Intellectual support in the structuring of batch within an arc furnace

A structure is proposed for the automated system used in batch preparation for arc furnaces at steel plants. Structural and set-theory analysis of such automated systems is employed. The introduction of the new automated control system eliminates the deficiencies of the traditional technology. The new system is universal and ergodic, with formalization of the decision-making process.     

Towards an automated approach for protein identification in proteome projects

The development of automated, high throughput technologies for the rapid identification of proteins is essential for large-scale proteome projects. While a degree of automation already exists in some stages of the protein identification process, such as automated acquisition of matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra, efficient interfaces between different stages are still lacking. We report the development of a highly automated, integrated system for large scale identification of proteins separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), based on peptide mass fingerprinting. A prototype robotic system was used to image and excise 288 protein spots from an amido black stained polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) blot. Protein samples were enzymatically digested with a commercial automated liquid handling system. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was used to acquire mass spectra automatically, and the data analysed with novel automated peptide mass fingerprinting database interrogation software. Using this highly automated system, we were able to identify 95 proteins on the basis of peptide mass fingerprinting, isoelectric point and molecular weight, in a period of less than ten working days. Advantages, problems, and future developments in robotic excision systems, liquid handling, and automated database interrogation software are discussed.     

Clinical evaluation of a new non-radiometric automatic system for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is again a public health problem un many countries and is considered a re-emerging disease. The fastest possible diagnosis in our patients is essential for TB control programs. ESP is a non-radioactive, totally automated, continuously monitored system designed to detect mycobacteria. METHODS: Clinical evaluation of this new system for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis. During 1997 a total of 1,022 clinical sputum specimens were investigated. Specimens were processed in triplicate for ESP, BACTEC 460 TB and L?wenstein-Jensen systems. The validity, isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and time required for detecting M. tuberculosis by the three systems were determined. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of the new systems were 98%, 99.8%, 98% and 99.8%, respectively. No significant differences were found between the recovery rates by the three systems. The mean time for detection was 10 days (range: 7-13 days) for specimens with positive bacilloscopy and 14 days (range: 10-28 days) for specimens with negative bacilloscopy. The difference was statistically significant between ESP and L?wenstein-Jensen, but not between ESP and BACTEC. CONCLUSIONS: The new system proved to have an excellent sensitivity and specificity, which along with its total automation renders it a system of great clinical interest for the rapid diagnosis of TB and an alternative method for radiometric systems.     

Ongoing physical activity advice by humans versus computers: The Community Health Advice by Telephone (CHAT) Trial.

Purpose: Given the prevalence of physical inactivity among American adults, convenient, low-cost interventions are strongly indicated. This study determined the 6- and 12-month effectiveness of telephone interventions delivered by health educators or by an automated computer system in promoting physical activity. Design: Initially inactive men and women age 55 years and older (N = 218) in stable health participated. Participants were randomly assigned to human advice, automated advice, or health education control. Measures: The validated 7-day physical activity recall interview was used to estimate minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Physical activity differences by experimental arm were verified on a random subsample via accelerometry. Results: Using intention-to-treat analysis, at 6 months, participants in both interventions, although not differing from one another, showed significant improvements in weekly physical activity compared with controls. These differences were generally maintained at 12 months, with both intervention arms remaining above the target of 150 min per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity on average. Conclusion: Automated telephone-linked delivery systems represent an effective alternative for delivering physical activity advice to inactive older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An RCC1-type guanidine exchange factor for the Ran G protein is found in the Plasmodium falciparum nucleus

The cervical cytologic screening test for cervical cancer is the largest-volume cancer screening test currently conducted predominantly without the advantage of process automation. Much attention has been directed toward commercial application of automated technology to support both quality enhancement and productivity gain in cervical cytology screening. Several systems are now available for clinical application that address various aspects of cervical cytologic screening automation. These include specimen-preparation devices and image-based automated screeners. Each system provides a different mix of benefits and impacts cost differently as well. This, coupled with the fact that few systems are in broad clinical use as yet, makes it difficult to conduct parallel cost-benefit analysis. A comparison is presented on the impact of system use on the laboratory's cost to conduct the test. Although there is a demand for technology that can support improvements in quality and/or productivity of cervical cytologic screening, there is also a responsibility for fiscal prudence in technology implementation. Products that dramatically increase the cost of service, and thus perhaps limit access to care for some patients, may have an impact on patient outcomes quite apart from that intended.     

