Direct Contraction Research Articles

Effects of the familial risk factors on emotional and behavioral problems of adolescents - The mediating effects of executive function -

If the illegal dispatch is confirmed under the dispatch law, the dispatch law presupposes two legal effects. First, sanctions are imposed on the dispatching employer and the employer who are parties to the contract for dispatching workers. On the other hand, the employer is obliged to directly employ the employer in order to secure employment for dispatched workers. The duty of direct employment is to recognize the right to claim employment as a legal right to a dispatched worker. At the same time, when employers exercise the right to claim employment, employers are obliged to accept them.BR When a dispatch worker exercises his or her right to claim employment directly and the employer agrees to it, a direct labor contract relationship is newly formed between the dispatched worker and the employer. It does not take over a labor contract between a former dispatcher and a dispatched worker. In the formation of a new labor contract relationship, the principle of equal treatment should be applied. This is specified in the Dispatching Act.BR If the employer explicitly denies the employer

SU-E-T-58: Calculation of Dose Distribution of Accuboost Brachytherapy in Deformable Polyvinil Alcohol Breast Phantom Using Biomechanical Modeling and Monte Carlo Simulation

Purpose: the accuboost is the most modern method of breast brachytherapy that is a boost method in compressed tissue by a mammography unit. the dose distribution in uncompressed tissue, as compressed tissue is important that should be characterized. Methods: In this study, the mechanical behavior of breast in mammography loading, the displacement of breast tissue and the dose distribution in compressed and uncompressed tissue, are investigated. Dosimetry was performed by two dosimeter methods of Monte Carlo simulations using MCNP5 code and thermoluminescence dosimeters. For Monte Carlo simulations, the dose values in cubical lattice were calculated using tally F6. The displacement of the breast elements was simulated by Finite element model and calculated using ABAQUS software, from which the 3D dose distribution in uncompressed tissue was determined. The geometry of the model is constructed from MR images of 6 volunteers. Experimental dosimetery was performed by placing the thermoluminescence dosimeters into the polyvinyl alcohol breast equivalent phantom and on the proximal edge of compression plates to the chest. Results: The results indicate that using the cone applicators would deliver more than 95% of dose to the depth of 5 to 17mm, while round applicator will increase the skin dose. Nodal displacement, in presence of gravity and 60N forces, i.e. in mammography compression, was determined with 43% contraction in the loading direction and 37% expansion in orthogonal orientation. Finally, in comparison of the acquired from thermoluminescence dosimeters with MCNP5, they are consistent with each other in breast phantom and in chest's skin with average different percentage of 13.7±5.7 and 7.7±2.3, respectively. Conclusion: The major advantage of this kind of dosimetry is the ability of 3D dose calculation by FE Modeling. Finally, polyvinyl alcohol is a reliable material as a breast tissue equivalent dosimetric phantom that provides the ability of TLD dosimetry for validation.

Spectral element modeling and analysis of the dynamics and guided waves in a smart beam with a surface-bonded PZT layer

To predict ultrasonic guided waves generated by a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) in a structure accurately, the dynamic coupling between the base structure and the surface-bonded PZT must be modeled accurately and analyzed in an efficient way. For so-called smart beams, which consist of a metallic base beam and a surface-bonded PZT layer, we propose a spectral element model that has the capability to accurately predict high frequency dynamic responses and guided waves. For the spectral element model, Timoshenko beam theory is applied to both the base beam and PZT layer, and Mindlin-Herrmann rod theory is adopted to account for the effects of lateral contraction in the thickness direction of the base beam. The high accuracy of the spectral element model is validated by comparing the results of the spectral element model with conventional finite element method (FEM) results and results from the commercial finite element analysis package ANSYS. The effects of PZT-induced axial-bending coupling and structural damping on the dynamics and guided waves are then investigated using numeral simulation.

Interactions between thromboxane A2, thromboxane/prostaglandin (TP) receptors, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization

Endothelium-dependent smooth muscle hyperpolarization (EDH) increasingly predominates over endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) as a participant in vasodilation as vessel size decreases. Its underlying nature is highly variable between vessel types, species, disease states, and exact experimental conditions, and is variably mediated by one or more transferable endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors and/or the electrotonic spread of endothelial hyperpolarization into the media via gap junctions. Although generally regarded (and studied) as a mechanism that is independent of NO and prostanoids, evidence has emerged that the endothelium-derived contracting factor and prostanoid thromboxane A2 can modulate several signalling components central to EDH, and therefore potentially curtail vasodilation through mechanisms that are distinct from those putatively involved in direct smooth muscle contraction. Notably, vascular production of thromboxane A2 is elevated in a number of cardiovascular disease states that promote endothelial dysfunction. This review will therefore discuss the mechanisms through which thromboxane A2 interacts with and modulates EDH, and will also consider the implications of such cross-talk in vasodilator control in health and disease.

