all the eroded sediment from this watershed. In this chapter, the visual core description focused on three reference sandy bands and on the concept of grey scale variability in order to infer the clay pan response to the climatic variability and erosion during the last two millennia. First, in the uppermost part, the stage Warming Present (WP) stretches from (1954-80= 1874) to 1993, i.e. ≈120yrs; the establishment of modern conditions is characterized by stable conditions with high grey scale. Added to a small salt crust, this period is dominated by a clayey sedimentation. Second, the stage C4 is called the Late Little Ice Age (Late LIA); it stretches between the 80yrBP and 400yrBP, i.e., 320yrs. It is characterized by intermediate GS values; the clayey sedimentation makes up the twofold and threefold laminates. Based on laser granulometer, the genetic approach shows the interplay of eolian and hydraulic erosion.

Diagnostic Performance of Standard and Inverted Grey-Scale CXR in Detection of Lung Lesions in COVID-19 Patients: A Single Institute Study in the Region of Abu Dhabi

Purpose: This study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic performance of standard greyscale and inverted greyscale Chest X-ray (CXR) using Computed Tomography (CT) scan as a gold standard. Methods: In this retrospective study, electronic medical records of 120 patients who had valid CXR and High-resolution CT (HRCT) within less than 24 hours after having a positive COVID-19 RT-PCR test during the period from May 19th to May 23rd, 2020, in a single tertiary care center were reviewed. PA chest radiographs were presented on 2 occasions to 5 radiologists to evaluate the role and appropriateness of standard greyscale and inverted greyscale chest radiographs (CXR) when images are viewed on high-specification viewing systems using a primary display monitor and compared to computed tomography (CT) findings for screening and management of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. Results: Ninety-six (80%) patients had positive CT findings, 81 (67.5%) had positive grey scale CXR lesions, and 25 (20.8%) had better detection in the inverted grey scale CXR. The CXR sensitivity for COVID-19 pneumonia was 93.8% (95% CI (86.2% - 98.0%) and the specificity was 48.7% (95% CI (32.4% - 65.2%). The CXR sensitivity of detecting lung lesions was slightly higher in male (95.1% (95% CI (86.3% - 99.0%)) than female (90.0% (95% CI (68.3% - 98.8%)), while the specificity was 48.0% (95% CI (27.8% - 68.7%) and 50.0% (95% CI (23.0% - 77.0%) in males and females, respectively. However, no significant difference was detected in ROC area between men and women. Conclusion: The sensitivity of detecting lung lesions of CXR was relatively high, particularly in men. The results of the study support the idea of considering conventional radiographs as an important diagnostic tool in suspected COVID-19 patients, especially in healthcare facilities where there is no access to HRCT scans. CXR shows high sensitivity for detecting lung lesions in HRCT confirmed COVID-19 patients. Better detection of lesions was noted in the inverted greyscale CXR in 20.8% of cases, with positive findings in standard greyscale CXR. Conventional radiographs can be used as diagnostic tools in suspected COVID-19 patients, especially in healthcare facilities where there is no access to HRCT scans.

Ultrasound shows swollen joints are the better proxy for synovitis than tender joints in DMARD-naïve, early psoriatic arthritis

Objective To evaluate the relationship between clinical examination/ultrasound (US) synovitis in DMARD-naïve early PsA. Methods Eligible patients underwent matched clinical/US 44 joint assessment for tender and/or swollen joints (TJ/SJ) and US synovitis [grey scale (GS) ≥2 or power Doppler (PD) ≥1]. Statistical agreement between TJ/SJ, GS ≥ 2 or PD ≥ 1 was calculated by prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK). To derive probabilities of GS ≥ 2/PD ≥ 1, mixed-effects logistic regression modelled odds of US synovitis in TJ/SJ were conducted. Results In 155 patients, 5,616 joints underwent clinical/US examination. Of these joints, 1039/5616 (18.5%) were tender, 550/5616 (9.8%) were swollen, 1144/5616 (20.4%) had GS ≥ 2, and 292/5616 (5.2%) had PD ≥ 1. GS ≥ 2 was most prevalent in concomitantly tender and swollen joints [205/462 (44%)] followed by swollen non-tender joints [32/88 (36.4%)], tender non-swollen joints [148/577 (25.7%)], and non-tender non-swollen joints (subclinical synovitis) [759/4489 (16.9%)]. Agreement between SJ/PD ≥ 1 was high at the individual joint level (82.6%-96.3%, PABAK 0.65–0.93) and for total joints combined (89.9%, PABAK 0.80). SJ/GS ≥ 2 agreement was greater than between TJ/GS ≥ 2 [73.5%-92.6% vs 51.0%-87.4% (PABAK 0.47–0.85 vs PABAK 0.35–0.75) respectively]. Swelling was independently associated with higher odds of GS ≥ 2 [odds ratio (OR) (95% CI); 4.37 (2.62, 7.29); p < 0.001] but not tenderness [OR = 1.33 (0.87, 2.06); p = 0.192]. Swelling [OR = 8.78 (3.92, 19.66); p < 0.001] or tenderness [OR = 3.38 (1.53, 7.50); p = 0.003] were independently associated with higher odds of PD ≥ 1. Conclusion Synovitis (GS ≥ 2 and/or PD ≥ 1) was more likely in swollen joints than tender joints in DMARD-naïve, early PsA. Agreement indicated swollen joints were the better proxy for synovitis, adding to greater understanding between clinical/US assessments.

