Using Web resources to construct multilingual medical thesaurus for cross-language medical information retrieval

Due to the language barrier, non-English users are unable to retrieve the most updated medical information from the U.S. authoritative medical websites, such as PubMed and MedlinePlus. However, currently, there is no any cross-language medical information retrieval (CLMIR) system that can help Chinese-speaking consumers cross the language barrier in finding useful English medical information. A few CLMIR systems utilize MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) to help overcome the language barrier. Unfortunately, the traditional Chinese version of MeSH is currently unavailable.In this paper, we employ a semi-automatic term translation method to construct a Chinese–English MeSH by exploiting abundant multilingual Web resources, including Web anchor texts and search–result pages. Through this method, we have developed a Chinese–English Mesh Compilation System to assist knowledge engineers in compiling a Chinese–English medical thesaurus with more than 19,000 entries. Furthermore, this thesaurus has been used to develop a prototypical system for cross-language medical information retrieval, MMODE, which can help consumers retrieve top-quality English medical information using Chinese terms.     

On a novel press system with six links for precision deep drawing

The objective of this paper is to propose a novel press system with six links for precision deep drawing, and verify its feasibility. First, the system is presented and its advantages are discussed. Then, the kinematic analysis of the system is obtained by examining the geometry of the design. Moreover, kinematic dimensions of the variable coupling are found by using optimization method. Furthermore, the proposed approach is illustrated by a design example, its solid model for the proposed design is established, and then kinematic simulation is performed by ADAMS software. Finally, a prototype and an experimental setup are established, and the experiment is conducted. The results show that the proposed new mechanism is feasible and of reasonable accuracy. In addition, it has the advantages of easy manufacture, lower cost, higher precision, and easy adjustability.     

The single-machine total weighted tardiness scheduling problem with position-based learning effects

This study addresses the problem of minimizing the total weighted tardiness on a single-machine with a position-based learning effect. Several dominance properties are established to develop branch and bound algorithm and a lower bound is provided to derive the optimal solution. In addition, three heuristic procedures are developed for near-optimal solutions. Computational results are also presented to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms.     

Applying hierarchical grey relation clustering analysis to geographical information systems - A case study of the hospitals in Taipei City

Deng proposed grey clustering analysis (GCA) in 1987. Later, Jin presented a new method in 1993, called grey relational clustering (GRC) method that combined grey relational analysis with clustering. However, the GRC method cannot use a tree diagram to make appropriate classification decisions without re-computation. This study thus attempts to combine GRC and hierarchical clustering analysis. Given the existence of an excess of medical resources in the Taipei area, this study attempts to understand the degree of concentration of medical resources in this area. Specifically, this study applies a geographical information system (GIS) to present the geographical distribution of hospitals in Taipei. Additionally, a new-type of cluster analysis, known as hierarchical grey relation clustering analysis, is used to analyze the distribution of hospitals and understand how they compete with one another. The analytical results demonstrate that hierarchical grey relation clustering analysis is a suitable method of analyzing geographical position. Tree diagrams can help policymakers make appropriate classification decisions without re-computation. The study results can inform hospitals of their competitors and help them to develop appropriate responses. Additionally, the analytical results can also provide a reference to government or hospital policymakers to help them position hospitals in areas, thus achieving a better distribution of medical resources in Taipei.     

Part II of the Special Issue on 3rd International Conference on Engineering and Technology Innovation (ICETI 2014), held in Kenting,Taiwan Oct 31–Nov 2, 2014

Microsystem Technologies -     

Embedding of any type of data in images based on a human visual model and multiple-based number conversion

A novel approach to embedding any type of digital data into a cover image is proposed, which utilizes a human visual model to guarantee that the modification of the cover image is imperceptible. A quantized contrast function based on the model is constructed first. The gray values of each 3×3 sub-image of the cover image are used to compute, using the function, a range of gray levels with the same contrast as that of the central pixel of the sub-image. The embedding process proceeds by replacing the gray value of the central pixel by one of the values in the range. This guarantees that the changes be imperceptible. The data to be embedded is treated as a binary stream and is partitioned into a number of sub-streams. A multiple-base number conversion mechanism is used to convert each sub-stream of data into values which are then embedded in the central pixels of sub-images. The embedded data can be extracted out from the resulting stego-image without referencing the original image. Experimental results show that the proposed method is feasible.     

