Technical Mean Research Articles

System of Designing Complex Technical Means Using Fuzzy Analysis

This paper presents the concept of the system adding designer work using fuzzy analysis of the notes of design requirements and solutions. Design requirements are generated basing on the proposed model of the technical mean life cycle. It includes three phases of life of a technical mean: its formation, its existence and its liquidation. In this perspective there are examined five general requirements associated with: the technical need, a man, the technical culture, the society and the environment. The design solutions are created basing on the concept of an universal structure of technical means. The structure of the system has following components: structural system, drive system and control system. Structural system is determined as the integrator of the whole structure of a complex technical mean. The drive system is secondary to the structural system. The third in the order of the systems is the control system. It is developed last so it must take into account the solutions developed for the structural system and the drive system. Generating constructional solutions is carried out in the three distinguished features of a construction: geometric, material and dynamic. The presented methodology is illustrated by the example of designing specific technical mean.

Construction Development Using Virtual Analysis on the Example of a Roof Support<i></i>

The CAD/FEM systems enable the analysis and development of any constructional solutions. They are particularly effective for the complex technical means. In this regard, investigations are conducted to develop methodological concept for the design using the virtual environment [1,2,3,4]. This paper presents the solution basing on the proposed structure of the complex technical mean consisting of three components: structural system, drive system and control system. The structural system includes the carrying and functional elements. The drive system refers to the elements responsible for activating the functions of technical means. However, the control system is responsible for the implementation of the selected sequence of actions. Basing on such formulated concept it was presented the project of the powered roof supports with the strait-line mechanism. The work describes the results of the virtual analysis of the elaborated roof support construction. They are considering with the analysis of its functioning and with the fulfilment of the requirements consider with the human factors.

Developing an analytical tyre model that estimates tyre forces using a least squares method

The use of control systems, especially vehicle dynamic control systems, is increasing at a remarkable rate. A key parameter that affects the performance of a vehicle dynamic control system is the interaction forces between the tyre and the road since these forces determine the acceleration, braking and steering properties of a car. Consequently, the accurate estimate of these forces is highly desired. Technical limitations and cost considerations mean that it is standard practice to estimate this data instead of performing measurements. Since available tyre models are generally an algebraic representation of the actual tyre and neglect variations in road conditions and uncertainties, an improved model for vehicle dynamic control applications is required. This paper proposes a tyre model which is formulated based on the least squares method and variable exponential forgetting estimation. The proposed estimator calculates tyre forces using information obtained from the sensors in a vehicle dynamic control system. The performance and robustness of the proposed tyre model is evaluated via virtual handling simulations in ADAMS software.

Technical Efficiency of Public Hospitals in Senegal: A Data Envelopment Analysis with an Estimated Case Mix Index

In sub-Saharan Africa, hospitals absorb the greatest proportion of total health resources according to the World health Organization. Senegal is no exception to this, out of the total government expenditure in the health sector, a third is absorbed by public hospitals and specialized health institutes on average each year. This heavy use of health resources by the hospitals relative to other public health providers raises questions about how efficiently those scarce resources are used. This study assesses the technical and scale efficiency of Senegalese public hospitals using Data Envelopment Analysis. For Senegal, I find that the public hospitals’ technical efficiency mean of 0.969 is higher than what was found for African hospitals in general but, the mean scale efficiency of 0.881 is very similar. However, Senegal has technically inefficient hospitals that could be using fewer inputs for the actual level of output they are producing and the possible savings in inputs are not trivial, especially concerning the number of physicians. To reduce the waste in inputs, I would recommend their redistribution through an upgrade of the top health centers in the country, particularly in the regions without a hospital, into public hospitals.

Greenhouse gas mitigation potential of agricultural land in Great Britain

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of croplands and grasslands in Great Britain under different management practices. We consider the feasible land management options for grass and cropland using county level land‐use data with estimates of per‐area mitigation potential for individual and total GHGs, to identify the land management options with the greatest cost‐effective mitigation potential. We show that for grasslands, uncertainties still remain on the mitigation potential because of their climatic sensitivity and also their less intensive management. For croplands in Great Britain, the technical mean GHG mitigation potentials for all cropland management practices range from 17 Mt CO2‐eq. per 20 yr to 39 Mt CO2‐eq. per 20 yr. There are significant regional variation in all cases, with the greatest potentials in England, negligible potential in Wales and intermediate potential in Scotland, with country differences largely driven by the areas of cropland and grassland in each country. Practices such as agronomic improvement and nutrient management are the most promising options because of their impact on N2O emissions and also their larger potential at low cost. In terms of annual emissions from agriculture, calculated mitigation potentials are small, where the technical mitigation potential of agronomy and nutrient management strategies are ca. 4.5 and 3.8%, respectively (agricultural emissions account for ca. 9% or 47.7 Mt CO2‐eq., of total Great Britain GHG emissions, Department of Energy and Climate Change, UK). However when compared with the land use, land‐use change and forestry sector (LULUCF) emissions, nutrient management would reduce further emission reductions by approximately half of the 2005 LULUCF sink (i.e. −1.6 Mt CO2‐eq. per year).

