Porphyromonas-like gram-negative rods in naturally occurring periodontitis in dogs

A total of 259 Gram-negative Porphyromonas-like rods isolated from subgingival plaque samples of 16 family-owned dogs with naturally occurring periodontitis were characterized phenotypically by biochemical reactions, metabolic end products and enzymatic activities (API-ZYMTM, RoscoTM). Four distinct groups were found. Group A isolates (63) were asaccharolytic, lipase negative, trypsin positive and produced phenylacetic acid (PAA) from peptone-yeast extract glucose broth. Unlike P. gingivalis strains they were catalase positive. Group B isolates (42) differed from those of group A by a positive lipase reaction and from those of group D by failing to ferment sugars. Group C isolates (88) were asaccharolytic and did not produce PAA. They were alpha-fucosidase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (beta-NAG) and trypsin negative, resembling P. endodontalis, but unlike human isolates, they were catalase positive. Subgroup C.1 isolates (6) differed from those of parent group C by producing minor amounts of PAA, and subgroup C.2 isolates (12) were beta-NAG positive. Group D isolates (46) were weakly fermentative, lipase, catalase and trypsin positive, and produced PAA. They resembled the B (P.) salivosus type strain which, in our hands, fermented weakly glucose, lactose and mannose. Two isolates could not be assigned to any of the previous groups.     

Articulating User Needs in Collaborative Design: Towards an Activity-Theoretical Approach

This paper analyses the collaborative design ofa high-technology product, a neuromagnetometerused in the analysis of the activity of thehuman cortex. The producer, Neuromag Company istrying to transform the device from a basicresearch instrument into a means of clinicalpractice. This transition is analyzed as asimultaneous evolution of the product,producer-user network and user activities. Thenetwork is analyzed as a network of activitysystems. Each activity has a historicallyformed object and a motive of its own, as wellas a system of cultural means and expertise. Weuse these to explain and understand theinterests and points of view of the actors inrelation to the product and the contradictionsof the producer-user network. It is suggestedthat the emerging user needs of collectiveactors must be analyzed at three levels. At thefirst level, the use value of the product, itscapacity of solving the vital problems andchallenges of developing user activities, ischaracterized. The second-level analysisconcerns the creation and development of thenecessary complementary tools and services thatmake the implementation and use of the productpossible. This task presupposes collaborationbetween several communities of the innovationnetwork. The third level is the situatedpractical use of the product. In ourexperience, it is advantageous that researcherscontribute with their data to a dialogue inwhich the user needs are articulated.     

Hot-rolling simulation and modelling using Gleeble 1500

Using the Gleeble 1500, incremental and continuous hot compression tests, simulating hot rolling, were performed on C-Mn, Nb-T, and Nb steels with test temperatures varying between 875 and 1100°C and strain rates between 0.5 and 20 s^?1. Four models are proposed. The stress peak model allows the prediction of continuous stress-strain curves from incremental curves and vice versa through the use of stress restoration index K. Variation in K for Nb-T₁, C-Mn and Nb steels at strain rates of 3, 12 and 20 s^?1 was found to be negligible. The predicted stress strain curve corresponds to experimental stress strain curve at same temperature and strain rate. The strain history model predicts continuous strain-time curves from incremental stress-strain curves using ‘constant’ ‘negative strain’ restoration index. At 950°C, with holding time 2 s and strain rate 12 s^?1, strain time decay curves obtained for C-Mn, Nb and Nb-T, steels were ε = 1.5e^?05t, ε = 1.2e^?0.36t and ε = e^?0.3t, respectively. The creep model analysis relates creep strain rate to the testing strain rate. For Nb steel at 875°C, and test strain rate of 12 s^?1, ?_creep was found to be 9.5 s^?1. The stress history model predicts continuous stress-time curves from incremental stress-time curves. Stress decay curve for C-Mn steel at 1100°C and ? = 3s^?1 was found to be σ = 181e^?0.04t. Hot rolling characteristics of steels can be accurately predicted using hot compression tests and proposed models.     