New amphiphilic fluorescent CBABC-type pentablock copolymers containing pyrene group by two-step atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and its self-assembled aggregation

A series of novel amphiphilic fluorescent CBABC-type pentablock copolymers (Py-PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA-Py) were prepared from BAB-type amphiphilic triblock copolymer (PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA) as macroinitiator with various contents of 1-(methacryloyloxyethylamino-carboxylmethyl) pyrene (PyMOI) by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in toluene using CuBr/2,2-bipyridine as catalyst system. Triblock copolymer (PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA) was prepared by ATRP and obtained from Br-PEG4600-Br as macroinitiator with methyl methacrylate in tetrahydrofuran using the same catalyst. The molecular weights of pentablock copolymers which were reinitiated by PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA macroinitiator were calculated from ¹H NMR spectra up to 42,400 gmol⁻¹. The polydispersity of pentablock copolymers obtained from GPC analysis was narrow between 1.10 and 1.38. The crystallinity of triblock copolymer (PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA) was decreased slightly with incorporating PMMA segment. Introducing the bulky pyrene substituent into pentablock copolymer, the melting temperature was not observed and all pentablock copolymers showed amorphous patterns in wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) due to decrease in the degree of crystallinity of polymer chain because of disturbing regular packing. The temperatures at 10% weight loss (Td₁₀), examined by TG analysis, showed values ranging from 265 to 323 °C in nitrogen and 264 to 313 °C in air. Fluorescence spectra of Py-PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA-Py exhibited stronger excimer emission at ca. 480 nm due to the aggregations of pyrene group formed via interaction of the hydrophobic chains. The more content of PyMOI segment in pentablock copolymers can obtain the higher emission intensity ca. 480 nm. When there were higher PyMOI contents (84.9 wt% PyMOI) in pentablock copolymers, they formed larger aggregates (210 nm) in SEM micrographs. On the other hand, while increasing the concentration of the polymer solution in THF, the morphology was changed from spherical (0.1 mg/mL) to chainlike (1.0 mg/mL) aggregates.     

Synthesis and characterization of new soluble cardo poly(amide-imide)s derived from 2,2-bis[4-(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)phenyl]norbornane

A series of new soluble poly(amide-imide)s were prepared from the diimide-dicarboxylic acid, 2,2-bis[4-(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)phenyl]norbornane, and various diamines by the direct polycondensation in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone containing CaCl_2, using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. All the polymers were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities of 1.01-1.42 dL g⁻¹. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of the polymers showed number-average and weight-average molecular weight up to 67,300 and 118,000, respectively. The poly(amide-imide)s were amorphous and were readily soluble in various solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), pyridine, cyclohexanone and tetrahydrofuran. Tough and flexible films were obtained by casting their DMAc solution. The films had tensile strength of 89-110 MPa and a tensile modulus range of 1.8-2.2 GPa. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers were determined by DSC method and they were in the range of 265-295 °C. The polymers were fairly stable up to a temperature around or above 450 °C, and lose 10% weight in the range of 472-504 °C and 490-520 °C in nitrogen and air, respectively.     

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE CONTACT STRESSES AND RESIDUAL BEARING STRENGTH OF PIN-LOADED COMPOSITE LAMINATES

Abstract

Contact stresses and residual bearing strength of pin-loaded composite laminates at different temperatures are investigated. An incremental finite element code, based on the updated Lagrangian approach, was developed for determining the contact stresses near a pin-loaded hole in composite laminates under combined thermal and mechanical loadings. Based on the progressive damage model, the quadratic strength theory combined with a proposed failure simulation are adopted for failure predictions. In the stress and strength analyses, mechanical properties of the laminates are assumed to be temperature dependent. Numerical results include the distributions of initial (thermal) as well as total contact stress around the pin-loaded hole, residual bearing strength, and failure mode for a single-fastener clearance-fit joint with an elastic pin. The bearing strain model test has been performed at elevated temperature for the verification of present calculations.     

Synthesis of highly transparent ultrananocrystalline diamond films from a low-pressure,low-temperature focused microwave plasma jet

This paper describes a new low-temperature process underlying the synthesis of highly transparent ultrananocrystalline diamond [UNCD] films by low-pressure and unheated microwave plasma jet-enhanced chemical vapor deposition with Ar-1%CH₄-10%H₂ gas chemistry. The unique low-pressure/low-temperature [LPLT] plasma jet-enhanced growth even with added H₂ and unheated substrates yields UNCD films similar to those prepared by plasma-enhanced growth without addition of H₂ and heating procedure. This is due to the focused plasma jet which effectively compensated for the sluggish kinetics associated with LPLT growth. The effects of pressure on UNCD film synthesis from the microwave plasma jet were systematically investigated. The results indicated that the substrate temperature, grain size, surface roughness, and sp ³ carbon content in the films decreased with decreasing pressure. The reason is due to the great reduction of H _α emission to lower the etching of sp ² carbon phase, resulting from the increase of mean free path with decreasing pressure. We have demonstrated that the transition from nanocrystalline (80 nm) to ultrananocrystalline (3 to 5 nm) diamond films grown via microwave Ar-1%CH₄-10%H₂ plasma jets could be controlled by changing the pressure from 100 to 30 Torr. The 250-nm-thick UNCD film was synthesized on glass substrates (glass transition temperature [T _g] 557°C) using the unique LPLT (30 Torr/460°C) microwave plasma jet, which produced UNCD films with a high sp ³ carbon content (95.65%) and offered high optical transmittance (approximately 86% at 700 nm).