Plasmid pVK1001 which carried the gfp gene of GFPmut2, a mutant of GFP, was introduced into Azospirillum brasilense Yu62 by electroporation. Maize seedlings were inoculated with the GFP-labelled baeteria and grown gno...Plasmid pVK1001 which carried the gfp gene of GFPmut2, a mutant of GFP, was introduced into Azospirillum brasilense Yu62 by electroporation. Maize seedlings were inoculated with the GFP-labelled baeteria and grown gnotobiotically in flask with semi-solid agar medium. Observations were performed with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and electron microscopy, respectively, at 8 d and 12 d after inoculation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that A. brasilense Yu62 could penetrate into the cortex tissue, colonizing in the intercellular spaces of the parenchyma cells of the cortex tissue. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the majority of the bacteria colonized on the root surface and only a minority of them resided in the root interior.展开更多
To prepare a solid dispersion of cisapride with hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose(HPMC E5 LV) as carrier for the purpose of accelerating the in vitro drug release by means ofimproving the solubility of the model drug. Met...To prepare a solid dispersion of cisapride with hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose(HPMC E5 LV) as carrier for the purpose of accelerating the in vitro drug release by means ofimproving the solubility of the model drug. Methods Alcohol and simulated gastric fluid (SGF) wereused to dissolve cisapride and HPMC in order to make the model drug dispersed homogeneously in thecarrier. The HPMC-cisapride solid dispersion was then obtained by conventional solvent evaporationmethod. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to measure the diffraction peaks of pure carrier,pure cisapride, physical mixture of HPMC with cisapride (4:1), and HPMC-cisapride solid dispersion(4:1) to confirm the crystal existence. The solubility of pure drug and HPMC-cisapride soliddispersion was measured with water, SGF and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) . The in vitro drugreleases of the sustained release tablet prepared with pure cisapride or HPMC-cisapride soliddispersion were investigated with water and SGF as media, respectively. Results No diffraction peakswere found by X-ray diffraction in the HPMC-cisapride solid dispersion (4:1), indicating that thedrug existed in an amorphous form at that drug-carrier ratio. Compared with the pure drug, thesolubilities of HPMC-cisapride solid dispersion are increased by 239.4% in SGF, 132.6% in water, and117.9% in SIF. According to the in vitro drug release, the sustained release tablet prepared withHPMC-cisapride solid dispersion had a faster drug release than did that prepared with pure drug. Thein vitro drug release profiles were found to comply with Higuchi's rule. Conclusion The in vitrodrug release of the sustained release tablet made by HPMC-cisapride solid dispersion is improvedowing to the increased drug solubility.展开更多
Watermelon is a popular fruit in the world with soluble solids content (SSC) being one of the major characteristics used for assessing its quality. This study was aimed at obtaining a method for nondestructive SSC d...Watermelon is a popular fruit in the world with soluble solids content (SSC) being one of the major characteristics used for assessing its quality. This study was aimed at obtaining a method for nondestructive SSC detection of watermelons by means of visible/near infrared (Vis/NIR) diffuse transmittance technique. Vis/NIR transmittance spectra of intact watermelons were acquired using a low-cost commercially available spectrometer operating over the range 350-1000 nm. Spectra data were analyzed by two multivariate calibration techniques: partial least squares (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR) methods. Two experiments were designed for two varieties of watermelons [Qilin (QL), Zaochunhongyu (ZC)], which have different skin thickness range and shape dimensions. The influences of different data preprocessing and spectra treatments were also investigated. Performance of different models was assessed in terms of root mean square errors of calibration (RMSEC), root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) and correlation coefficient (r) between the predicted and measured parameter values. Results showed that spectra data preprocessing influenced the performance of the calibration models. The first derivative spectra showed the best results with high correlation coefficient of determination [r=0.918 (QL); r=0.954 (ZC)], low RMSEP [0.65 °Brix (QL); 0.58 °Brix (ZC)], low RMSEC [0.48 °Brix (QL); 0.34°Brix (ZC)] and small difference between the'RMSEP and the RMSEC by PLS method. The nondestructive Vis/NIR measurements provided good estimates of SSC index of watermelon, and the predicted values were highly correlated with destructively measured values for SSC. The models based on smoothing spectra (Savitzky-Golay filter smoothing method) did not enhance the performance of calibration models obviously. The results indicated the feasibility of Vis/NIR diffuse transmittance spectral analysis for predicting watermelon SSC in a nondestructive way.展开更多