Guided waves in a Timoshenko beam with a bonded composite patch: Frequency domain spectral element modeling and analysis

Simulation of ultrasonic guided waves in a beam-type structure with a bonded composite patch repair requires a proven modeling and analysis technique that can provide accurate dynamic solutions at a high frequency range. We developed a spectral element model for a metallic beam with a bonded composite patch by using the variational method. To that end, the governing equations of motion are derived by adopting Timoshenko beam theory for the transverse bending motion, and Mindlin–Herrmann rod theory for the longitudinal motion of the composite patched beam to take into account the effects of lateral contraction in the thickness direction. The high accuracy of the spectral element model is then evaluated by comparison with the solutions obtained by the conventional finite element method (FEM) and by the commercial finite element (FE) analysis package ANSYS. By using the spectral element model, the effects of the composite patch on the characteristics of guided waves are numerically investigated. In addition, the effects of debonding are also numerically investigated with respect to monitoring the integrity of the bonded composite patch repair.

Jumping mechanisms in lacewings (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae).

Lacewings launch themselves into the air by simultaneous propulsive movements of the middle and hind legs as revealed in video images captured at a rate of 1000 s(-1). These movements were powered largely by thoracic trochanteral depressor muscles but did not start from a particular preset position of these legs. Ridges on the lateral sides of the meso- and metathorax fluoresced bright blue when illuminated with ultraviolet light, suggesting the presence of the elastic protein resilin. The middle and hind legs were longer than the front legs but their femora and tibiae were narrow tubes of similar diameter. Jumps were of two types. First, those in which the body was oriented almost parallel to the ground (-7±8 deg in green lacewings, 13.7±7 deg in brown lacewings) at take-off and remained stable once animals were airborne. The wings did not move until 5 ms after take-off when flapping flight ensued. Second, were jumps in which the head pointed downwards at take-off (green lacewings, -37±3 deg; brown lacewings, -35±4 deg) and the body rotated in the pitch plane once airborne without the wings opening. The larger green lacewings (mass 9 mg, body length 10.3 mm) took 15 ms and the smaller brown lacewings (3.6 mg and 5.3 mm) 9 ms to accelerate the body to mean take-off velocities of 0.6 and 0.5 m s(-1). During their fastest jumps green and brown lacewings experienced accelerations of 5.5 or 6.3 G: , respectively. They required an energy expenditure of 5.6 or 0.7 μJ, a power output of 0.3 or 0.1 mW and exerted a force of 0.6 or 0.2 mN. The required power was well within the maximum active contractile limit of normal muscle, so that jumping could be produced by direct muscle contractions without a power amplification mechanism or an energy store.

0516 長方形噴流のせん断層中に形成される渦構造の可視化

This study was focused on vortex structures in a forced rectangular jet. The periodic and alternative disturbance locally excited a pair of major shear layers. The flow visualization was performed by Laser Induced Fluorescence method to grasp 3-D image by stacking the time sequence of cross section images. As a result, the detail of tilting-link structure was observed, and it was revealed that the structure forms only in the excited jet. Mushroom shaped vortex enhances mixing and diffusion in the minor direction of the jet. On the other hand, the jet contraction in major direction is due to the self-induced velocity of the rectangular vortex ring.

Trade-Finance Contracts for Small-Business Suppliers and the Effect of Third-Party Financing

We consider a capital constrained small-business supplier doing business with a retailer on a consignment basis. The supplier has no source of financing. Therefore, the retailer may consider offering either a direct financing contract or a commitment contract. In the former, the retailer offers a loan to the supplier at a selected interest rate, and in the latter, the retailer guarantees that the supplier will earn a certain amount of revenue from sales. The retailer’s financial offer may signal credit worthiness to banks, who then may offer bank financing to the supplier. As expected, trade finance improves both the supplier’s and the retailer’s profits relative to no-financing scenario. However, neither can coordinate the supply chain. We show that bank financing works as a substitute to direct financing, causing the retailer’s profit to decrease and the supplier’s profit to increase. In contrast, bank financing works as a complement to the commitment contract, benefiting the retailer but possibly lowering the supplier’s profit. Surprisingly, direct with bank financing may coordinate the supply chain, but commitment with bank financing cannot do so. Moreover, both may lower total supply-chain profit for some parameter values.

