Quality approach for multi-parametric data fusion

Data fusion has gained widespread use in different areas of measurement in the last years, mainly where the sought output of an analysis cannot be measured directly—medical imaging, non-destructive testing, remote sensing, etc. The process of data fusion as such is not characterized today by any quality characteristics, which makes it impossible to estimate the effectiveness and reliability of the fused data. The authors propose a new approach to the process, free of this drawback. The introduced term of relevant information, with allowance for the first- and second-kind errors and their corresponding penalties, allows application of the Taguchi methodology via the loss function. The presented information scale, with the data-fusion types classified according to the information volume, ensures effectiveness of the planned process. The proposed approach is illustrated in examples of application.     

Inhibitory processes in adults with persistent childhood onset ADHD.

The theory that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) stems from a deficit in an executive behavioral inhibition process has been little studied in adults, where the validity of ADHD is in debate. This study examined, in high-functioning young adults with persistent ADHD and a control group, 2 leading measures of inhibitory control: the antisaccade task and the negative priming task. ADHD adults showed weakened ability to effortfully stop a reflexive or anticipated oculomotor response but had normal ability to automatically suppress irrelevant information. Results suggest that an inhibitory deficit in ADHD is confined to effortful inhibition of motor response, that antisaccade and negative priming tasks index distinct inhibition systems, and that persistence of ADHD symptoms into adulthood is associated with persistence of executive motor inhibition deficits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bone regeneration with glass ceramic implants and calcium phosphate cements in a rabbit cranial defect model

Hydroxyapatite cement (BoneSource®) and brushite calcium phosphate cement (chronOS? Inject) were tested for fixation of glass ceramic implants (Bioverit®) in experimentally created cranial defects in 24 adult New Zealand White rabbits. Aim of the in vivo study was to assess and compare the biocompatibility and osseointegration of the implanted materials. Macroscopic and histological evaluations were performed 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. All implanted materials were well tolerated by the surrounding tissue. Both bone cements exhibited osteoconductive properties. Differences could be detected regarding to the rates of cement resorption and new bone formation. The brushite cement was resorbed faster than the hydroxyapatite cement. The chronOS? Inject samples exhibited a higher rate of connective tissue formation and an insufficient osseointegration. BoneSource® was replaced by bone with minimal invasion of connective tissue. New bone formation occurred faster compared to the chronOS? Inject group. Bioverit® implants fixed with BoneSource® were successfully osseointegrated.     

Distributed energy efficiency in future home environments

In this paper, a new architecture for sharing resources among home environments is proposed. Our approach goes far beyond traditional systems for distributed virtualization, like PlanetLab or grid computing, as it relies on complete decentralization in a peer-to-peer (P2P) like manner and, above all, aims at energy efficiency. Energy metrics are defined, which have to be optimized by the system. The system itself uses virtualization to transparently move tasks from one home to another to optimally utilize the existing computing power. We present an overview of our proposed architecture, consisting of a middleware interconnecting computers and routers in possibly millions of homes using P2P techniques. For demonstrating the potential energy saving of distributed applications, we present an analytical model for sharing downloads, which is verified by discrete event simulation. The model represents an optimistic case without P2P overhead and fairness. The model allows to assess the upper limit of the saving potential. An enhanced version of the simulation model also shows the effect of fairness. The fairer the system gets, the less efficient it is.     

Efficient stabilization of bulk fish oil rich in long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

The aim of the present study was to systematically investigate the possibilities of stabilizing a bulk oil rich in long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids under ambient conditions. Combinations of different antioxidants (α‐, γ‐ and/or δ‐tocopherol, rosmarinic acid and rosemary extract rich in carnosic acid) as well as lecithin and citric acid were systematically investigated. Efficient stabilization was achieved by choosing a combination of tocopherols rich in γ‐ or δ‐tocopherol and low in α‐tocopherol, by including tocopherol‐sparing synergists like ascorbyl palmitate and carnosic acid from rosemary extract and metal‐chelating agents. For carnosic acid, a concentration of 400 mg/kg oil provides sufficient protection; the concentration of the metal chelator should be adapted to the concentration of metal ions present in the oil. As an alternative ingredient with metal‐chelating and tocopherol‐sparing activity, lecithin may be included in the formulation, but its poor solubility in bulk oils limits its use.     

Cui bono? — Ziele und Inhalte eines Datenschutz-Zertifikats

Um ein Datenschutz-Zertifikat zur Best?tigung eines hohen Datenschutz-Niveaus erfolgreich zu etablieren, müssen die Randbedingungen stimmen. Ausgehend vom Informationsbedarf m?glicher Zielgruppen an ein solches Zertifikat begründet der Beitrag die Datenschutzorganisation als Prüfgegenstand und stellt die aus der Sicht der Autoren wichtigsten Inhalte der Prüfung vor.     

