The antenna system of a distress buoy for use in a maritime satellite communication system (MARSAT)

Two different types of antenna systems for a distress buoy for use in the maritime satellite communication system (MARSAT) are described. The buoy radiates signals alternately on the frequencies 2182 kHz (medium frequency (MF) beacon) and 1.65 GHz (Lband beacon). TheLband antennas had to be combined with the MF antenna of a commercial buoy. The antenna systems have been tested with success during the application technology satellite (ATS-6) experiments and during a previous European Space Research Organization (ESRO) balloon communication experiment [1].     

Isolation of proteins with complex forming agents]

Taking vegetable albumins for models, the authors report of the possibilities of isolating proteins (which cannot be precipitated isoelectrically) by using their property of forming complexes with tannin or poly-anions. The precipitation of proteins with dextran sulphate or polyphosphates, which is due to electrostatic interaction, depends on the pH value and the electrolyte content of the solution. Under appropriate experimental conditions, protein yields of 100% are achieved. By means of tannin, the proteins are completely precipitated in a wide range of pH. The protein component of the poly-anion-containing complexes is isolated by precipitation with salt or by thermal coagulation after dissolving of the complexes. The isolation of protein from the tannin complexes is preferably realized by reaction with coffeine.     

Signal processing for through-the-earth electromagnetic systems

The deep-mine application of electromagnetic location systems requires the use of extremely low frequency transmissions. The associated higher noise levels and lower signal levels necessitate the incorporation of nonlinear processing and adaptive noise cancellation. A demodulator with nonlinear processing is implemented by placing an adaptive clipper inside a signal-cancelling feedback loop. Adaptive noise cancellation is applied to the narrowband demodulator outputs. Its weighting matrix is determined by the direct-matrix inversion algorithm with iterative estimation of the signal vector and cross-correlation matrix. The signal processing system is tested with both simulated and recorded extremely low frequency noise     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of metastatic malignant melanoma with "rhabdoid" features. Frequency, cytologic features, pitfalls and ancillary studies

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the cytopathology of metastatic malignant melanoma (MM) with "rhabdoid" features, a recently described, rare morphologic variant of MM that can be incorrectly diagnosed in fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of all FNA biopsy material with the diagnosis of metastatic MM was performed at two institutions. Only cases with a predominant composition of cells that met criteria defined as "rhabdoid" morphology were selected for study. The cytomorphologic features, immunocytochemistry and clinical features of these cases were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 88 FNA cases previously diagnosed as metastatic MM, 4 (4.6%) had a predominance of cells with rhabdoid features. These cases consisted of scattered atypical cells having enlarged, eccentrically placed nuclei; prominent nucleoli; and a moderate amount of cytoplasm possessing round, globular inclusions in Papanicolaou- and Diff-Quik-stained smears. Immunochemistry showed strong S-100, HMB-45 and vimentin staining in two of four cases. CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic MM may present in FNA biopsy as a poorly differentiated malignancy with rhabdoid features, potentially leading to an incorrect cytologic diagnosis. MM must be considered when evaluating neoplasms with a rhabdoid phenotype. Correlation of the cytologic finding with the clinical history and immunohistochemical studies can help in diagnosing this morphologic variant.     

Participatory ergonomics: Understanding the contributions of reflection groups in a hospital food service

Aim

To identify how the methodology of Reflection Groups (RG) can contribute to approach social-psychological problems, so often observed as obstacles in PE efforts. The objective was also to verify the contributions from RG to the implementation of ergonomics recommendations, which were a starting point and organized group discussions.

Method

A concrete case was used as an illustration, and studied in depth: RG with administration and production workers’ representatives from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of a cardiologic hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. RG are temporary thinking groups, taking place outside the workplace and having delegative and consultive participation. They make use of Operative Groups, an adapted form of tripartite group, activity as an instrumental resource, group dynamic techniques and videotaping. In 2007, 31 meetings took place during paid working hours with 7 groups of different composition, ranging from 1.5 h to 3 h.

Results

Additionally to the positive effects in communication and psychosocial environment, RG could also contribute to changes in interpersonal relationships, cooperation, personal and work behaviours. By dealing with aspects which could hinder the explicit task: fears, conflicts, and stereotyped beliefs and behaviours; resistance to change could be broken and group members could learn. RG allowed input about new risks; continuous information and feedback about ongoing ergonomics interventions so that immediate corrective action could be taken. The main form of participation was in administrative, organizational, and psychosocial problems which required a better clarification and identification of their real causes, commitment, and elaboration of strategies and negotiation of different stakeholders in their solution.

Conclusion

RG takes advantage of homogeneous and heterogeneous groups, in face to face communication. The interactions in the groups are task-oriented (explicit task) but attaining groups’ goals depends on a relational interaction (implicit task).

Relevance to industry

Reflection groups can bring important contributions to ergonomics and industry because they favour the discussion, disclosure of problems and incorporation of solutions, enabling interventions in working organization, psychosocial environment and relationships in a collective and participatory approach, promoting health and social integration.     

Constructed inshore zones as river corridors through urban areas—The Danube in Vienna: preliminary results

Over the last 125 years, river regulation has considerably changed the ecological conditions of the Austrian Danube and its floodplains such that the system is now very fragmented. Within the municipal area of Vienna, these changes have been particularly severe: river embankments and a bypass channel (the ‘New Danube’), separated from the main river by an artificial island (‘Danube Island’), are the key elements of flood control, and river levels are controlled by the Vienna hydroelectric power plant (‘Freudenau’). During construction of the hydroelectric power plant, the previously straight shoreline of the 21‐km long Danube island, with its steep embankments, was restructured by creating shallow water areas, gravel banks, small permanent backwaters and temporary waters. This paper describes the scheme and the results from the first year of a 4‐year monitoring programme (‘Danube Island Monitoring Programme’, DIMP) investigating the colonization and successional processes of these areas by monitoring relevant indicator groups (vegetation, dragonflies, amphibians, reptiles, waterfowl). Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flavonols and flavones of parsley cell suspension culture change the antioxidative capacity of plasma in rats

The flavonoid aglycones from an illuminated parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym.) cell suspension culture were identified and quantified as the flavones apigenin, luteolin and chrysoeriol and the flavonols kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin. Flavonoid extracts from these cultures were purified by solid phase extraction from RP C-18 phase and given by gavage to rats. Only extract from illuminated culture increased the antioxidative capacity (AOC) of blood plasma temporarily with maximum values after 1 h. It is concluded that the course of AOC reflects changes in the plasma content of flavonoids.     

Toughness profile in injection-molded polypropylene: The effect of the β-modification

Fracture toughness characterized by the J-integral method has been evaluated along injection-molded bars of isotactic polypropylene. A significant increase in toughness with decreasing distance from the specimen gate has been observed with maximum steepness of the dependence in the central part of the specimen length. Parallel analysis of wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns has shown a similar dependence of the crystalline β-phase concentration. It is suggested that polypropylene with β-crystallites has better structural continuity in the amorphous phase and, consequently, higher inherent ductility and superior macroscopic toughness than the related material containing only α-crystallites. Consequences of β-phase gradients for practical toughness testing are also discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 2255–2259, 1998