Research on Dynamic Characteristic of Planetary Gear Train by Visualization Technology

Based on the multi-body dynamics theory and visualization technology, a planetary gear train system is studied in RecurDyn. The multi-body dynamics model of the 2K-H planetary gear train system is built to do the visual analysis on dynamic characteristic of the planetary gear system severally in the ideal steady-state condition and the random-load condition, than the real-time dynamic contact stress and some other meaningful results of the key components are gained. Compared the related simulation results with that of the theoretical analysis, it is known that two kinds of results are consistent and the simulation analysis on the planetary gear train system is correct and accuracy. From the research above, the new idea and analytical tool are provided for the traditional, static, "redundancy" design method of the gear system, and also the effective technical mean is provided in conceptual design of complex mechanical products to predict the performance, then to reduce the "birth defects" in design stage and also an effective and efficient technical means for engineering applications is offered for optimal design and developing new product on gear train system.

Experimental Research on the Bearing Capacity of Timber Columns Repaired and Strengthened by BFRPS

Using BFRPS to increase strength and durability of the structure has recently started to be used as a new technical mean. In this paper, eight BFRPS timber columns under axial compressive loads are tested, and damage characteristics and mechanical properties are studied based on the testing results. Compared with the components which are reinforced and not, the relationship between the effects of bearing factors and increasing degrees can be concluded, providing reference for the similar engineering problems.

Delivery of Internet-based cancer genetic counselling services to patients' homes: a feasibility study

We examined the feasibility of home videoconferencing for providing cancer genetic education and risk information to people at risk. Adults with possible hereditary colon or breast and ovarian cancer syndromes were offered Internet-based counselling. Participants were sent web cameras and software to install on their home PCs. They watched a prerecorded educational video and then took part in a live counselling session with a genetic counsellor. A total of 31 participants took part in Internet counselling sessions. Satisfaction with counselling was high in all domains studied, including technical (mean 4.3 on a 1-5 scale), education (mean 4.7), communication (mean 4.8), psychosocial (mean 4.1) and overall (mean 4.2). Qualitative data identified technical aspects that could be improved. All participants reported that they would recommend Internet-based counselling to others. Internet-based genetic counselling is feasible and associated with a high level of satisfaction among participants.

How to Develop the UNESCO the World Needs : The Challenges of Reform

The world needs more public goods in education, especially statistics, research and shared experience. UNESCO should be the place to turn for these public goods but its politicization and its limited technical and human resources mean that it cannot at present fulfi ll that role, a role now partially fi lled by others, all of whom wish that UNESCO were a stronger institution. Reform is possible, however, as two achievements of the past decade demonstrate (the establishment of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and of the Education for All Global Monitoring Report) but will require tackling several issues simultaneously, many of them more about UNESCO’s overall budget and human resources policies and practices than specifi c to its education sector. Leadership and some transitional fi nance will be essential for effective reform.

Stellenwert der Ultraschalluntersuchung in der HNO einschließlich intraoperativer Sonographie

Sonography is an established part of routine ENT examinations. Due to the anatomy of the head neck region most organs and their diseases are easily accessible to sonography. Constant technical advances mean that ultrasound, due to its high resolution capabilities, represents an outstanding diagnostic alternative to magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography. Sonography provides additional information of diagnostic value on various diseases occurring in the head and neck region. The use of sonography for diagnostic and follow-up examinations is integrated in daily clinical routine. Moreover, sonography is also a helpful intraoperative tool for both diagnostic and therapeutic reasons and offers new approaches for intraoperative navigation.

Detection of bacterial endotoxin content in eight kinds of injection by cytokine revulsion

By using RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line, we studied the dose-effect relationship of endotoxin induced RAW 264.7 cells to release TNF-alpha, and then detected the content of endotoxin in 8 kinds of injections, so that we can investigate the feasibility and the interference factors of the novel test. By using endotoxin of different concentrations to induce RAW 264. 7 cells to release TNF-a, we drew the curve of dose-effect relationship between endotoxin and generated TNF-alpha. Then we detected the content of TNF-alpha in yuxingcao, shuanghuanglian, qingkailing, gegensu, xiangdan, qianrongmei and jiangxianmei injections and shuanghuanglian powder injection, and calculated their content of endotoxin. The endotoxin could induce the cells to release TNF-alpha in a good dose-dependent manner, even at a very low concentration. In the range of maximum available dilution multiple, the content of endotoxin in the rest 7 kinds of injections was less than 1.0 EU x mL(-1) except qingkailing injection of two batch. Cytokine revulsion has the advantage of wide detection range, high sensitivity, simple operation, and the detected endotoxin is of bioactivity. This method provides another technical mean for pyrogen test of injections.