Based on non-Darcian flow law described by exponent and threshold gradient within a double-layered soil, the classic theory of one-dimensional consolidation of double-layered soil was modified to consider the change o...Based on non-Darcian flow law described by exponent and threshold gradient within a double-layered soil, the classic theory of one-dimensional consolidation of double-layered soil was modified to consider the change of vertical total stress with depth and time together. Because of the complexity of governing equations, the numerical solutions were obtained in detail by finite difference method. Then, the numerical solutions were compared with the analytical solutions in condition that non-Darcian flow law was degenerated to Dary's law, and the comparison results show that numerical solutions are reliable. Finally, consolidation behavior of double-layered soil with different parameters was analyzed, and the results show that the consolidation rate of double-layered soil decreases with increasing the value of exponent and threshold of non-Darcian flow, and the exponent and threshold gradient of the first soil layer greatly influence the consolidation rate of double-layered soil. The larger the ratio of the equivalent water head of external load to the total thickness of double-layered soil, the larger the rate of the consolidation, and the similitude relationship in classical consolidation theory of double-layered soil is not satisfied. The other consolidation behavior of double-layered soil with non-Darcian flow is the same as that with Darcy's law.展开更多
Comprehending regional characteristics and influencing factors of China's inbound tourism economy is im- portant to make effective policies that will help inbound tourism develop harmoniously and shrink regional disp...Comprehending regional characteristics and influencing factors of China's inbound tourism economy is im- portant to make effective policies that will help inbound tourism develop harmoniously and shrink regional disparity. This paper studied the regional disparity and convergence of China's inbound tourism economy during 1996-2008 with the methods of a-convergence, club convergence and r-convergence. The results indicate that 1) inbound tourism receipts per capita (ITRPC) of the whole country, the eastern, central and western regions presented the rapid increasing trend; 2) ITRPC of the whole country was characterized by convergence; 3) the eastern region presented club con- vergence, but the central and western regions did not show this trend; 4) the star-hotel levels and investment in fixed assets for the tourism industry per capita had a same trend to growth rates of ITRPC, promoting inbound tourism de- velopment, and there was no difference among the 31 provinces (municipalities) in the mainland of China; 5) but the proportion of employed persons in the tourism industry accounting for total population and the proportion of the terti- ary industry accounting for GDP had a reversal trend to growth rates of ITRPC, shrinking the provincial disparity in inbound tourism economy, and there were differences between the developed provinces and the developing provinces. Based on these analyses, we put forward some suggestions for the developing provinces to speed up inbound tourism economy.展开更多
Near the Imagire-guchi inlet, which is the target area in this study, the shoreline on the west side of a jetty retreats because of a decrease in sediment supply from the east side upstream. This study attempts to ana...Near the Imagire-guchi inlet, which is the target area in this study, the shoreline on the west side of a jetty retreats because of a decrease in sediment supply from the east side upstream. This study attempts to analyze the shoreline and topographic changes around the inlet through analysis of GPS (global position system) measurements and digitized shoreline from aerial photographs. In addition, the DoC (depth of closure) is determined by examining datasets of cross-shore profiles and by calculations using the Hallermeier equation (1981) based on the offshore wave height and period. The results obtained by GPS indicate coastal erosion caused by waves generated by typhoons. The gradual recovery of the shoreline position after the typhoons struck was also captured by the GPS survey. However, analysis of the aerial photographs reveals that the shoreline on the west side of the jetty fluctuated widely. The cross-shore profile datasets reveal that closure depth far from the inlet was deeper than that near the inlet.展开更多
Separation of fluoxetine enantiomers on five chiral stationary phases (chiralcel OD-H, chiralcel OJ-H, chiralpak AD-H, cyclobond 1 2000 DM and kromasil CHI-TBB) was investigated. The optimal mobile phase composition...Separation of fluoxetine enantiomers on five chiral stationary phases (chiralcel OD-H, chiralcel OJ-H, chiralpak AD-H, cyclobond 1 2000 DM and kromasil CHI-TBB) was investigated. The optimal mobile phase compositions of fluoxetine separation on each column were hexane/isopropanol/diethyl amine (98/2/0.2, v/v/v), hexane/isopropanol/diethyl amine (99/1/0. l, v/v/v), hexane/isopropanol/diethyl amine (98/2/0.2, v/v/v), methanol/0.2% triethylamine acetic acid (TEAA) (25/75, v/v; pH 3.8) and hexane/isopropanol/diethyl amine (98/2/0.2, v/v/v), respectively. Experimental results demonstrated that baseline separation (Rs〉1.5) of fluoxetine enantiomers was obtained on chiralcel OD-H, chiralpak AD-H, and cyclobond I 2000 DM while the best separation was obtained on the last one. The eluate orders of fluoxetine enantiomers on the columns were determined. The first eluate by chiralcel OJ-H and kromasil CHI-TBB is the S-enantiomer, while by chiralpak AD-H and cyclobond 12000 DM is the R-enantiomer.展开更多