An electrically coupled tissue-engineered cardiomyocyte scaffold improves cardiac function in rats with chronic heart failure

Varying strategies are currently being evaluated to develop tissue-engineered constructs for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. This study examines an angiogenic and biodegradable cardiac construct seeded with neonatal cardiomyocytes for the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF). We evaluated a neonatal cardiomyocyte (NCM)-seeded 3-dimensional fibroblast construct (3DFC) in vitro for the presence of functional gap junctions and the potential of the NCM-3DFC to restore left ventricular (LV) function in an in vivo rat model of CHF at 3 weeks after permanent left coronary artery ligation. The NCM-3DFC demonstrated extensive cell-to-cell connectivity after dye injection. At 5 days in culture, the patch contracted spontaneously in a rhythmic and directional fashion at 43 ± 3 beats/min, with a mean displacement of 1.3 ± 0.3 mm and contraction velocity of 0.8 ± 0.2 mm/sec. The seeded patch could be electrically paced at nearly physiologic rates (270 ± 30 beats/min) while maintaining coordinated, directional contractions. Three weeks after implantation, the NCM-3DFC improved LV function by increasing (p < 0.05) ejection fraction 26%, cardiac index 33%, dP/dt(+) 25%, dP/dt(-) 23%, and peak developed pressure 30%, while decreasing (p < 0.05) LV end diastolic pressure 38% and the time constant of relaxation (Tau) 16%. At 18 weeks after implantation, the NCM-3DFC improved LV function by increasing (p < 0.05) ejection fraction 54%, mean arterial pressure 20%, dP/dt(+) 16%, dP/dt(-) 34%, and peak developed pressure 39%. This study demonstrates that a multicellular, electromechanically organized cardiomyocyte scaffold, constructed in vitro by seeding NCM onto 3DFC, can improve LV function long-term when implanted in rats with CHF.

Training, exhaustion, and commitment of temporary agency workers: A test of employability perceptions

The aim of this study was to analyse whether the social exchange between temporary agency workers (TAWs) and the client organization is associated with a perception of training. In this study, we developed and tested a moderated mediation model that accounts for TAWs’ exhaustion and desire to obtain a direct contract with the client company in the relationship between the perception of training and affective commitment. Our hypotheses were tested on a sample of 425 blue-collar workers from four Portuguese companies with temporary agency work contracts. Our findings support a conditional indirect relationship between the perception of TAWs that the training provided by the client company facilitates their internal employability and their commitment towards this company via exhaustion for those TAWs who have a low desire to have a direct contract with this company. In addition, our findings show that TAWs do not reciprocally respond to the training that promotes external employability, as this factor is not associated with the affective commitment of these individuals, although exhaustion is associated with this perception. Moreover, we discuss the implications of these findings for the human resource management of TAWs.

Bangladesh: A Labor Paradox

Bangladesh: A Labor Paradox

On Actual and Percieved Monopolies

A dataset on the use of transparency notices by Danish contracting authorities is analysed. Focus is on reliance on technical reasons to justify the use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice. It is found that technical reasons are for the major part used to procure medical equipment primarily for hospitals, and that the technical reasons relied on in the majority of cases may be categorised as product characteristics and compatibility/interoperability grounds. There are also certain indications of a market characterised by selective distributions agreements, a pattern which may explain that most of the contracts are awarded to companies established in Denmark. It is concluded that, even if the CJEU would acknowledge product characteristics and compatibility/interoperability as technical grounds, it is questionable whether it would accept that on these grounds the contract could only be fulfilled by one particular economic operator. The hypothesis that transparency notices and the sanctuary from ineffectiveness would imply that direct contract awards are fitted into the justifications provided for in the Public Procurement Directives cannot be conclusively supported or rejected on the basis of the examined dataset.

Influence of plate surface temperature on the wetted area and system performance for falling film liquid desiccant regeneration system

The falling film liquid desiccant air conditioning system is a promising technology. The wetted area, as a key factor affecting the system performance, is significantly influenced by the plate surface temperature. With a single channel internally heated regenerator, this paper experimentally investigated the impact of plate temperature on the wetted area and system performance, by obtaining the film area and temperature with a thermal camera. LiCl was chosen as the desiccant. By reducing the film contraction in the transverse direction, the increase of plate surface temperature could enhance the wetted area significantly, especially for the low solution mass flow rate. The growth rate of area increased from 0.0017 to 0.0022m2/°C when the flow rate reduced from 0.062 to 0.034kg/s. The regeneration performance also increased with the temperature. A theoretical model with an analytical solution was developed to obtain the wetted area by describing the film contraction caused by the Marangoni effect. A good match was observed for the prediction and experimental results, with an average error of 10.8%. Furthermore, the wetted width was numerically found to also increase with the decrease of film thickness and contact angle, and its change with the solution concentration was slight. This research helps researchers and engineers to accurately predict the wetted area of falling film and to improve the heat and mass transfer performance of liquid desiccant regeneration system.

