Artificial neural networks for controlling the temperature of internally cooled turning tools

Copyright @ 2013 Scientific Research PublishingBy eliminating the need for externally applied coolant, internally cooled turning tools offer potential health, safety and cost benefits in many types of machining operation. As coolant flow is completely controlled, tool temperature mea- surement becomes a practical proposition and can be used to find and maintain the optimum machining conditions. This also requires an intelligent control system in the sense that it must be adaptable to different tool designs, work piece materials and machining conditions. In this paper, artificial neural networks (ANN) are assessed for their suitability to perform such a control function. Experimental data for both conventional tools used for dry machining and internally cooled tools is obtained and used to optimise the design of an ANN. A key finding is that both experimental scatter characteristic of turning and the range of machining conditions for which ANN control is required have a large effect on the optimum ANN design and the amount of data needed for its training. In this investigation, predictions of tool tem- perature with an optimised ANN were found to be within 5°C of measured values for operating temperatures of up to 258°C. It is therefore concluded that ANN’s are a viable option for in-process control of turning processes using inter- nally controlled tools.This study is funded by the European Commission

The restructuring and privatisation of British Rail: Was it really that bad?

This paper uses a social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) framework to assess whether rail privatisation in Britain has produced savings in operating costs. The paper shows that major efficiencies have been achieved, consumers have benefited through lower prices, whilst the increased government subsidy has been largely recouped through privatisation proceeds. We also find that output quality is no lower (and is probably better) than under the counterfactual scenario of public ownership (pre-Hatfield). The achievement of further savings is key to delivering improved rail services in the future. This paper finds that a privatised structure, where shareholders demand a return on their investment, has led to significant improvements in operating efficiency - it remains to be seen whether the new regime, with a not-for-profit infrastructure owner, will deliver the same efficiency improvements

从汤沈之争看冯梦龙的戏曲改编

Title in Traditional Chinese: 從湯沈之爭看溤夢龍的戲曲改編Running title of the journal: 中国戏曲学院学报 = Journal of National Academy of Chinese Theatre ArtsRunning title of the journal in Traditional Chinese: 中國戲曲學院學報Journal title in Traditional Chinese: 戲曲藝術2010-2011 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Comparative insect mitochondrial genomes: Differences despite conserved genome synteny

We present a comparative analysis of select insect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) representing four insect orders (Diptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera and Coleoptera) consisting of 12 different species inan effort to study a common set of genes and to understand the evolution of mitochondrial genome. A functional analysis of mitochondrial genomes was carried out using ERGO bioinformatics suite. To compare the similarity between closely related insect mitochondrial genome sequences, dot-plotcomparisons of sequences were performed. LSU and SSU rRNA sequences were used to construct a phylogenetic tree to determine the relationship among four insect orders. LSU rRNA sequences yieldeda tree with branching patterns reflecting the expected pattern as insect species belonging to different orders were put into separate clades. Based on the sequence similarity, insect species belonging tofour different orders in general appear to be closely related. However, a comparative and functional analysis of insect mitochondria sequences revealed differences in gene organization of mtDNA. Although tRNA species were identical in most species of insects, their position and the transcription orientations were different, reflecting differential transcriptions. Based on this study we conclude that,although the gene types are very similar across these insect orders, significant differences in GC content perhaps suggest multiple mitochondrial ancestor

Translating eroticism in traditional Chinese drama : three English versions of The Peony Pavilion

Author name used in this manuscript: Cindy S.B. Ngai2011-2012 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

论《牡丹亭》英译策略的运用和局限

Author name used in this publication: Wei Cheng-biTitle in Traditional Chinese: 論《牡丹亭》英譯策略的運用和局限Journal title in Traditional Chinese: 文化藝術研究2010-2011 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Prevalence and risk factors associated with peripheral arterial disease in the hearts of Brazil project

