Thermal imidization optimization of polyimide thin films using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrical measurements

The influence of the imidization temperature on the molecular structure and on the thermal and electrical properties of polyimide thin films is investigated. The effects of the imidization temperature on the formation of the imide rings are studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy through the changes of the extent of imidization. However, the determination of the optimal imidization temperature shows a poor accuracy through this technique. Therefore, the quantification of several electrical properties used as probes of the imidization reaction advancement (particularly high field electrical measurements) allows obtaining a highest accuracy of the optimal imidization temperature. An optimum temperature is found at 400 °C while desimidization is observed at 450 °C. This is in good agreement with FTIR results.     

Maillard reaction kinetics in milk powder: Effect of water activity at mild temperatures

The kinetics of the Maillard reaction in skim milk powder was studied at a wide range of water activities (0.31–0.98) under storage at mildly elevated temperature conditions (37, 50 and 60 °C). The reaction rate was determined by the loss of available lysine content using the o-phthaldialdehyde method. Water activity affected the rate of loss of lysine above the glass transition temperature only at high water activity values. However, the mobility of the reactants seemed to play a role in damage to lysine, as the rate constant decreased considerably at temperatures close to the glass transition. Crystallization of lactose did not affect the rate constant values. Water activity did not influence the temperature-dependence of the reaction rate, although a significant increase in activation energy was observed in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature.     

A new Q-learning algorithm based on the metropolis criterion

The balance between exploration and exploitation is one of the key problems of action selection in Q-learning. Pure exploitation causes the agent to reach the locally optimal policies quickly, whereas excessive exploration degrades the performance of the Q-learning algorithm even if it may accelerate the learning process and allow avoiding the locally optimal policies. In this paper, finding the optimum policy in Q-learning is described as search for the optimum solution in combinatorial optimization. The Metropolis criterion of simulated annealing algorithm is introduced in order to balance exploration and exploitation of Q-learning, and the modified Q-learning algorithm based on this criterion, SA-Q-learning, is presented. Experiments show that SA-Q-learning converges more quickly than Q-learning or Boltzmann exploration, and that the search does not suffer of performance degradation due to excessive exploration.     

Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of pefloxacin in comparison with ampicillin and gentamicin in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic cirrhosis is a common, chronic disease. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a dangerous complication, which must be treated as soon as it has been diagnosed. This usually requires hospitalization of the patient and parenteral antibiotic therapy for 10 to 14 days. The present study was carried out to compare the therapeutic effects of pefloxacin with ampicillin plus gentamicin in the management of SBP. METHODOLOGY: The patients were divided into two groups at random. Group A consisted of nine patients who received parenteral ampicillin plus gentamicin. Group B consisted of thirteen patients who received pefloxacin. RESULTS: 55% of patients in group A and 100% of patients in group B responded to treatment. No major side effects were observed in either of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the benefits of oral treatment and the low incidence of side effects of pefloxacin we conclude that this regimen should be the treatment of choice for SBP patients, especially when there is a shortage of hospital beds.     

Relationship of the MMPI-168 to outcome of a pain management program at long-term follow-up.

Evaluated a shorter form of the MMPI, the MMPI-168, as a predictor of long-term outcome (6 mo to 3 yrs postdischarge) of an inpatient pain management program involving 40 chronic pain patients. Rules for both standard-scale and factor-scale interpretations correctly identified 79% of pain program "successes" and "failures." Results provide support for the MMPI-168 as a brief, useful measure of personality functioning in a physical medicine setting. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Re-appraisal of malignant melanoma diagnosis in the Swedish cancer registry

In many countries the registration of malignant melanoma of the skin shows an increased incidence; this may partially be due to an over-diagnosis. From the group of 3,268 adults and 21 children classified as suffering from malignant melanoma of the skin in the Swedish Cancer Registry between 1959-1968, a one-in-ten systematic sample survey was the object of a retrospective examination. 349 adults and 2 children had a uniform histopathological evaluation performed by one of the authors (B.L.). Slides were not available in 8 cases (2 per cent) and in the remaining 343, the diagnosis was regarded as incorrect in 13 (3.7 per cent). All these 13 cases, (2 children and 11 adults), showed no special predilection as to age, sex, location, or year of registration. In view of such a slight degree of error, the Swedish Cancer registry's melanoma group from 1959-1968 would seem suitable for further epidemiological studies.     

Benchmarking barometers for products and processes

Over recent years, benchmarking has become an established industrial, service and business practice. Many companies have extended benchmarking to benchmarking partnerships and benchmarking roundtables. In the U.S.A., benchmarking results are required to be detailed in the application for the National Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award. A benchmarking tool, Benchmarking Barometers, was developed originally for benchmarking organizations or functions. This paper presents applications of benchmarking barometers to products and processes after a brief introduction to benchmarking.