Deformation mechanisms of a rolled Mg–6Al–3Sn alloy during plane strain compression

Plane strain compressions were conducted on a rolled Mg–6Al–3Sn (AT63) alloy plate along the rolling direction (termed in-plane compression, IPC) and normal direction (termed through-thick compression, TTC), respectively. Deformation behaviors (mechanical response, microstructure evolution and macrotexture development) of each plane strain compression were compared against those of equivalent uniaxial compression (UC), and deformation mechanisms of IPC and TTC were investigated in detail. It has been found that the IPC with transverse constraint exhibits enhanced basal slip and retarded extension twinning with respect to the corresponding UC. However, the IPC with normal constraint transforms the main deformation mechanisms (i.e., extension twinning and basal slip) into prismatic slip and directional pyramidal slip. The TTCs, no matter with rolling or transverse constraint, suppress basal slip dramatically and cause directional contraction twins and directional pyramidal slip. The differences in deformation mechanisms between the plane strain compression and the corresponding UC are explained in relation to Schmid factor and strain directionality. Our results shed light on the deformation mechanisms of Mg alloys during plane strain compressions.

Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR

Injection of Algisyl-LVR, a treatment under clinical development, is intended to treat patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. This treatment was recently used for the first time in patients who had symptomatic heart failure. In all patients, cardiac function of the left ventricle (LV) improved significantly, as manifested by consistent reduction of the LV volume and wall stress. Here we describe this novel treatment procedure and the methods used to quantify its effects on LV wall stress and function. Algisyl-LVR is a biopolymer gel consisting of Na+-Alginate and Ca2+-Alginate. The treatment procedure was carried out by mixing these two components and then combining them into one syringe for intramyocardial injections. This mixture was injected at 10 to 19 locations mid-way between the base and apex of the LV free wall in patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), together with mathematical modeling, was used to quantify the effects of this treatment in patients before treatment and at various time points during recovery. The epicardial and endocardial surfaces were first digitized from the MR images to reconstruct the LV geometry at end-systole and at end-diastole. Left ventricular cavity volumes were then measured from these reconstructed surfaces. Mathematical models of the LV were created from these MRI-reconstructed surfaces to calculate regional myofiber stress. Each LV model was constructed so that 1) it deforms according to a previously validated stress-strain relationship of the myocardium, and 2) the predicted LV cavity volume from these models matches the corresponding MRI-measured volume at end-diastole and end-systole. Diastolic filling was simulated by loading the LV endocardial surface with a prescribed end-diastolic pressure. Systolic contraction was simulated by concurrently loading the endocardial surface with a prescribed end-systolic pressure and adding active contraction in the myofiber direction. Regional myofiber stress at end-diastole and end-systole was computed from the deformed LV based on the stress-strain relationship.

Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR

Injection of Algisyl-LVR, a treatment under clinical development, is intended to treat patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. This treatment was recently used for the first time in patients who had symptomatic heart failure. In all patients, cardiac function of the left ventricle (LV) improved significantly, as manifested by consistent reduction of the LV volume and wall stress. Here we describe this novel treatment procedure and the methods used to quantify its effects on LV wall stress and function.Algisyl-LVR is a biopolymer gel consisting of Na+-Alginate and Ca2+-Alginate. The treatment procedure was carried out by mixing these two components and then combining them into one syringe for intramyocardial injections. This mixture was injected at 10 to 19 locations mid-way between the base and apex of the LV free wall in patients.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), together with mathematical modeling, was used to quantify the effects of this treatment in patients before treatment and at various time points during recovery. The epicardial and endocardial surfaces were first digitized from the MR images to reconstruct the LV geometry at end-systole and at end-diastole. Left ventricular cavity volumes were then measured from these reconstructed surfaces.Mathematical models of the LV were created from these MRI-reconstructed surfaces to calculate regional myofiber stress. Each LV model was constructed so that 1) it deforms according to a previously validated stress-strain relationship of the myocardium, and 2) the predicted LV cavity volume from these models matches the corresponding MRI-measured volume at end-diastole and end-systole. Diastolic filling was simulated by loading the LV endocardial surface with a prescribed end-diastolic pressure. Systolic contraction was simulated by concurrently loading the endocardial surface with a prescribed end-systolic pressure and adding active contraction in the myofiber direction. Regional myofiber stress at end-diastole and end-systole was computed from the deformed LV based on the stress-strain relationship.