切屑分类收集自动化物流系统概述

切屑分类收集自动化物流系统是针对目前大型机械制造车间产屑量大、自动化程度低且不易分类而设计的全自动化物流输送系统,以某重型机械加工车间切屑分类收集自动化物流系统为例,简单介绍其组成及控制方式,给出了方便简洁的、全自动化的切屑分类收集系统模式,为相关企业技术改造提供参考。     

Clinical quality measurement. Comparing chart review and automated methodologies

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the use of data from automated systems within a large managed care plan to create indicators of clinical quality. METHODS: Measures from the first year of Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set, HEDIS 2.0, are used to compare chart review and automated analysis methodologies. The contributions of various data systems in creating clinical quality measures are evaluated. RESULTS: Chart review data usually are better for creating clinical quality indicators, although the level of agreement between the two methodologies often is quite high. Computerized patient record systems are found to be the most reliable automated data source, and automated claims are found to be the least reliable. This study's findings suggest that automated encounter systems may provide relatively reliable data. CONCLUSIONS: Managed care plans may not want to rely on automated data alone for clinical quality measurement. The results reported here support the use of combined methodologies such as the "hybrid" method, which utilizes both automated and chart-review data.     

Neuro-Fuzzy Approaches for Sanitary Sewer Pipeline Condition Assessment

Recent advances in optical sensors and computing technologies have led to the development of inspection systems for underground facilities such as water lines, sewer pipes, and telecommunication conduits. It is now possible for inspection technologies that require no human entry into underground structures to be fully automated, from data acquisition to data analysis, and eventually to condition assessment. This paper describes the development of an automated data interpretation system for sanitary sewer pipelines. The interpretation system obtains optical data from the Sewer Scanner and Evaluation Technology (SSET), which is known to be the current leading-edge technology in inspecting sanitary sewer pipelines. The proposed system utilizes artificial neural networks to recognize various types of defects in sanitary sewer pipelines. The framework of this system includes modification of digital images for preprocessing, image feature segmentation, utilization of multiple neural networks for feature pattern recognition, and the fusion of multiple neural networks via the use of fuzzy logic systems.     

Biosensors in flow-injection systems for biomedical analysis, process and environmental monitoring

This paper presents the construction of various biosensors using thin-film layers incorporated in flow injection devices, providing automated systems for biomedical analysis, process and environmental monitoring. A urease sensor has been developed in conjunction with a flow injection system for the automatic determination of urea. Use of the spraying immobilization technique gives rise to a response time of a few seconds, which allows sample throughputs up to 200 h-1. With a penicillin biosensor adapted in an appropriate cell detection, on-line measurements of penicillin V in the fermentation broth are achieved during the whole fermentation process; the results are compared with the HPLC method. Linearity, sensitivity and reproducibility of the biosensor are studied with regards to sample dilution in a stirred flow detection cell to provide optimal operating conditions. Measurements without any change in parameters are obtained during the whole fermentation process. Acetylcholinesterase sensors have been used in batch systems for the determination of pesticides, but they require large amounts of substrate. When those enzyme sensors are combined with flow injection systems, only small volumes (100 microliters) of substrate are injected into the carrier stream and an automated system can be obtained for continuous control of water quality.     

Automation of psychological testing.

Programed the WAIS for automated administration to illustrate the usefulness of automated systems in providing psychological testing service to patients. The system can automatically administer the Block Design, Picture Arrangement, and Object Assembly subtests, measure the time each test item requires, and print out the seconds on a teletype machine. 35 male and female Ss were tested in a counterbalanced order on the 3 subtests under face-to-face testing procedures, and automated testing. Results indicate a high correlation in the scores obtained in the 2 methods. A higher mean Performance IQ was obtained with face-to-face testing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sensor Network for Structural Health Monitoring of a Highway Bridge

A bridge monitoring TestBed is developed as a research environment for sensor networks and related decision-support technologies. A continuous monitoring system, capable of handling a large number of sensor data channels and three video signals, is deployed on a four-span, 90-m long, reinforced concrete highway bridge. Of interest is the integration of the image and sensor data acquisition into a single computer, thereby providing accurate time synchronization between the response and corresponding traffic loads. Currently, video and acceleration records corresponding to traffic induced vibration are being recorded. All systems operate online via a high-speed wireless Internet network, allowing real-time data transmission. Elements of the above health monitoring framework are presented herein. Integration of these elements into an automated functional system is emphasized. The recorded data are currently being employed for structural system identification via a model-free technique. Effort is also underway to correlate the moving traffic loads with the recorded accelerations. Finally, the TestBed is available as a resource for verification of new sensor technologies, data acquisition/transmission algorithms, data mining strategies, and for decision-support applications.     

Ultrasound monitoring of rolled bar in the Volna-7 automated system

Operational experience with the Volna-7 automated system in ultrasound monitoring of forgings (diameter 80–190 mm; length 4–12 m) is reported. Standard and adjustment samples used in monitoring internal and external defects are presented. The monitoring procedure employed in multichannel systems with electromagnetic-acoustic converters is reviewed. The factors affecting the reliability of monitoring are analyzed and optimized.     