This paper establishes the theoretical hypothesis of carbon intensity convergence, and through statistics to analyze and describe the whole country and the eastern and western regions with the use of mixed regression ...This paper establishes the theoretical hypothesis of carbon intensity convergence, and through statistics to analyze and describe the whole country and the eastern and western regions with the use of mixed regression model and fixed effects regression method, and test σ -convergence, absolute convergence and conditional convergence in order to have an empirical study on carbon convergence hypothesis.展开更多
Resistance to freezing and thawing of two UHSC (ultra high strength concrete) mixtures was evaluated in accordance with ASTM C 666 Procedure A. The two mixtures (plain and fiber reinforced) were developed using ma...Resistance to freezing and thawing of two UHSC (ultra high strength concrete) mixtures was evaluated in accordance with ASTM C 666 Procedure A. The two mixtures (plain and fiber reinforced) were developed using materials local to southern New Mexico, USA. Three different curing regimens were investigated for the mixture with fibers and one curing regimen was studied for the mixture without fibers. All curing regimens included 24 h of ambient curing followed by four days of wet curing at 50 ℃, and then two days dry curing at 200 ℃. At an age of seven days, one batch of fiber reinforced specimens was air cured at ambient conditions for the following six days and then placed in a water bath at 4.4 ℃ for 24 h prior to initiating freezing and thawing cycles. The second batch was air cured from day seven to day 12, and then wet cured for one day at 23 ℃ prior to being placed in the 4.4 ℃ water bath. The final batch was wet cured at 23 ℃ from the seventh day to an age of 13 days and then placed in the 4.4 ℃ water bath. The mixture with no fibers was air cured from the seventh day to an age of 12 days and then wet cured for one day at 23 ℃ prior to being placed in the 4.4 ℃ water bath. Higher moisture levels during curing produced greater initial dynamic elastic modulus values and durability factors at the end of the freezing and thawing tests, with the greatest durability factor being 87.5. Steel fibers were observed to improve both compressive strength and durability factor for UHSC.展开更多
To further investigate the one-dimensional(1D)rheological consolidation mechanism of double-layered soil,the fractional derivative Merchant model(FDMM)and the non-Darcian flow model with the non-Newtonian index are re...To further investigate the one-dimensional(1D)rheological consolidation mechanism of double-layered soil,the fractional derivative Merchant model(FDMM)and the non-Darcian flow model with the non-Newtonian index are respectively introduced to describe the deformation of viscoelastic soil and the flow of pore water in the process of consolidation.Accordingly,an 1D rheological consolidation equation of double-layered soil is obtained,and its numerical analysis is performed by the implicit finite difference method.In order to verify its validity,the numerical solutions by the present method for some simplified cases are compared with the results in the related literature.Then,the influence of the revelent parameters on the rheological consolidation of double-layered soil are investigated.Numerical results indicate that the parameters of non-Darcian flow and FDMM of the first soil layer greatly influence the consolidation rate of double-layered soil.As the decrease of relative compressibility or the increase of relative permeability between the lower soil and the upper soil,the dissipation rate of excess pore water pressure and the settlement rate of the ground will be accelerated.Increasing the relative thickness of soil layer with high permeability or low compressibility will also accelerate the consolidation rate of double-layered soil.展开更多
This article provides an overview of an eleven step solid waste analysis and minimization process that is based on the six sigma approach to problem solving that may be applied at a wide variety of organizations. The ...This article provides an overview of an eleven step solid waste analysis and minimization process that is based on the six sigma approach to problem solving that may be applied at a wide variety of organizations. The six sigma approach provides a holistic process that focuses on minimizing defects, in this case, eliminating waste disposed at landfills. As many organizations are moving towards "zero landfill" facilities, such a process is needed to aid in achieving these goals. The eleven step processes provides details on establishing goals, creating process flowcharts, conducting waste sorts, data collection, establishing baseline data, identifying improvement opportunities, cost justification, executing improvement plans and validating results. The article also includes a case study that applies that eleven step process. The goal of the article is to provide the audience with a structured process to evaluate and minimize solid waste generation based on cost justified improvement opportunities.展开更多