Hepatitis viral C

El virus de la hepatitis C se trasmite por contacto directo con la sangre de la persona infectada. La mayoría de los pacientes no presenta síntomas en la fase aguda o crónica de la hepatitis. Dos a tres décadas después, algunos pacientes progresan a la cirrosis compensada, que también es asintomática. En un examen de sangre, los anticuerpos se presentan como una sorpresa, porque no se les relaciona con un episodio de contagio. Un embarazo ocasiona la posibilidad de efectos negativos de la infección en la madre o el niño. El tratamiento actual no ofrece la certeza de cura, dependiendo del genotipo viral, y presenta efectos adversos que pueden ser severos. La cirrosis descompensada causa la mayoría de muertes relacionadas con esta infección; algunos de estos pacientes desarrollan carcinoma hepatocelular. La reproducción viral causa partículas virales diferentes del virus original, característica que ha impedido el desarrollo de una vacuna. Actualmente, la prevención consiste en evitar el contacto con sangre infectada. Este artículo revisa la infección con el virus de la hepatitis C, incluyendo los últimos progresos en tratamiento. Es necesario educar a la comunidad acerca de los efectos de este virus en la salud pública.

Jumping from the surface of water by the long-legged flyHydrophorus(Diptera, Dolichopodidae)

The fly Hydrophorus alboflorens (4 mm long, 4.7 mg mass) moves around upon and jumps from water without its tarsi penetrating the surface. All six tarsi have a surface area of 1.3 mm(-2) in contact with the water, but they did not dimple its surface when standing. Jumping was propelled by depression of the trochantera of both hind and middle legs, which are 40% longer than the front legs and 170% longer than the body. As these four legs progressively propelled the insect to take-off, they each created dimples on the water surface that expanded in depth and area. No dimples were associated with the front legs, which were not moved in a consistent sequence. The wings opened while the legs were moving and then flapped at a frequency of 148 Hz. The body was accelerated in a mean time of 21 ms to a mean take-off velocity of 0.7 m s(-1). The best jumps reached velocities of 1.6 m s(-1), and required an energy output of 7 μJ and a power output of 0.6 mW, with the fly experiencing a force of 140 g. The required power output indicates that direct muscle contractions could propel the jump without the need for elaborate mechanisms for energy storage. Take-off trajectories were steep, with a mean of 87 deg to the horizontal. Take-off velocity fell if a propulsive tarsus penetrated the surface of the water. If more tarsi became submerged, take-off was not successful. A second strategy for take-off was powered only by the wings and was associated with slower (1 deg ms(-1) compared with 10 deg ms(-1) when jumping) and less extensive movements of the propulsive joints of the middle and hind legs. No dimples were then created on the surface of the water. When jumping was combined with wing flapping, the acceleration time to take-off was reduced by 84% and the take-off velocity was increased by 168%. Jumping can potentially therefore enhance survival when threatened by a potential predator.

Supply chain coordination through rebate induced contracts

In this paper three different types of rebate induced contract namely direct-rebate and revenue sharing contract; downward direct rebate contract; direct-rebate and effort sharing contract are proposed for supply chain coordination perspective. Effectiveness and flexibility of proposed contracts under linear and iso-elastic demand are discussed analytically. It is shown that under certain conditions both manufacturer and retailer can gain more profit by means of appropriate coordination contracts. Several important implications are derived analytically to point out relationship among characteristically different contracts. Results are illustrated with numerical examples.

Thermal expansion/contraction of boron nitride nanotubes in axial, radial and circumferential directions

In the present work, thermal expansion/contraction of armchair boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with various diameters was investigated. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of BNNTs in axial, circumferential and radial directions were determined at temperatures from 100K to 700K, using molecular dynamics simulation. Two CTE in axial direction were defined; real axial CTE and apparent axial CTE. All BNNTs showed real axial thermal expansion, which was due to the thermal expansion of B–N bond length. However, large diameter BNNTs exhibited apparent axial thermal contraction at low temperatures. Although the apparent axial thermal contraction was not observed in small diameter BNNTs, their apparent axial CTE was smaller than their real axial CTE. In circumferential direction, all BNNTs were thermally expanded. In spite of thermal expansion in circumferential direction, BNNTs with large diameters exhibited thermal contraction in radial direction. The above observations were explained by considering both the effect of dynamic thermal vibration of BNNTs and the effect of thermal expansion of B–N bond length.