Chitosan functionalized with 2[-bis-(pyridylmethyl) aminomethyl]4-methyl-6-formyl-phenol: equilibrium and kinetics of copper (II) adsorption

The complexation agent 2[-bis-(pyridylmethyl) aminomethyl]-4-methyl-6-formyl-phenol (HL) was immobilized in chitosan in order to obtain a new adsorbent material to be employed in studies on adsorption and pre-concentration of Cu(II). The chitosan modified by the complexation agent was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, DSC and TGA. The studies were conducted as a function of the pH of the medium and the mechanism of Cu(II) adsorption in the solid phase was analyzed utilizing several kinetic models. The parameters for the adsorption of Cu(II) ions by chitosan-HL were determined with a Langmuir isotherm, the maximum saturation capacity of the monolayer being 109.4 mg of Cu(II) per gram of polymer. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed that Cu^II ions coordinate to the donor atoms of the HL ligand anchored to the surface of the polymer forming a stable chelate complex in the solid state.     

The influence of wine additives on colour and colour quality of young red wine

Summary Zweigelt 1987, a typical Austrian wine treated with wine additives such as sulphur dioxide,l-ascorbic acid and sorbic acid was stored for 77 days. All characteristic wine components were analysed during the storage period. Only changes in colour could be detected. The changes in the amount of anthocyanins and anthocyanidin chlorides were analysed. The results show that Zweigelt 1987 mixed with wine additives such asl-ascorbic acid or sorbic acid resulted in a larger loss in colour than untreated wine. The changes could be measured photometrically but they were invisible to the naked eye. Appropriate use of wine additives did not appear to deterioriate the ruby colour of young red wine during the period tested.

---

Der Einfluß von Wein-Zusatzstoffen auf Farbe und Farbqualität von jungem Rotwein

Zusammenfassung Österreichischer Wein Zweigelt 1987, welcher für die Versuchsreihe unter authentischen Bedingungen hergestellt worden war, wurde mit Weinbehandlungsmitteln wie Schwefeldioxid, Sorbinsäure undl-Ascorbinsäure versetzt. Die Wechselwirkungen der Farbe des Rotweines mit den zugesetzten Chemikalien wurden während einer Lagerzeit von 77 Tagen studiert. Die Anthocyane und Anthocyanidinchloridmengen wurden bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß Zweigelt 1987, der mitl-Ascorbinsäure bzw. Sorbinsäure versetzt worden war, etwas größere Farbverluste zeigte als unbehandelter Wein. Abschließend wurde festgestellt, daß die Farbveränderungen zwar photometrisch meßbar sind, aber mit freiem Auge nicht erkannt werden. Eine Verwendung dieser Weinbehandlungsmittel in richtiger Dosierung führt zu keiner Verschlechterung der Farbqualität bei jungem Rotwein über den untersuchten Zeitraum.

     

Immunological Response to Biodegradable Magnesium Implants

The use of biodegradable magnesium implants in pediatric trauma surgery would render surgical interventions for implant removal after tissue healing unnecessary, thereby preventing stress to the children and reducing therapy costs. In this study, we report on the immunological response to biodegradable magnesium implants—as an important aspect in evaluating biocompatibility—tested in a growing rat model. The focus of this study was to investigate the response of the innate immune system to either fast or slow degrading magnesium pins, which were implanted into the femoral bones of 5-week-old rats. The main alloying element of the fast-degrading alloy (ZX50) was Zn, while it was Y in the slow-degrading implant (WZ21). Our results demonstrate that degrading magnesium implants beneficially influence the immune system, especially in the first postoperative weeks but also during tissue healing and early bone remodeling. However, rodents with WZ21 pins showed a slightly decreased phagocytic ability during bone remodeling when the degradation rate reached its maximum. This may be due to the high release rate of the rare earth-element yttrium, which is potentially toxic. From our results we conclude that magnesium implants have a beneficial effect on the innate immune system but that there are some concerns regarding the use of yttrium-alloyed magnesium implants, especially in pediatric patients.     

DEVAN: a tool for detailed video analysis of user test data

A tool was developed for structured and detailed analysis of video data from user tests of interactive systems. It makes use of a table format for representing an interaction at multiple levels of abstraction. Interactions are segmented based on threshold times for pauses between actions. Usability problems are found using a list of observable indications for the occurrence of problems. The tool was evaluated by having two analysts apply it to three data sets from user tests on two different products. The segmentation technique proved to yield meaningful segments that helped in understanding the interaction. The interaction table was explicit enough to discuss in detail what had caused the differences in the analysts' lists of usability problems. The results suggested that the majority of differences were caused by unavoidable differences in interpretations of subjects' behaviour and that only minor improvements should be expected by refining the tool.