A model for evaluation and administration of security inobject-oriented databases

The integration of object-oriented programming concepts with databases is one of the most significant advances in the evolution of database systems. Many aspects of such a combination have been studied, but there are few models to provide security for this richly structured information. We develop an authorization model for object-oriented databases. This model consists of a set of policies, a structure for authorization rules, and algorithms to evaluate access requests against the authorization rules. User access policies are based on the concept of inherited authorization applied along the class structure hierarchy. We propose also a set of administrative policies that allow the control of user access and its decentralization. Finally, we study the effect of class structuring changes on authorization     

A new monitoring system for piping systems in fossil fired power plants

A CEC-funded project has been performed to tackle the problem of producing an advanced Life Monitoring System (LMS) which would calculate the creep and fatigue damage experienced by high temperature pipework components. Four areas were identified where existing Life Monitoring System technology could be improved:

1. 1. the inclusion of creep relaxation

2. 2. the inclusion of external loads on components

3. 3. a more accurate method of calculating thermal stresses due to temperature transients

4. 4. the inclusion of high cycle fatigue terms.

The creep relaxation problem was solved using stress reduction factors in an analytical in-elastic stress calculation. The stress reduction factors were produced for a number of common geometries and materials by means of non-linear finite element analysis. External loads were catered for by producing influence coefficients from in-elastic analysis of the particular piping system and using them to calculate bending moments at critical positions on the pipework from load and displacement measurements made at the convenient points at the pipework. The thermal stress problem was solved by producing a completely new solution based on Green's Function and Fast Fourier transforms. This allowed the thermal stress in a complex component to be calculated from simple non-intrusive thermocouple measurements made on the outside of the component. The high-cycle fatigue problem was dealt with precalculating the fatigue damage associated with standard transients and adding this damage to cumulative total when a transient occurred.

The site testing provided good practical experience and showed up problems which would not otherwise have been detected.     

Lorazepam-valproate interaction: studies in normal subjects and isolated perfused rat liver

Valproate (VPA) has been shown to interact with all the major antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) through two mechanisms of action: displacement from albumin binding sites and inhibition of drug metabolism. More recently, evidence showed that VPA inhibits the elimination of drugs metabolized by glucuronide conjugation. Lorazepam (LZP), which is primarily eliminated by conjugation with glucuronic acid, is administered concurrently with VPA both in treatment of epilepsy and in patients treated with VPA for psychiatric disorders. Therefore, a significant drug interaction is likely. We investigated such interaction both in in vitro isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) and in normal subjects. LZP [2 mg, intravenous (i.v.) bolus] was administered to 8 normal volunteers before and after chronic dosing with VPA. In 6 of 8 subjects, VPA significantly decreased LZP plasma clearance by an average of 40% (p < 0.05) and increased LZP concentrations by decreasing formation clearance of the LZP glucuronide. In the IPRL studies, VPA also significantly decreased formation of LZP glucuronide (from 0.72 +/- 0.14 to 0.22 +/- 0.15 ml/h/kg, p < 0.05), indicating that IPRL is a useful tool for evaluation of the effect of VPA on drugs eliminated by glucuronide conjugation.     

Wooden sticks as the source of a pseudoepidemic of infection with Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis among immunocompromised patients

Wooden sticks used to suspend feces obtained for surveillance cultures were found to be the source of Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis causing a pseudo-outbreak among 17 immunocompromised patients cared for in three different wards. Nonsterile wooden products should therefore not be used for collecting, handling, and processing specimens for microbiological examination.     

Treatment of the sequelae of enucleation by septal chondro-mucosal composite graft. Report of 21 cases]

Enucleation frequently and progressively causes an enophtalmus and atrophia of the inferior eyelid, thereby leading to a height deficiency. Buccal mucous grafts give rise to phenomena such as secondary retraction. This may have complex and painful post-operative outcomes. However, when a septal chondromucous graft is performed, the height in the inferior palpebral part becomes more aesthetic, more retentive and quickly allows the wearing of a more voluminous prosthesis. Thus, the notinable enophtalmus can be corrected and the aesthetic quality of the looking is substantially restored. The authors report this surgical procedure and the results obtained with 21 patients which appear to be particularly promising.     

Taste receptor response to sodium chloride and natriuresis in the workers and employees of an industrial enterprise

Studied in the course of one-stage epidemiologic survey of 1191 individuals were the threshold of gustatory sensitivity to table salt and nycterine natriuresis, relation of these indices to dietary habits, some risk factors for cardiovascular disorders and clinical parameters. Differing relations were established between gustatory sensitivity to table salt and natriuresis and age and gender of the examinees, the level of blood pressure, aggravated heredity in respect of arterial hypertension, smoking and alcohol abuse, this enabling one to embark upon a differential approach to dietetic correction of salt consumption.