FUNDAMENTO: A doença arterial obstrutiva periférica (DAOP) está associada ao maior índice de risco cardiovascular. No Brasil, faltam dados sobre sua prevalência e fatores de risco. OBJETIVO: Avaliar prevalência e fatores de risco associados à DAOP nas cidades brasileiras com > cem mil habitantes. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, multicêntrico, que avaliou 1.170 indivíduos (>18 anos), em 72 centros urbanos, participantes do Projeto Corações do Brasil. O diagnóstico de DAOP baseou-se na medida do índice tornozelo-braquial (ITB) < 0,90. A análise estatística utilizou teste Qui-quadrado (Pearson) corrigido para amostras complexas e intervalos de confiança. P < 0,05 foi considerado significativo. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de DAOP foi de 10,5% e apenas 9% dos portadores da doença apresentaram claudicação. A DAOP esteve associada à presença de diabetes, obesidade total e abdominal, acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) e doença isquêmica do coração (DIC). Houve tendência a maior prevalência de DAOP na presença de hipertensão, insuficiência cardíaca, insuficiência renal dialítica e tabagismo >20 anos/maço. Mulheres coronariopatas apresentaram risco 4,9 vezes maior de ter DAOP, do que aquelas sem coronariopatia e, entre homens diabéticos, o risco de DAOP foi 6,6 maior em comparação aos não diabéticos. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de DAOP foi elevada, considerando-se a baixa média de idade da população avaliada (44&plusmn;14,7 anos). A minoria dos portadores apresentava claudicação, o que denota o grande contingente de indivíduos assintomáticos. Os fatores mais fortemente associados à doença foram diabetes, obesidade, AVC e DIC. Os autores concluíram que a medida do ITB deve ser considerada na avaliação de pacientes de moderado e alto risco cardiovascular.BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. In Brazil, data on PAD prevalence and risk factors are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence and risk factors related to PAD in Brazilian urban centers with more than 100,000 inhabitants. METHODS: National, multicenter, cross-sectional study of 1,170 individuals (>18 years), from 72 major Brazilian urban centers participating in the "Hearts of Brazil Project". PAD diagnosis was based on ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.90. The statistical analysis used the corrected Chi-square (Pearson) test for complex samples and confidence intervals. P< 0.05 was considered statitically significant. RESULTS: PAD prevalence was 10.5%. Intermittent claudication (IC) was present in only 9% of PAD patients. A significant association was found between PAD and the following factors: diabetes, total and abdominal obesity, stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD). There was a trend of higher PAD prevalence among individuals with hypertension, heart failure, chronic renal failure on dialysis, as well as those who had smoked over 20 pack-years. For females, presence of IHD was associated with a 4.9-fold greater risk of PAD. Among males, a 6.6-fold increased risk of PAD was found for diabetic in comparison to non-diabetic individuals. CONCLUSION: PAD prevalence was markedly high, considering the low mean age of the studied population (44&plusmn;14.7 yrs). IC was detected in a minority of PAD subjects, indicating a considerable number of asymptomatic individuals. Diabetes, obesity, stroke and IHD were the stronger predictors of PAD. The authors concluded that ABI measurement should be considered in the evaluation of moderate to high cardiovascular risk patients.Empresa Libbs Farmacêutic

Diretrizes Brasileiras de Dispositivos Cardíacos Eletrônicos Implantáveis (DCEI) - Parte IV

Esta última parte destas Diretrizes enfoca as recomendações especiais na área da estimulaçao cardíaca artificial, principalmente as circunstâncias que podem interferir no bom relacionamento entre marcapasso e cabo-eletrodo, coração e paciente. Os pontos mais importantes aqui citados estão relacionados com possíveis danos aos cabos-eletrodos, especialmente nos processo infecciosos, situações que frequentemente se tornam dramáticas em pacientes já debilitados e envolvem decisoes difíceis, como o manuseio prolongado, objeto de controvérsia na literatura. Outro fato importante e bastante discutido neste capítulo está relacionado com as interferências ambientais, que podem inibir ou desestruturar a programaçao realizada anteriormente e que certamente levará a um descompasso entre marcapasso e coraçao. Isto se torna cada vez mais freqüente devido à evolução tecnológica de grande repercussao entre os equipamentos eletro-eletrônicos que circundam um paciente portador de marcapasso

Rif1 maintains telomeres and mediates DNA repair by encasing DNA ends

In yeast, Rif1 is part of the telosome, where it inhibits telomerase and checkpoint signaling at chromosome ends. In mammalian cells, Rif1 is not telomeric, but it suppresses DNA end resection at chromosomal breaks, promoting repair by nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). Here, we describe crystal structures for the uncharacterized and conserved ∼125-kDa N-terminal domain of Rif1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Rif1-NTD), revealing an α-helical fold shaped like a shepherd's crook. We identify a high-affinity DNA-binding site in the Rif1-NTD that fully encases DNA as a head-to-tail dimer. Engagement of the Rif1-NTD with telomeres proved essential for checkpoint control and telomere length regulation. Unexpectedly, Rif1-NTD also promoted NHEJ at DNA breaks in yeast, revealing a conserved role of Rif1 in DNA repair. We propose that tight associations between the Rif1-NTD and DNA gate access of processing factors to DNA ends, enabling Rif1 to mediate diverse telomere maintenance and DNA repair functions

The provision of NHS health checks in a community setting: an ethnographic account

Background: The UK National Health Service Health Checks programme aims to reduce avoidable cardiovascular deaths, disability and health inequalities in England. However, due to the reported lower uptake of screening in specific black and minority ethnic communities who are recognised as being more at risk of cardiovascular disease, there are concerns that NHS Health Checks may increase inequalities in health. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of community outreach NHS Health Checks targeted at the Afro-Caribbean community. Methods: This paper reports findings from an ethnographic study including direct observation of four outreach events in four different community venues in inner-city Bristol, England and follow up semi-structured interviews with attendees (n = 16) and staff (n = 4). Interviews and field notes were transcribed, anonymized and analysed thematically using a process of constant comparison. Results: Analysis revealed the value of community assets (community engagement workers, churches, and community centres) to publicise the event and engage community members. People were motivated to attend for preventative reasons, often prompted by familial experience of cardiovascular disease. Attendees valued outreach NHS Health Checks, reinforcing or prompting some to make healthy lifestyle changes. The NHS Health Check provided an opportunity for attendees to raise other health concerns with health staff and to discuss their test results with peers. For some participants, the communication of test results, risk and lifestyle information was confusing and unwelcome. The findings additionally highlight the need to ensure community venues are fit for purpose in terms of assuring confidentiality. Conclusions: Outreach events provide evidence of how local health partnerships (family practice staff and health trainers) and community assets, including informal networks, can enhance the delivery of outreach NHS Health Checks and in promoting the health of targeted communities. To deliver NHS Health Checks effectively, the location and timing of events needs to be carefully considered and staff need to be provided with the appropriate training to ensure patients are supported and enabled to make lifestyle changes