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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of urea–formaldehyde (UF) nanoparticles on the barrier property and delamination resistance for epoxy coating in a 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution.

The UF resin was synthesized via sol–gel method, and UF/epoxy composite coating was prepared through ball-milling process; the microstructure and chemical composition of UF resin were observed using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy; the bonding strength of coating/metal interface was investigated through adhesion test; the mechanical properties of the coatings were studied by tensile tests; and the barrier and corrosion resistance properties were verified using salt spray test, cathodic delamination test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements.

The experimental results indicated that the UF resin presented uniformly dispersed nanoparticles in the epoxy matrix and enhanced the bonding strength of coating/metal interface and then improved the delamination resistance for composite coating, which resulted in the enhancement of the barrier property and corrosion resistance for UF/epoxy composite coating.

In this paper, an easily prepared blending compounding coating with excellent corrosion resistance property was synthesized via sol–gel method and ball-milling process. The effects of UF nanoparticles on the barrier property and delamination resistance were investigated in detail.

This paper aims to further develop stator permanent magnet (PM) type memory machines by providing generalized design guidelines for double-stator memory machines (DSMMs) with hybrid PMs. This paper discusses the design experience of DSMMs and presents a comparative study of radial magnetization (RM) and circumferential magnetization (CM) types.

It begins with an introduction to RM and CM operating principles and magnetization mechanisms. Then, a comparative study is conducted for one of the RM-DSMM rotor pole pairs, inner and outer stator clamping angles and low coercive force PMs thickness. Finally, the two machines’ finite element simulation performance is compared. The validity of the proposed machine structure is demonstrated.

In this paper, the double-stator structure is extended to parallel hybrid PM memory machines, and two novel DSMMs with RM and CM configurations are proposed. Two types of DSMMs have PMs and magnetizing windings on the inner stator and armature windings on the outer stator. The main difference between the two is the arrangement of PMs on the inner stator.

Conventional stator PM memory machines have geometrical space conflicts between the PM and armature windings. The proposed double-stator structure can alleviate these conflicts and increase the torque density accordingly. In addition, this paper contributes to comparing the arrangement of hybrid PMs for DSMMs.

This case study aims to demonstrate the strengths of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology to improve the acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treatment rates and reduce process lead time at Baruch Padeh Medical Center (BPMC), a rural hospital in the Galilee region of Northern Israel. The LSS project redefined the BPMC stroke care pathway and increased its efficacy.

The LSS methodology was implemented in September 2017 by integrating lean principles and the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define–Measure–Analyze–Improve–Control). Existing procedures, field observation, ad hoc measurement and in-depth interviews were utilized, and the GEMBA method was implemented to identify root cause and improve actions optimizing the stroke pathway.

The presented case shows the usefulness of the LSS methodology in improving quality performance in a rural hospital. The intervention allowed the BPMC to improve the intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) administration rate (+15.2%), reducing the process lead time. The lead time of door-to-computer tomography decreased from 52 to 26 min, and the door-to-needle time decreased from 94 to 75 min.

The present case study shows the implementation of the LSS methodology aimed to improve the IV-tPA administration rate and reduce the stroke pathway lead time in a rural hospital. The case demonstrates the potential for the LSS methodology to support the AIS pathway optimization and represents a guide for healthcare organizations located in rural areas.