Integrated development of CFRP structures for a topless high performance vehicle

When modern saloon cars are re-engineered as convertibles (or roadsters) it is typical for them to lose 50% or more of the body’s torsional rigidity. Consequently the vehicles rarely handle quite as crisply, nor do they ride as well as the coupes from which they derived. This paper highlights the fundamental contributions of advanced composites in achieving the desired value of handling of the Murcièlago Roadster without penalizing the overall weight of the vehicle. To compensate for the absence of the roof structure, the vehicle was strongly redesigned by introducing new structural members and reinforcing existing critical components. A new all-carbon/epoxy composite sub-frame, which spans the entire engine bay, is comprised of elliptical tubular members, and it is the first of its kind in a production vehicle. Engineering of the sub-frame, from preliminary design to manufacturing decisions, is the focus of this paper, and is achieved through a Building Block approach that sets the program within the Integrated Product Development (IPD) strategy that the Advanced Composites Division of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. employs for its technology demonstrators. The strategy consists in a concurrent analytical and experimental development of the product, from the initial conceptual design and coupon testing, through the stages of element and subcomponent engineering, to final component manufacturing.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Blends Formed by Polymeric Crown Ethers and a Fullerene-Containing Primary Ammonium Salt in Organic Thin Films

The synthesis of a series of polymers and cyclopolymers bearing crown ethers of differing structure and affinities towards primary ammonium ions is discussed. These polymers have been tested in their efficiency to form structurally homogeneous thin films when blended with an amphiphilic C₆₀ compound containing a primary ammonium ion functional group. The X-ray reflectivity characterization of the films revealed that the polymer bearing the crown ether with the least affinity for primary ammonium ions, but having the highest degree of polymerization, is the most effective in forming structurally homogeneous thin films.     

Competitiveness of Inexperienced and Experienced Contractors in Bidding

This paper tests the assertion that experienced contractors are more competitive than inexperienced contractors by measuring the effect of experience on bidding competitiveness for building contracts procured by a regular client. Contractors are grouped into experienced and inexperienced contractors, and two levels of contractors’ experience are identified: (1) bidding experience only and (2) bidding plus construction experience. Results of two-sample t tests show that experienced contractors are more competitive than inexperienced contractors. Contractors’ competitiveness in respect of school contracts and other contracts are further compared in evaluating the relationship between the project type and experience effect. Experienced contractors are, on average, more competitive in competing for school contracts. It emerges that the factor of project type familiarity amplifies the experience effect. A comparison of experienced contractors’ competitiveness in bidding for (1) new building works and (2) alteration and extension works shows that the effect of experience would be more significant when contract works packages are highly standardized.     

A push mechanism for GPRS supporting private IP addresses

The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) provides a packet switched data service for mobile users. However, the existing GPRS specification does not provide the push mechanism and it is difficult to support GPRS services such as call termination (incoming call) for wireless voice over IP (VoIP). Based on the short message service, this paper proposes a push mechanism for GPRS supporting private IP addresses. Our approach does not need to modify the existing GPRS structure.     

Imaging of follicular dendritic cell tumours of the liver

Follicular dendritic cell tumour of the liver is a recently recognized entity. To date, only two cases have been described, both in the pathology literature. Histologically, it resembles an inflammatory pseudotumour and immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies are required for its diagnosis. The ultrasound, computed tomography and angiographic features of two cases of follicular dendritic cell tumour of the liver are described in detail. One of the patients had multiple recurrences of this tumour. The imaging features are very similar to those of hepatocellular carcinoma. As follicular dendritic cell tumour is considered to be of low-grade malignant potential, in contrast to the dismal prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma, it is important to be able to accurately distinguish between the two types of tumour prior to initiating definitive therapy.     

Image compression in digital mammography: effects on computerized detection of subtle microcalcifications

Our previous receiver operating characteristic (ROC) study indicated that the detection accuracy of microcalcifications by radiologists is significantly reduced if mammograms are digitized at 0.1 mm x 0.1 mm. Our recent study also showed that detection accuracy by computer decreases as the pixel size increases from 0.035 mm x 0.035 mm. It is evident that very large matrix sizes have to be used for digitizing mammograms in order to preserve the information in the image. Efficient compression techniques will be needed to facilitate communication and archiving of digital mammograms. In this study, we evaluated two compression techniques: full frame discrete cosine transform (DCT) with entropy coding and Laplacian pyramid hierarchical coding (LPHC). The dependence of their efficiency on the compression parameters was investigated. The techniques were compared in terms of the trade-off between the bit rate and the detection accuracy of subtle microcalcifications by an automated detection algorithm. The mean-square errors in the reconstructed images were determined and the visual quality of the error images was examined. It was found that with the LPHC method, the highest compression ratio achieved without a significant degradation in the detectability was 3.6:1. The full frame DCT method with entropy coding provided a higher compression efficiency of 9.6:1 at comparable detection accuracy. The mean-square errors did not correlate with the detection accuracy of the microcalcifications. This study demonstrated the importance of determining the quality of the decompressed images by the specific requirements of the task for which the decompressed images are to be used. Further investigation is needed for selection of optimal compression technique for digital mammograms.     

Dissolution Behavior of Griseofulvin Solid Dispersions Using Polyethylene Glycol, Talc, and Their Combination as Dispersion Carriers

Griseofulvin solid dispersions were prepared using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG), talc, and their combination as carriers by the solvent method. The dissolution of griseofulvin from these dispersions was studied. It was found that in these carriers the drug dissolution rate was a function of drug loading. The dissolution rate from dispersions prepared using PEG was similar to that from PEG/talc dispersions, especially at a low percentage of drug loading. Dispersions of PEG and PEG/talc provided dissolution rates faster than those from dispersions of talc. The incorporation of talc in PEG yielded dispersions with properties of less tackiness and ease for handling. Dissolution kinetics, based on the Hixson-Crowell equation, was used to determine the characteristics of griseofulvin particles in dispersions. Linear relationships were obtained for PEG and PEG/talc dispersions that indicated the presence of a uniformly sized monoparticulate system, whereas deviation from linearity was observed for talc dispersions. This appeared to be a multiparticulate system in which particles were present as free form and adsorbed form on the surface of talc.