A case of using the Semantic Interoperability Framework for custom orthopedic implants manufacturing

The efficiency and effectiveness of the daily practice in orthopedic surgery depend on the availability, interoperability and unique access to a wide set of information, related to the patient’s medical record and diagnosis, domain knowledge and available resources and staff. The most important of the tangible resources, needed for the therapeutic or preventive actions are orthopedic implants. In some cases, the implants may be highly complex and customized products, which need to be manufactured (assembled) on basis of the above information in a shortest possible timeframe. In this paper, the case of the custom orthopedic implants manufacturing is described from the perspective of the collaborative enterprising, with special consideration of the interoperability issues of the involved enterprise collaboration. It is shown how the previously developed Semantic Interoperability Framework can be used to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing and other relevant processes.     

Frequency dependence of the spin-fluctuation spectrum in Pd: Calculations within the finite bandwidth model

The frequency dependence of the electron-paramagnon spectrumP() in Pd is calculated within the finite bandwidth model. It is found that for an almost full band, the magnitude, the range, and the position of the peak frequency inP() are dramatically reduced compared to their values in the usual paramagnon theory. Also, we find that the frequency dependence of the spin-fluctuation contribution to the electron self-energy is strongly affected by a close proximity of the Fermi level to the top of the band. We speculate that an unusually large value of the Coulomb pseudopotential is probably partially responsible for the absence of superconductivity in Pd.     

A probabilistic fire-protection siting model with joint vehicle reliability requirements

A probabilistic fire-protection siting model is described that places capacitated stations, engine companies, and truck companies in such a way that the population or calls covered by an engineand a truck with a joint reliability of at least is maximized. Probabilistic constraints are developed and numerical equivalents are found for the probability requirement for proximate server presence. The multiple co-location of servers at stations and the use of stations with a limited capacity are also investigated. Structures are utilized that preserve the integer properties when the model is solved by linear programming relaxation.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 37th North American Meetings, Boston, November 1990.     

Formation of oxide phases in the system Fe2O3−Gd2O3

The formation of oxide phases in the system (1 -x) Fe₂O₃ +xGd₂O₃ was investigated for 0 x 1. On the basis of XRD measurements the distribution of oxide phases, -Fe₂O₃, Gd₃Fe₅O₁₂, GdFeO₃ and Gd₂O₃ was determined, as a function ofx. No solid solutions were observed with certainty even at the very ends of the concentration range. This was also confirmed by⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. New accurate crystallographic data for Gd₃Fe₅O₁₂ are given. The formation of oxide phases in the system Fe₂O₃- Gd₂O₃ is compared with the data for analogous system Fe₂O₃-Eu₂O₃.     

Dual approach to multiple authorship in the study of collaboration/scientific output relationship

This paper presents an empirical study of the relations between scientific output and collaboration performed on two scales: (1) an individual scale, for members of a study model, and (2) a group scale, for three samples varying in the level of productivity. The rank approach was applied in the preparation of the study model resulting in the selection of a set of the most prolific authors. In the course of that process, multiple authorship problem was solved by a dual approach, consisting of normal count and modified straight count procedures. As shown by the analysis of collaborative patterns, either on individual or on group scales, scientific output is highly dependent on the frequency of collaboration among the same authors. Expressed as the collaboration measure, it might serve as an indicator in comparative analyses of scientific productivity in a given field of science.     

Qualitative analysis of motion properties of semistate models of large-scale systems

This paper studies the behavior of motions of large-scale (LS) semistate systems (SSS) governed byP _i (t)x _i =M _i (t,x _i )x _i +f _i (t)+h _i (t, x), i=1,2,...,s, =(x ₁ ^T x ₂ ^T x _s ^T )^T, where matricesP _i (t) are singular. Using Lyapunov's approach and the tools for LS system analysis, a variant of attractivity and ultimate boundedness of appropriate time-variable sets are investigated. The results are based on a specific choice of the aggregate functions. It is assumed that the reduction of equations to a normal form of lower order is inconvenient. The aggregation-decomposition approach used in this paper reduces the dimensionality of an aggregate matrix of the system to the number of its systems. Motion properties of LS systems are deduced from the properties of its isolated subsystems, the character of interconnections, and the conditions imposed on the system aggregate matrix. Sufficient algebraic conditions for the above-mentioned motion properties are developed.     

Magnetic pinning in inhomogeneous type II superconductors

The magnetic structure of a vortex in the presence of an anisotropic inhomogeneity distribution is calculated within the London model. The anisotropic supercurrent pattern consists of closed current loops, superimposed on a backflow pattern. The nonvanishing current density at the vortex core gives rise to an intrinsic Lorentz force identical with the pinning force resulting from the spatial variation of the vortex self-energy.     

Path-planning strategies for a point mobile automaton moving amidst unknown obstacles of arbitrary shape

The problem of path planning for an automaton moving in a two-dimensional scene filled with unknown obstacles is considered. The automaton is presented as a point; obstacles can be of an arbitrary shape, with continuous boundaries and of finite size; no restriction on the size of the scene is imposed. The information available to the automaton is limited to its own current coordinates and those of the target position. Also, when the automaton hits an obstacle, this fact is detected by the automaton's tactile sensor. This information is shown to be sufficient for reaching the target or concluding in finite time that the target cannot be reached. A worst-case lower bound on the length of paths generated by any algorithm operating within the framework of the accepted model is developed; the bound is expressed in terms of the perimeters of the obstacles met by the automaton in the scene. Algorithms that guarantee reaching the target (if the target is reachable), and tests for target reachability are presented. The efficiency of the algorithms is studied, and worst-case upper bounds on the length of generated paths are produced.Supported in part by the National Science Foundation Grant DMC-8519542.     

Early Lipid Raft-Related Changes: Interplay between Unilateral Denervation and Hindlimb Suspension

Muscle disuse and denervation leads to muscle atrophy, but underlying mechanisms can be different. Previously, we have found ceramide (Cer) accumulation and lipid raft disruption after acute hindlimb suspension (HS), a model of muscle disuse. Herein, using biochemical and fluorescent approaches the influence of unilateral denervation itself and in combination with short-term HS on membrane-related parameters of rat soleus muscle was studied. Denervation increased immunoexpression of sphingomyelinase and Cer in plasmalemmal regions, but decreased Cer content in the raft fraction and enhanced lipid raft integrity. Preliminary denervation suppressed (1) HS-induced Cer accumulation in plasmalemmal regions, shown for both nonraft and raft-fractions; (2) HS-mediated decrease in lipid raft integrity. Similar to denervation, inhibition of the sciatic nerve afferents with capsaicin itself increased Cer plasmalemmal immunoexpression, but attenuated the membrane-related effects of HS. Finally, both denervation and capsaicin treatment increased immunoexpression of proapoptotic protein Bax and inhibited HS-driven increase in antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Thus, denervation can increase lipid raft formation and attenuate HS-induced alterations probably due to decrease of Cer levels in the raft fraction. The effects of denervation could be at least partially caused by the loss of afferentation. The study points to the importance of motor and afferent inputs in control of Cer distribution and thereby stability of lipid rafts in the junctional and extrajunctional membranes of the muscle.