Interactional features of a paper-based monitoring system

Traditional desktop computers have a tendency to drag users towards the desk and away from the object of their work. Researchers working within fields covered by the term ‘tangible computing’ are trying to find ways to integrate computer technology in a more radical way and minimise the gravitation to a desk. In this paper, we argue for different interactional features that are connected to a design idea for monitoring treatment sessions of remote haemodialysis. We discuss interactional features with a non-traditional computer interface in a highly mobile work environment.     

Decomposition of interacting machining features based on the reasoning on the design features

Currently, design and machining features diverge in meaning, even when they are interpreting the same object. This divergence of feature interpretation provides a venue for research work to reduce the complexity that arises in recognizing interacting machining features. Therefore, this paper demonstrates the recognition of design features with the aim to eventually decompose the interacting machining features. Loop driving recognition links the CAD data directly to the features to be recognized. The first step is to recognize the design features from B-Reps part. Then geometrical reasoning on these design features is employed to convert the design features to its respective machining features. The process of conversion is in fact the process of decomposing the interacting machining features without having to visit the B-Reps data again. The system takes into account the nesting of the design features that causes more interacting machining features to be decomposed. Finally, output data of both design and machining features are then displayed.     

Ceramic Raschig Rings—Improving Removal of Organic Compounds from Landfill Leachate by Perozone (O3/H2O2)

For improving the treatment of landfill leachate by combination O₃/H₂O₂, ceramic Raschig rings (CRR) with different surface areas were added to enhance mass transfer of ozone into liquid phase. To determine optimal conditions of reaction, pH and reaction time was also studied. The optimal pH range of 8–9, optimal reaction time of 80 min was identified in this research. CRR contribute to the significant improvement of efficiency of landfill leachate treatment by O₃/H₂O₂ systems. With added CRR of 728 m²/m³ surface area, color, COD and TOC removal was increased in comparison with experiment without CRR is 8%, 14%, and 9%, respectively. In this condition, the ozone utilization efficiency was also higher than that of experiment without CRR. Content of O₃ was also identified uses 3.441 kg O₃/kg COD.     

基于引力模型的三维运动点集的非精确匹配

本文提出了一种基于引力模型(attractive model)的非精确匹配算法,应用于三维空间运动点集的对应点匹配问题.根据引力模型,我们将匹配和运动估计问题转化为一个代价函数的全局优化问题,实现了无对应点的运动估计和总体匹配.这种算法是一个鲁棒(robust)估计和匹配方法,可以处理包含非匹配点对的三维运动点集.大量计算机模拟实验结果充分证明了算法的鲁棒性和有效性.     

An active tool-tracking system for increased productivity

Keeping track of tools is essential for smooth running of any production unit. Being one of the critical resources for production, non-availability of tools can affect productivity of any manufacturing shop floor seriously. In this paper, a novel tool-tracking system, which can be used to monitor the movements of tools in a shop floor to prevent tool loss and tool hoarding, is described. The system uses miniature transmitters embedded in the tools together with a number of receiver stations located strategically around the shop floor. Each tool intermittently transmits a coded signal so that it may be identified as well as located. Simulation studies show that the system is effective particularly in situations where the productivity would have been low because of high tool losses.     

Late morbidity after esophagectomy for cancer: is partial esophagectomy preferred?

BACKGROUND: Several studies have highlighted the problem of back pain among helicopter pilots, but few have controlled for potential confounding factors in their analyses, or sought to examine the effects of back pain on operational readiness and flying performance. There have been no previous studies of the prevalence of back pain among Australian military pilots. METHODS: The prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of low back pain were assessed in a cross-sectional survey of 200 Australian military helicopter pilots by self-completion questionnaire. RESULTS: Responses were received from 131 (66%) of available pilots. The overall prevalence of reported back pain was 64% (95% CI 56%-72%), with a further 28% of pilots describing back discomfort while flying. More than half the pilots (55%) indicated that back pain had interfered with their concentration while flying, with 16% reporting that they had hurried flying missions because of pain. A minority of pilots (7%) had refused to fly because of back problems. After adjusting for age, education, BMI, posture and numbers of hours flown, multiple logistic regression modelling indicated that a prior history of back injury was the most significant predictor of back pain among rotary wing pilots (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.11-6.23). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the prevalence of back pain in Australian military helicopter pilots is unacceptably high and may be limiting operational readiness, pilot performance, flying safety, and pilot health. Urgent attention needs to be given to improved ergonomic design in aircraft, and both back pain prevention and back injury rehabilitation programs.     

