bioMerieux, Inc., has recently introduced plastic bottles to replace glass bottles for use in the BacT/ALERT blood culture system. We compared the performance of the plastic to the glass bottles in a large clinical evaluation. Two blood cultures were collected from each patient, one using glass FA (aerobic) and FN (anaerobic) bottles and one using plastic FA and FN bottles. Of the 4,040 sets of...

Composite materials, such as glass fibre reinforced polymers (GFRPs), possess the advantages of high strength and stiffness, low density, as well as manufacturing flexibility; therefore, their potential in replacing conventional materials (such as concrete, aluminium and steel) in building construction has become attractive. One of the major issues that hinder the extensive use of composite str...

The primary goal of this thesis is to analyze current trends in the improvement of the performance and safety of glass during an earthquake. The four sections consist of an overview of glass as a building material, glass installation methods, rehabilitation methods for existing structures, and building code related issues. The thesis is based on an analysis of sources including books, journal a...

New cathode candidate Na2FeP2O7 for rechargeable sodium ion second battery was successfully prepared by glass-ceramics method. The precursor glass, which is same composition in Na2FeP2O7, was prepared by melt-quenching method. Na2FeP2O7 was obtained by heat treatment of precursor glass powder with 10% glucose addition as reduction agent of Fe3+ at 620°C for 3 h in electric furnace. Na2FeP2O7 ha...

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the safety of calcium sodium borosilicate, calcium aluminum borosilicate, calcium titanium borosilicate, silver borosilicate, and zinc borosilicate as used in cosmetics. These borosilicate glasses function mostly as bulking agents. Available animal and human data were considered along with data from a previous safety assessment of mag...

To validate performance, we compared the new plastic BacT/ALERT (bioMérieux, Durham, NC) SN bottle to the current glass SN bottle with samples of blood obtained for culture from adults and found them comparable for both recovery and speed of detection of microorganisms. We conclude that the safety advantage of plastic bottles can be achieved without compromising performance.

This study explores the acceptance of augmented reality (AR) in safety classes using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Participants from were exposed to AR-based activities, and their perceptions AR's usefulness ease use measured through surveys. The findings reveal that participants found AR highly useful enhancing safe learning experiences, visualizing procedures, facilitating engagement. al...

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are going to play more important roles in electric vehicles and smart grids. The safety of the current LIBs of large capacity has been remaining a challenge due to the existence of large amounts of organic liquid electrolytes. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) have been tried to replace the organic electrolyte to improve their safety. However, the application of GPEs ...