Urinary Biomarkers of Podocyte Injury

Podocyturia may be an expression of glomerular disease and is evaluated using urinary podocyte-specific molecules. This article discusses the technical problems of detection and quantification of podocyturia using immunofluorescent staining of specific proteins, urinary podocyte culture, flow cytometry and urinary podocyte-specific molecules (including PCR, immunoblotting and ELISA). Technical problems mean that it is still impossible to define a biomarker for urinary podocyte injury. This article also discusses the future perspectives for podocyturia studies, including fluorescence-activated cell sorting and the study of the proteome of urinary exosomes.

Antibody-based therapies for malaria

Antibodies are multifunctional glycoproteins that are found in blood and tissue fluids, and can protect against malaria by binding and neutralizing malaria parasites and preparing them for destruction by immune cells. Important technical advances mean that it is now possible to synthesize antibodies against important Plasmodium antigens that could be used for therapeutic purposes. These reagents could be designed to act like a drug and kill parasites directly, or could be used in vaccine strategies to protect individuals from infection. In this article, we discuss the possible therapeutic uses of antibodies in the treatment and prevention of malaria.

Practical Laboratory Project in Telemedicine: Supervision of Electrocardiograms by Mobile Telephony

This paper describes a project carried out in the laboratory of Principles of Bioengineering within the Telecommunications Engineering degree (five academic years plus a final thesis). The main object of this project is to set up a portable system for the acquisition, analysis, and transmission by mobile telephony of the electrocardiogram (ECG) of an indeterminate number of patients. The network of patients is managed from a control center (CC), comprising a personal computer (PC) with application software and a mobile telephony communications system. In a real system, each patient would have a patient terminal with a microprocessor-based, ECG-acquisition system with processing and transmission by mobile telephony. Time and technical considerations mean that, in the project, the patient terminal will have to be implemented in a PC. To perform this project, the students must have a wide range of knowledge acquired in this course and in other subjects required for this degree: design of bioamplifiers, information-processing algorithms, mobile-telephony communications, user-interface programming, etc. Having to use these concepts will no doubt serve as a stimulus to the students carrying out the work.

Ex Cathedra Cladistics

There is barely a field of biology that remains untouched by the use of phylogenies. From linguistic analysis to the study of conservation and biodiversity, phylogenies are an integral tool for comparative studies in all branches of biology. It is therefore not surprising that teaching the basic elements of phylogeny reconstruction has become an essential part of most undergraduate biology courses, and for many students cladistics is their first introduction to this subject. Yet its strict logic and daunting technical vocabulary mean that for many the cladistic method is difficult to grasp, especially when taught from the rather dry accounts available in some evolution textbooks. This publication is the latest in a series of recent books attempting to bridge this gap. Combining an interactive CD-ROM and accompanying book, the authors provide an introductory account of the cladistic method that takes advantage of the electronic medium while assuming no prior knowledge of cladistics.

The Camera's Methods of Approaching Reality

The creative imagination can work with a ray of light acting on a sensitive surface as truly as it can with a brush loaded with pigment. Both brush and camera are merely tools; the camera is a machine only when it is used mechanically.In photography, as in every art, the quality and power of a man's imagination are what count. Technique and technical proficiency mean nothing in themselves because without the creative imagination technique has no direction.

Industrial Concentration in Canada and the United States

The proportion of an industry's output concentrated in a few large firms is recognized by economists as an important characteristic of industrial structure. Economic analysis agrees with the layman's judgment that high concentration is a major factor making for monopolistic practices, and there is ample confirmation in the record of antitrust investigations.The degree of concentration is of course not by any means the only determinant of market behaviour. In the absence of collusion or government regulation, however, high concentration is a necessary condition for monopolistic practices, while low concentration is a necessary condition for the type of competition that tends to equate price and marginal costs. Moreover, with low concentration informal collusion is unlikely and the organization of formal collusion (for example, through a trade association) becomes difficult. Government regulation is frequently the result of political pressures the strength of which reflects either high concentration or close association of the business interests involved.It is therefore important to investigate the degree of concentration and its causes. This paper presents a comparison of concentration in the manufacturing industries of Canada and the United States. We find, first, that most industries are more concentrated in Canada than in the United States. This can be ascribed to the fact that industries are typically much smaller in Canada, while firms are of about the same size as in the United States. Secondly, we find that industries with relatively high concentration in one country also tend to have relatively high concentration in the other, though the correlation coefficient is only about 0.7. It appears that cultural and technical similarities make for similar industry-size patterns in the two countries, while the technical similarities mean, further, that industries with a relatively large average size of firm in one country also have relatively large firms in the other.