文摘Plasmid pVK1001 which carried the gfp gene of GFPmut2, a mutant of GFP, was introduced into Azospirillum brasilense Yu62 by electroporation. Maize seedlings were inoculated with the GFP-labelled baeteria and grown gnotobiotically in flask with semi-solid agar medium. Observations were performed with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and electron microscopy, respectively, at 8 d and 12 d after inoculation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that A. brasilense Yu62 could penetrate into the cortex tissue, colonizing in the intercellular spaces of the parenchyma cells of the cortex tissue. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the majority of the bacteria colonized on the root surface and only a minority of them resided in the root interior.
文摘To prepare a solid dispersion of cisapride with hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose(HPMC E5 LV) as carrier for the purpose of accelerating the in vitro drug release by means ofimproving the solubility of the model drug. Methods Alcohol and simulated gastric fluid (SGF) wereused to dissolve cisapride and HPMC in order to make the model drug dispersed homogeneously in thecarrier. The HPMC-cisapride solid dispersion was then obtained by conventional solvent evaporationmethod. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to measure the diffraction peaks of pure carrier,pure cisapride, physical mixture of HPMC with cisapride (4:1), and HPMC-cisapride solid dispersion(4:1) to confirm the crystal existence. The solubility of pure drug and HPMC-cisapride soliddispersion was measured with water, SGF and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) . The in vitro drugreleases of the sustained release tablet prepared with pure cisapride or HPMC-cisapride soliddispersion were investigated with water and SGF as media, respectively. Results No diffraction peakswere found by X-ray diffraction in the HPMC-cisapride solid dispersion (4:1), indicating that thedrug existed in an amorphous form at that drug-carrier ratio. Compared with the pure drug, thesolubilities of HPMC-cisapride solid dispersion are increased by 239.4% in SGF, 132.6% in water, and117.9% in SIF. According to the in vitro drug release, the sustained release tablet prepared withHPMC-cisapride solid dispersion had a faster drug release than did that prepared with pure drug. Thein vitro drug release profiles were found to comply with Higuchi's rule. Conclusion The in vitrodrug release of the sustained release tablet made by HPMC-cisapride solid dispersion is improvedowing to the increased drug solubility.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30370371) and Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (No. NCET-04-0524), China
文摘Watermelon is a popular fruit in the world with soluble solids content (SSC) being one of the major characteristics used for assessing its quality. This study was aimed at obtaining a method for nondestructive SSC detection of watermelons by means of visible/near infrared (Vis/NIR) diffuse transmittance technique. Vis/NIR transmittance spectra of intact watermelons were acquired using a low-cost commercially available spectrometer operating over the range 350-1000 nm. Spectra data were analyzed by two multivariate calibration techniques: partial least squares (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR) methods. Two experiments were designed for two varieties of watermelons [Qilin (QL), Zaochunhongyu (ZC)], which have different skin thickness range and shape dimensions. The influences of different data preprocessing and spectra treatments were also investigated. Performance of different models was assessed in terms of root mean square errors of calibration (RMSEC), root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) and correlation coefficient (r) between the predicted and measured parameter values. Results showed that spectra data preprocessing influenced the performance of the calibration models. The first derivative spectra showed the best results with high correlation coefficient of determination [r=0.918 (QL); r=0.954 (ZC)], low RMSEP [0.65 °Brix (QL); 0.58 °Brix (ZC)], low RMSEC [0.48 °Brix (QL); 0.34°Brix (ZC)] and small difference between the'RMSEP and the RMSEC by PLS method. The nondestructive Vis/NIR measurements provided good estimates of SSC index of watermelon, and the predicted values were highly correlated with destructively measured values for SSC. The models based on smoothing spectra (Savitzky-Golay filter smoothing method) did not enhance the performance of calibration models obviously. The results indicated the feasibility of Vis/NIR diffuse transmittance spectral analysis for predicting watermelon SSC in a nondestructive way.