A community health report card: comprehensive assessment for tracking community health (CATCH)

A systematic method for assessing the health status of communities has been under development at the University of South Florida since 1991. The system, known as CATCH, draws 226 indicators from multiple sources and uses an innovative comparative framework and weighted evaluation criteria to produce a rank-ordered community problem list. The CATCH results from II Floridian counties have focused attention on high priority health problems and provided a framework for measuring the impact of health expenditures on community health status outcomes. The method and plans to create an automated data warehouse to support its expansion and enrichment are described.     

Automated multiple peptide synthesis: improvements in obtaining quality peptides

Production of multiple overlapping peptides is a key step in the identification of T-cell epitopes. A large number of peptides can be produced by using ABIMED's automated multiple peptide synthesizer. We report here considerable improvement in the software and chemistry of peptide synthesis by introducing a resin mixing step during coupling, when using this synthesizer. A comparison of two solvent systems for synthesis was performed. Six test peptides were synthesized by standard and modified methods. The purity of peptides, assessed by HPLC and mass spectrometry, showed a substantial improvement when automated resin mixing and mixed solvent system were used. These improvements enable us to produce 48 peptides within a week each of sufficient purity to be used for rapid screening of T-cell epitopes.     

African trypanosome infections in mice that lack the interferon-gamma receptor gene: nitric oxide-dependent and -independent suppression of T-cell proliferative responses and the development of anaemia

This paper presents an analysis of the main policy and organisational issues confronting dental health systems in Japan and Australia. Using the changes in the epidemiology of dental disease (the oral disease which still affects much of public dental health planning) as evidence of fundamental differences in the dental health systems of the two countries, the analysis seeks to illuminate, first, the structures and processes in both nations to review and implement changes to educational practices and workforce planning and, second, the constraints on each nation's capability to respond quickly and appropriately to the changing dental health needs. It is argued that Japan's ability to rapidly change its oral health outcomes, its dental educational system and its traditional workforce structure and service-mix, is more constrained than appears to be the case in the Australian dental system. The major barriers to Japan's ability to change appear to lie in both its traditional cultural decision-making processes and in a series of specific health and educational structures which place high reliance on a private educational system for health providers, a national insurance system which rewards treatment under a fee-for-service reimbursement scheme and the lack of a formal, transparent, infra-structure for planning health priorities. Barriers to Australia achieving culturally appropriate oral health outcomes for the next century appear more related to whether national unity in goal setting and implementation strategies can be achieved. The constraints in Australia are related to its federal system and to the low priority given to financing public dental services.     

Damping of vibrations in the primary drives of cold-rolling mills

Simulation of the primary drive in a cold-rolling mill permits the development of electromagnetic damping of loading and torsional vibrations. Correction of the algorithms for the mill’s automated control systems proves effective here.     

FMS Approach to Construction Automation

The need to increase safety, productivity, quality, and resource efficiency in construction is a challenge to researchers that requires bold innovative changes. Technological adaptation of successful concepts from other industries to construction offers an important path for innovative progress. This paper provides insight into some central aspects of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) that show the greatest transferability to construction. A flexible manufacturing system is a production facility consisting of computer‐controlled machines, or work stations, connected by an automated material‐handling system, which is used to produce a variety of parts in low and medium volume. The state of the art in automated material handling and process planning is presented as a basis for construction automation, a new field of civil engineering. Ongoing research in flexible construction systems is described, and directions for future research needed to establish a knowledge base of principles relating to construction automation are outlined.     

The challenge to meet the mental health and biopsychosocial needs of the poor: expanded roles for hospital social workers in a changing healthcare environment

Despite the absence of coordinated federal health care reform, social workers in hospital settings have opportunities to identify, develop, advocate for, and facilitate access to innovative health care services, resulting in improved capacity to meet the mental health and biopsychosocial needs of the poor and, potentially, reduced hospital costs over time. There are opportunities for expanded roles for social workers in forging better linkages between hospital services and the community, developing an integrated biopsychosocial healthcare delivery system within hospitals and primary care settings, utilizing information systems as tools in an integrated system, and advocating for a client-centered approach to mental health services.     

Automated reasoning system in histopathologic diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer and its precursors

OBJECTIVE: This article presents the rationale and options offered to diagnostic and prognostic decision support systems for prostate pathology by automated reasoning capabilities. METHODS: The symbolic information used in diagnostic decision-making is systematically ordered, compared, numerically assessed in its probability, and combined such that a conclusion can be drawn. The framework for the processing of such symbolic information may be an expert system, an inference network or a case-based reasoning system. Automated reasoning is implemented by the use of a rule base and information flow control modules. RESULTS: Automated reasoning allows decision support systems to follow highly adaptive decision sequences, capable of handling contradictory evidence, exceptions in diagnostic clue expression, and nonmonotonic decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: Automated reasoning capability in diagnostic and prognostic decision support systems allows highly flexible decision development, very close to human decision procedures.