Comparison of Body Mass Index and Cholelithiasis Diagnosed on Ultrasound in the Population of Pindi Bhattian

Obesity is one of the emerging conditions in our population. Gallstones are composed of cholesterol. It is postulated that gallstones are associated with the deposition of cholesterol. Ultrasound is the first line imaging modality for the diagnosis of cholelithiasis. If gallstones are correlated with BMI, it will open up a new vista for further research. In Yaqoob Ultrasound Clinic, PindiBhattian, Pakistan, a cross sectional analytical study was conducted. All included patients were inquired regarding variables like Age, Height, Weight, Presences of stones, Wall thickness of gall bladder, and location of gall stones on grey scale ultrasound findings. Patients were asked to lie down and expose their abdomen; grey scale abdominal ultrasound was performed of these patients. All variables mentioned above for each patient was recorded and maintain in their individual case record form (CFR). Data was collected during allocated period. Statically package SPSS version 2.4 was used to check the collected data and to organize and compile results. According to results out of total 160 patients, 105 were females and 55 were male. Out of 160 patients 150 (93.8%) were present with gall stones and 10 (6.3%) were having no gall stone. In total 61 patients (38.1%) were having single gall stone whereas 89 (55.6%) were diagnosed with multiple gall stones. According to the results, minimum age was 18 years and maximum was 80 years. Our study concluded that obesity is one of the major risk factors for gall stones. Obesity is usually more common in females, so they are more likely to have gall stones and overweight patients were more prone to GB stones.

Terms for Thralls and Their Meanings

In this chapter words for slaves are discussed using etymological and semantic analyses, and confronting the result with non-linguistic contextual evidence. The main words for a male and a female slave was obviously þræll and ambótt, the former probably an indigenous North-Germanic construction, the latter a loan word from Gallo-Latin. The terminological analysis reveal that although the legal situation for a slave in early Scandinavia was rather black-and-white – you where either free or unfree – socially there was more of a gliding grey-scale. This is also found in the earliest laws, especially where the laws describe the penalties for killing or abusing a slave; the penalties differed, sometimes quite remarkably. This analysis leads over to a discussion of a “patron–client” kind of situation. With a background in personal names, such as Wealtheow, Ansedeus, Angelþéow etc., where the second element is a word tewaz ‘slave, servant’, and the first element often the name of a god or a people, it is possible to identify an cultural code in early European societies.

Dyeing of cotton fabric by Caesalpinia sappan aqueous extract at different temperatures and mordants

The colour is one of the most important features in textile industry and customers requirements. Synthetic colours are available at affordable prices due to their bulk production. On the other hand, they pose undesirable taste (in case of foods) and harmful effects to ecosystem. The natural colours when used in textiles do not threat the environments and do not cause any skin allergy, toxicity and other hazards to living things as compared to the synthetic counterparts. In the present study, dyeing experiments were conducted with the aqueous extract of bark chips of Caesalpinia sappan at 60, 80 and100° C and using different mordant treatments. The fastness to washing for most of cotton fabrics showed fair grey scale rating. Among the mordants Alum, CuSo4 and Myrobalan used, the natural mordant myrobalan showed poor fastness properties compared to other two mordants. The staining tests showed that most of fabrics exhibited only slight/completely no pilling in majority of the treatments.