基金Projects(50878191,51109092)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Based on non-Darcian flow law described by exponent and threshold gradient within a double-layered soil, the classic theory of one-dimensional consolidation of double-layered soil was modified to consider the change of vertical total stress with depth and time together. Because of the complexity of governing equations, the numerical solutions were obtained in detail by finite difference method. Then, the numerical solutions were compared with the analytical solutions in condition that non-Darcian flow law was degenerated to Dary's law, and the comparison results show that numerical solutions are reliable. Finally, consolidation behavior of double-layered soil with different parameters was analyzed, and the results show that the consolidation rate of double-layered soil decreases with increasing the value of exponent and threshold of non-Darcian flow, and the exponent and threshold gradient of the first soil layer greatly influence the consolidation rate of double-layered soil. The larger the ratio of the equivalent water head of external load to the total thickness of double-layered soil, the larger the rate of the consolidation, and the similitude relationship in classical consolidation theory of double-layered soil is not satisfied. The other consolidation behavior of double-layered soil with non-Darcian flow is the same as that with Darcy's law.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40971019)National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2007CB411501)
文摘Comprehending regional characteristics and influencing factors of China's inbound tourism economy is im- portant to make effective policies that will help inbound tourism develop harmoniously and shrink regional disparity. This paper studied the regional disparity and convergence of China's inbound tourism economy during 1996-2008 with the methods of a-convergence, club convergence and r-convergence. The results indicate that 1) inbound tourism receipts per capita (ITRPC) of the whole country, the eastern, central and western regions presented the rapid increasing trend; 2) ITRPC of the whole country was characterized by convergence; 3) the eastern region presented club con- vergence, but the central and western regions did not show this trend; 4) the star-hotel levels and investment in fixed assets for the tourism industry per capita had a same trend to growth rates of ITRPC, promoting inbound tourism de- velopment, and there was no difference among the 31 provinces (municipalities) in the mainland of China; 5) but the proportion of employed persons in the tourism industry accounting for total population and the proportion of the terti- ary industry accounting for GDP had a reversal trend to growth rates of ITRPC, shrinking the provincial disparity in inbound tourism economy, and there were differences between the developed provinces and the developing provinces. Based on these analyses, we put forward some suggestions for the developing provinces to speed up inbound tourism economy.
文摘Near the Imagire-guchi inlet, which is the target area in this study, the shoreline on the west side of a jetty retreats because of a decrease in sediment supply from the east side upstream. This study attempts to analyze the shoreline and topographic changes around the inlet through analysis of GPS (global position system) measurements and digitized shoreline from aerial photographs. In addition, the DoC (depth of closure) is determined by examining datasets of cross-shore profiles and by calculations using the Hallermeier equation (1981) based on the offshore wave height and period. The results obtained by GPS indicate coastal erosion caused by waves generated by typhoons. The gradual recovery of the shoreline position after the typhoons struck was also captured by the GPS survey. However, analysis of the aerial photographs reveals that the shoreline on the west side of the jetty fluctuated widely. The cross-shore profile datasets reveal that closure depth far from the inlet was deeper than that near the inlet.