Short communication: Decreasing the dietary ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids increases the n-3 concentration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in weaned Holstein heifer calves

Utilization of nutrients to improve overall heifer health is of interest because of the importance of replacement heifers to the dairy industry. The objective of our study was to compare the effect of supplementation of dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids (FA) on FA concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Holstein calves. Twenty-seven Holstein heifer calves (107 ± 2.6 d of age; 142.6 ± 6.5 kg of body weight) from the university research and teaching herd were randomly assigned to a common TMR supplemented with 1 of 3 treatments: Ca salts of flaxseed FA (Virtus Nutrition, Corcoran, CA) containing 35% 18:3 n-3 (N3), Ca salts of soybean FA (Virtus Nutrition) containing 50% 18:2 n-6 (N6), or a 50:50 mix of N3 and N6. Treatments were supplemented with FA at 4% of dietary dry matter and fed for 30 d. Feed intake was recorded daily, and body weight, wither height, and body condition score were measured weekly throughout the study. On d 28 heifers were vaccinated with a Pasteurella vaccine and the temperature response to the vaccine was recorded. Blood was collected on d 0 and 28 for PBMC isolation. After total lipid extraction and FA methyl ester preparation, FA composition of PBMC was measured. We observed no effect of treatment on body weight gain, body condition score change, or wither height change. Heifers receiving the N3 diet had a lower temperature response to Pasteurella challenge compared with both the mix and N6 diets. Heifers consuming the N3 diet had a greater content of total n-3 FA, α-linolenic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid in PBMC compared with heifers fed the N6 and mix diets. Heifers receiving the N3 diet also had a lower content of total n-6 FA, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid in PBMC than heifers fed the N6 and mix diets. In conclusion, our study determined that feeding weaned female Holstein heifers a diet high in n-3 FA increased concentrations of n-3 FA in PBMC.     

ATPase activity of myosin in hair bundles of the bullfrog's sacculus

Mechanoelectrical transduction by a hair cell displays adaptation, which is thought to occur as myosin-based molecular motors within the mechanically sensitive hair bundle adjust the tension transmitted to transduction channels. To assess the enzymatic capabilities of the myosin isozymes in hair bundles, we examined the actin-dependent ATPase activity of bundles isolated from the bullfrog's sacculus. Separation of 32P-labeled inorganic phosphate from unreacted [gamma-32P]ATP by thin-layer chromatography enabled us to measure the liberation of as little as 0.1 fmol phosphate. To distinguish the Mg(2+)-ATPase activity of myosin isozymes from that of other hair-bundle enzymes, we inhibited the interaction of hair-bundle myosin with actin and determined the reduction in ATPase activity. N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) decreased neither physiologically measured adaptation nor the nucleotide-hydrolytic activity of a 120-kDa protein thought to be myosin 1 beta. The NEM-insensitive, actin-activated ATPase activity of myosin increased from 1.0 fmol x s-1 in 1 mM EGTA to 2.3 fmol x s-1 in 10 microM Ca2+. This activity was largely inhibited by calmidazolium, but was unaffected by the addition of exogenous calmodulin. These results, which indicate that hair bundles contain enzymatically active, Ca(2+)-sensitive myosin molecules, are consistent with the role of Ca2+ in adaptation and with the hypothesis that myosin forms the hair cell's adaptation motor.     

土壤水分测量的研究

介绍一种土壤水份测量装置。它采用电导法原理，利用优良的交流检测电路和单片机系统，结构简单，操作方便，精度高，成本低，稳定性好