Technical Target Research Articles

Building ranked mashups of unstructured sources with uncertain information

Mashups are situational applications that join multiple sources to better meet the information needs of Web users. Web sources can be huge databases behind query interfaces, which triggers the need of ranking mashup results based on some user preferences. We present MashRank, a mashup authoring and processing system building on concepts from rank-aware processing, probabilistic databases, and information extraction to enable ranked mashups of (unstructured) sources with uncertain ranking attributes. MashRank is based on new semantics, formulations and processing techniques to handle uncertain preference scores, represented as intervals enclosing possible score values. MashRank integrates information extraction with query processing by asynchronously pushing extracted data on-the-fly into pipelined rank-aware query plans, and using ranking early-out requirements to limit extraction cost. To the best of our knowledge, both the technical problems and target applications of MashRank have not been addressed before.

Layer-by-Layer Doping of Few-Layer Graphene Film

We propose a new method of layer-by-layer (LbL) doping of thin graphene films. Large area monolayer graphene was synthesized on Cu foil by using the chemical vapor deposition method. Each layer was transferred on a polyethylene terephthalate substrate followed by a salt-solution casting, where the whole process was repeated several times to get LbL-doped thin layers. With this method, sheet resistance was significantly decreased up to approximately 80% with little sacrifice in transmittance. Unlike samples fabricated by topmost layer doping, our sample shows better environmental stability due to the presence of dominant neutral Au atoms on the surface which was confirmed by angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sheet resistance of the LbL-doped four-layer graphene (11 x 11 cm(2)) was 54 Omega/sq at 85% transmittance, which meets the technical target for industrial applications.

SeaHERO core technology and its research scope for a seawater reverse osmosis desalination system

Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination is considered one of the most promising technologies for supplying freshwater to the regions suffering from water scarcity. Although a considerable amount of research has been conducted in attempts to improve SWRO desalination technology, reducing the cost of producing freshwater is still required. In Korea, this effort is already been being carried out by the Seawater Engineering & Architecture of High Efficiency Reverse Osmosis (SeaHERO) project. Core Technology 2 (CT2), one of the most important sub-projects out of four CTs under SeaHERO, pursues two main goals: optimization of processes for low energy consumption/high efficiency and localization of core parts/equipments of the SWRO plant. Four unit technologies (UTs) are then incorporated into CT2 and each UT has its own technical target; UT1 focuses on the development of SWRO desalination system integration and optimization technology in terms of energy saving; UT2 and 3 work to develop high performance RO membranes and 16-inch modules with polyamide-type materials and novel (i.e., non-polyamide) materials, respectively; UT4 works to develop a high-pressure/massive-capacity pump and hydrostatic energy recovery device for a high efficiency SWRO plant. Accordingly, the integration of the four UTs of CT2 in the SeaHERO project is expected to contribute to reducing the cost and energy consumption in producing freshwater from seawater using the SWRO process.

A Novel Design of Wave‐Like PEMFC Stack with Undulate MEAs and Perforated Bipolar Plates

AbstractCommercialisation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology depends on high volumetric power density and specific power for a given cost. In the present study, a novel wave‐like architecture for PEMFC stack based on undulate membrane electrode assembles (MEAs) and perforated bipolar plates (PBPs) was presented. Different from conventional plate‐and‐frame architecture, this design increased active area and achieved higher volumetric power density due to undulate MEAs. Moreover, perforated sheet metal was used as bipolar plates so that it could improve specific power.A single cell was designed and fabricated in house to evaluate the performance of the novel architecture stack. Stamped PBPs with open rate of 28.26% and hot pressed 5‐layer undulate MEAs with Nafion® 112 were adopted. The results indicated that the peak volumetric power density and specific power are 2,715.94 W L–1 and 2,157.86 W kg–1, respectively, while they are 2,151.28 W L–1 and 1,709.22 W kg–1 at the output voltage of 0.6 V. This study may propose a possible means to meet the DOE's 2010 technical target that volumetric power density is 2,000 W L–1 and specific power is 2,000 W kg–1 for stack.

