Formation of surface defects on polymer lenses depending on moisture absorption

Lenses for eye glasses of thermosetting material CR39 and optical lenses of polycarbonate have been investigated with respect to their moisture absorption behavior. The moisture content of polymer lenses has been determined by analyzing transmission spectra in the near infrared (NIR). The surface topography was characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). In spite of the fact that CR39 takes up essentially more water, the formation of surface defects is not remarkable compared with lenses of polycarbonate.     

3-Sphären mit kleinen Eckenvalenzen

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Herrn Professor Dr. Dr.h.c.mult. Otto Haupt mit den besten Wünschen zum 100. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Cognitive level in problem segments and theory segments

Problems play an important role in mathematics instruction and are therefore frequently seen as central points of application for measures of instructional development. The research project “Quality of instruction and mathematical understanding in different cultures” examines the cognitive level of practice problems and theory problems in a three-lesson unit on the Introduction to Pythagorean theorem¹: Analogously to the TIMSS 1999 video study, a differentiation was made between the cognitive level of problem statement and the cognitive level of problem implementation. Additionally, the lesson time was also divided into practice and theory segments. The results show that teachers with a high proportion of connection activities in practice segments do not necessarily also spend a greater proportion of time on an analogous level for theory.     

Bioterrorism: impact on external quality assessment service delivery

Safety issues related to the design, production and distribution of simulated specimens for microbiology external quality assessment (EQA) have occupied scheme organisers for many years. Since the anthrax attacks in Washington, USA in October 2001, there has been heightened awareness in the public domain regarding the transport of infectious substances. For instance, in direct response to the anthrax incident in the US, microbiology institutes in the UK that handle dangerous pathogens (like the Health Protection Agency) are registered with the national police force and are inspected regularly to ensure compliance with current legislation covering the control of these pathogens. The fear of a complete ban on the movement of infectious substances following the anthrax incident has not yet been realised, but remains a serious risk. Many countries such as the UK, USA, and Australia have introduced measures for the control, transportation, and health and safety aspects of handling and distribution of infectious materials. The national postal services of many countries do not accept infectious materials by mail. There are a limited number of courier services willing to transport dangerous goods, especially division 6.2 (infectious substances) and these services are costly. Measures can be implemented by scheme organisers to ensure best practice; for instance, by having sufficient and trained staff, with knowledge, expertise and use of computerised systems in the shipping/export department. Ensuring compliance with national and international health and safety legislation by providing safety data sheets and by carrying out product risk assessments is required to ensure transparency and to demonstrate duty of care. Organisers of microbiology EQA face uncertainty about the future survival of schemes in the current climate. It is imperative that practices and procedures are put into place that meet with the legislation and enable us to continue to support quality in laboratory medicine.

     

Check Character Systems Using Chevalley Groups

We show that the Sylow 2-subgroups of nearly all Chevalley groups in even characteristic allow the definition of a check-character-system which detects all single and the most important double errors.