Dietary squalene increases tissue sterols and fecal bile acids in the rat

Feeding 1% squalene increased markedly the concentrations of squalene and methyl sterols in each serum lipoprotein class, intestinal mucosa, liver and also in adipose tissue. It also increased cholesterol concentration of the liver and serum VLDL, and esterified cholesterol in serum LDL as well as fecal bile acids. The results suggest that absorbed dietary squalene contributes to some extent to the squalene content of adipose tissue, effectively increases the overall cholesterol synthesis and enhances cholesterol elimination preferentially as fecal bile acids.     

DISCREPANCIES IN THE REGRESSION MODELLING OF RECRYSTALLIZATION RATE AS USING THE DATA FROM PHYSICAL SIMULATION TESTS

The analysis of numerous experimental equations published in the literature reveals a wide scatter in the predictions for the static recrystallization kinetics of steels. The powers of the deformation variables, strain and strain rate, similarly as the power of the grain size vary in these equations. These differences are highlighted and the typical values are compared between torsion and compression tests. Potential errors in physical .simulation testing are discussed.     

Effect of Austenite Pancaking on the Microstructure,Texture, and Bendability of an Ultrahigh-Strength Strip Steel

The effect of austenite pancaking in the non-recrystallization regime on microstructure and texture evolution and thereby on bendability was investigated in an ultrahigh-strength strip steel with a martensitic-bainitic microstructure. The results indicate that an increase in rolling reduction (R _tot) below the non-recrystallization temperature, which improves the strength and toughness properties, increases the intensities of the ~{554}〈225〉 _α and ~{112}〈110〉 _α texture components along the strip centerline and of the ~{112}〈111〉 _α component at the surface region. Even with the highest R _tot of 79 pct, the bendability along the rolling direction was good, but the preferred alignment of rod-shaped MA constituents along the rolling direction led to a dramatic decrease in the bendability transverse to the rolling direction, with severe cracking occurring even at small bending angles. The early cracking is attributed to localization of the strain in narrow shear bands. It is concluded that the R_tot value has to be limited to guarantee successful bendability.     

A state machine approach in modelling the heating process of a building

Process models and their applications have gradually become an integral part of the design, maintenance and automation of modern buildings. The following state machine model outlines a new approach in this area. The heating power described by the model is based on the recent inputs as well as on the past inputs and outputs of the process, thus also representing the states of the system. Identifying the model means collecting, assorting and storing observations, but also effectively utilizing their inherent relationships and nearest neighbours. The last aspect enables to create a uniform set of data, which forms the characteristic, dynamic behaviour of the HVAC process. The state machine model is non-parametric and needs no sophisticated algorithm for identification. It is therefore suitable for small microprocessor devices equipped with a larger memory capacity. The first test runs, performed in a simulated environment, were encouraging and showed good prediction capability.     

Thermal comfort and use of thermostats in Finnish homes and offices

Thermal comfort and use of thermostats in homes and office rooms were examined by a quantitative interview survey with a nationally representative sample in Finland. The total number of respondents was 3094. The results show that thermal comfort levels are lower in offices than in homes. People feel cold and hot more often in offices than in homes during both the winter and summer seasons. The perceived control over room temperature is remarkably low in offices. Higher thermal comfort levels and perceived control in homes are supported by greater adaptive opportunities. In offices people have fewer opportunities to control the thermal environment, people deal worse with thermostats, and people have lower opportunities to adapt to different thermal environments.     

Improving R&D processes by an ISO 9001-based Quality Management System

This paper presents practical experience in planning, implementing, and adopting a Quality Management System (QMS) for embedded systems development at VTT Electronics. The main objective for the development of the QMS was to make it practical for real-life embedded systems research and development (R&D) projects. We have applied the ISO 9001 standard and ISO 9000–3 guidelines in building the quality system. From our personnel's point of view, the most important parts of the system have been document skeletons and plan templates that were made accessible to everyone. One of the major quality improvement resulting from the use of the QMS has been the enhanced predictability of R&D projects. This makes it possible for the organization to concentrate on essential matters. From our clients' point of view, we have clearly improved the quality of our R&D services in terms of the customer satisfaction index. Based on QMS auditing activities, we have been able to evaluate and tune our R&D procedures in a systematic manner. We have decided to use Total Quality Management and Quality Award frameworks in the further development of the QMS. Customer service and human resources management are examples of important areas for further quality improvement.