Overview of Heavy Prestressed Bumpy Ridge Joining Structure with Steel Wire Wound

Heavy overall structure developing into heavy bolts prestressed sectional structure, further into heavy winding wire prestressed bumpy ridge joining structure, is a development result of science, technology, engineering. Prestress technology is a key factor to promote this development. The advantages and disadvantages of these types of structures and their application backgrounds are analyzed theoretically from the point of view such as the allowable stress of pretightening pieces, stress fluctuations ratio of pretightened pieces, pretightening coefficient, pretightening stiffness, residual pretightening stress, fatigue resistance, technical and economic target. Principle shortcomings of the heavy bolts prestressed sectional structure are pointed out emphatically. Owing to the limit of lower allowable stress of pretightening pieces, it is difficult to obtain high mechanical indicators in the application of heavy and super heavy structures; furthermore,pretightening pieces not only need to occupy a big space but also cannot offer the normal stress protection to pretightened pieces. Comparatively, a detailed study of the mechanical characteristics and advantages of heavy winding wire prestressed bumpy ridge joining structure is made,which can provide high reliability pretightening force besides the residual compressive stress of pretightened pieces remaining on the ratio of pre-stress up to 50%. All these are favorable to prevent the shearing offset of pieces. The design parameter optimization table is given, which provides a scientific reference for heavy prestress structure design.

Pilot study of an interactive voice response system to improve medication refill compliance

BackgroundSub-optimal adherence to prescribed medications is well documented. Barriers to medication adherence include medication side effects, cost, and forgetting to take or refill medications. Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems show promise as a tool for reminding individuals to take or refill medications. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of using an IVR system for prescription refill and daily medication reminders. We tested two novel features: personalized, medication-specific reminder messages and communication via voice recognition.MethodsPatients enrolled in a study of electronic prescribing and medication management in Quebec, Canada who were taking chronic disease-related drugs were eligible to participate. Consenting patients had their demographic, telephone, and medication information transferred to an IVR system, which telephoned patients to remind them to take mediations and/or refill their prescriptions. Facilitators and barriers of the IVR system use and acceptability of the IVR system were assessed through a structured survey and open-ended questions administered by telephone interview.ResultsOf the 528 eligible patients who were contacted, 237 refused and 291 consented; 99 participants had started the pilot study when it was terminated because of physician and participant complaints. Thirty-eight participants completed the follow-up interview. The majority found the IVR system's voice acceptable, and did not have problems setting up the time and location of reminder calls. However, many participants experienced technical problems when called for reminders, such as incorrect time of calls and voice recognition difficulties. In addition, most participants had already refilled their prescriptions when they received the reminder calls, reporting that they did not have difficulties remembering to refill prescriptions on their own. Also, participants were not receptive to speaking to an automated voice system.ConclusionIVR systems designed to improve medication compliance must address key technical and performance issues and target those individuals with reported memory difficulties or complex medication regimens in order to improve the utility of the system. Future research should also identify characteristics of medication users who are more likely to be receptive to IVR technology.

Routine stent implantation vs. percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in femoropopliteal artery disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing routine stenting (ST) with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for symptomatic superficial femoral-popliteal artery (SFPA) disease. Ten trials were pooled randomizing patients to ST (n = 724 limbs) or PTA with provisional stenting (n = 718 limbs) with a follow-up period of 9-24 months. The mean lesion length was similar in the two groups (45.8 mm in the ST group and 43.3 mm in the PTA group). We calculated the summary risk ratios (RRs) for immediate technical failure, restenosis, and target vessel revascularization (TVR) using random-effects models. The immediate technical failure was higher in the PTA group than in the ST group [17.1 vs. 5.9%, respectively, RR = 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.15-0.54, P < 0.001], with 10.3% of the PTA patients undergoing stenting because of suboptimal result. There was a trend for lower restenosis in the ST group (37.6% in ST vs. 45.3% in PTA, RR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.69-1.06, P = 0.146), but no difference in the need for TVR (20% in ST vs. 20.2% in PTA, RR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.78-1.23, P = 0.89). In an analysis restricted to nitinol stents, there was a trend towards reduction in TVR (RR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.59-1.06, P = 0.12). Despite the higher immediate success, routine stenting was not associated with a significant reduction in the rate of restenosis or TVR. Our data do not support use of routine stenting as the primary endovascular treatment for short SFPA lesions.