文摘Separation of fluoxetine enantiomers on five chiral stationary phases (chiralcel OD-H, chiralcel OJ-H, chiralpak AD-H, cyclobond 1 2000 DM and kromasil CHI-TBB) was investigated. The optimal mobile phase compositions of fluoxetine separation on each column were hexane/isopropanol/diethyl amine (98/2/0.2, v/v/v), hexane/isopropanol/diethyl amine (99/1/0. l, v/v/v), hexane/isopropanol/diethyl amine (98/2/0.2, v/v/v), methanol/0.2% triethylamine acetic acid (TEAA) (25/75, v/v; pH 3.8) and hexane/isopropanol/diethyl amine (98/2/0.2, v/v/v), respectively. Experimental results demonstrated that baseline separation (Rs〉1.5) of fluoxetine enantiomers was obtained on chiralcel OD-H, chiralpak AD-H, and cyclobond I 2000 DM while the best separation was obtained on the last one. The eluate orders of fluoxetine enantiomers on the columns were determined. The first eluate by chiralcel OJ-H and kromasil CHI-TBB is the S-enantiomer, while by chiralpak AD-H and cyclobond 12000 DM is the R-enantiomer.
文摘This paper establishes the theoretical hypothesis of carbon intensity convergence, and through statistics to analyze and describe the whole country and the eastern and western regions with the use of mixed regression model and fixed effects regression method, and test σ -convergence, absolute convergence and conditional convergence in order to have an empirical study on carbon convergence hypothesis.
文摘Resistance to freezing and thawing of two UHSC (ultra high strength concrete) mixtures was evaluated in accordance with ASTM C 666 Procedure A. The two mixtures (plain and fiber reinforced) were developed using materials local to southern New Mexico, USA. Three different curing regimens were investigated for the mixture with fibers and one curing regimen was studied for the mixture without fibers. All curing regimens included 24 h of ambient curing followed by four days of wet curing at 50 ℃, and then two days dry curing at 200 ℃. At an age of seven days, one batch of fiber reinforced specimens was air cured at ambient conditions for the following six days and then placed in a water bath at 4.4 ℃ for 24 h prior to initiating freezing and thawing cycles. The second batch was air cured from day seven to day 12, and then wet cured for one day at 23 ℃ prior to being placed in the 4.4 ℃ water bath. The final batch was wet cured at 23 ℃ from the seventh day to an age of 13 days and then placed in the 4.4 ℃ water bath. The mixture with no fibers was air cured from the seventh day to an age of 12 days and then wet cured for one day at 23 ℃ prior to being placed in the 4.4 ℃ water bath. Higher moisture levels during curing produced greater initial dynamic elastic modulus values and durability factors at the end of the freezing and thawing tests, with the greatest durability factor being 87.5. Steel fibers were observed to improve both compressive strength and durability factor for UHSC.
基金Project(51578511)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China。
文摘To further investigate the one-dimensional(1D)rheological consolidation mechanism of double-layered soil,the fractional derivative Merchant model(FDMM)and the non-Darcian flow model with the non-Newtonian index are respectively introduced to describe the deformation of viscoelastic soil and the flow of pore water in the process of consolidation.Accordingly,an 1D rheological consolidation equation of double-layered soil is obtained,and its numerical analysis is performed by the implicit finite difference method.In order to verify its validity,the numerical solutions by the present method for some simplified cases are compared with the results in the related literature.Then,the influence of the revelent parameters on the rheological consolidation of double-layered soil are investigated.Numerical results indicate that the parameters of non-Darcian flow and FDMM of the first soil layer greatly influence the consolidation rate of double-layered soil.As the decrease of relative compressibility or the increase of relative permeability between the lower soil and the upper soil,the dissipation rate of excess pore water pressure and the settlement rate of the ground will be accelerated.Increasing the relative thickness of soil layer with high permeability or low compressibility will also accelerate the consolidation rate of double-layered soil.
文摘This article provides an overview of an eleven step solid waste analysis and minimization process that is based on the six sigma approach to problem solving that may be applied at a wide variety of organizations. The six sigma approach provides a holistic process that focuses on minimizing defects, in this case, eliminating waste disposed at landfills. As many organizations are moving towards "zero landfill" facilities, such a process is needed to aid in achieving these goals. The eleven step processes provides details on establishing goals, creating process flowcharts, conducting waste sorts, data collection, establishing baseline data, identifying improvement opportunities, cost justification, executing improvement plans and validating results. The article also includes a case study that applies that eleven step process. The goal of the article is to provide the audience with a structured process to evaluate and minimize solid waste generation based on cost justified improvement opportunities.