Radial Clearance is Key Factor Affecting Roller Bearing Life Prediction in Tri-Cone Bit

The life of tri-cone bits will directly affect the economic and technical drilling target. In order to control and evaluate bit’s life, the paper builds up the calculating mathematical model, which is suitable for determination of tri-cone bit’s life, to rationally design the radial clearance of non standard bearings. Effect of the radial clearance on the life of roller bearing was systematically deduced. The larger the radial clearance is; the higher the contact stress is; and the shorter the roller bearing life is. It follows from the model that the key factor of the radial clearance should be taken into consideration besides structure data and anti-friction pair’s heat treatment of roller bearing in order to decrease the contact stress of anti-friction pair and prolong the bit’s life.

Olefin Reduction of FCC Naphtha Using β-zeolite Catalyst in the Absence of Hydrogen

In order to fulfill the requirement of environmental protection, experimentation of reducing FCC gasoline olefin content and optimization of the process operating conditions were studied in a small fixed vector. Under the action of a macroporous molecular sieve catalyst, which consists of active composition of Ni and Mo metal in β-zeolite supporter, when the reaction temperature was 140°C, reaction pressure was 2.0 MPa, and space velocity was 1.0 h−1–2.0 h−1, aromatization reactions, isomerization reactions, and hydrogen transfer reactions happened, so that the olefin, benzene, and arene in product gasoline were no more than 35%, 2.5%, and 40%, respectively. The octane number of petroleum is slightly increased. And it overcomes the disadvantage of losing octane by hydrogenation process. The catalyst could be regenerated using a multi-cycle with an average running cycle of about 96 hr. The results show that the process reaction condition is relaxation, process is non-hydrogenation, process flow is simple, technical and economic target is advanced, benefit is high, and cost is low.

Cancer‐specific targeting of an adenovirus‐delivered herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase suicide gene using translational control

Two technical hurdles, gene delivery and target specificity, have hindered the development of effective cancer gene therapies. In order to circumvent the problem of tumor specificity, the suicide gene, HSV-1 thymidine kinase (HSV-Tk), was modified with a complex 5' upstream-untranslated region (5'-UTR) that limits efficient translation to cells expressing high levels of the translation initiation factor, eIF4E. Since previous studies have shown that most tumor cells express elevated levels of eIF4E, tumor-specific gene delivery was optimized by incorporation of the 5'-UTR-modified suicide gene (HSV-UTk) into an adenovirus vector (Ad-CMV-UTk). The efficacy of this novel approach of targeting suicide gene expression and limiting cytotoxicity by means of translational restriction was tested in vitro with the use of the human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB435, and ZR-75-1). As controls, normal MCF10A, HMEC, and HMSC cell lines that express relatively low levels of eIF4E were used. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify HSV-Tk mRNA for cells infected with Ad-CMV-UTk as well as with Ad-CMV-Tk (a control adenovirus in which HSV-Tk is not regulated at the level of translation). Translation of HSV-Tk in the Ad-infected cells was measured by Western blot analysis. In addition, cytotoxicity was determined following treatment with the pro-drug ganciclovir (GCV) using an MTT viability assay. Finally, microPET imaging was used to assess cancer cell-specific expression of HSV-Tk and expression in normal tissues in vivo after intraperitoneal injection of Ad-CMV-Tk or Ad-CMV-UTk. These data collectively showed enhanced cancer cell-specific gene expression and reduced normal tissue gene expression for the Ad-HSV-UTk compared to the Ad-CMV-Tk, leading to increased cancer cell-enhanced GCV cytotoxicity. These results indicate that translational targeting of suicide gene expression in tumor cells in vitro and in vivo is effective and may provide a platform for enhanced cancer gene therapy specificity.

The chance of Sweden's public health targets making a difference

Background: There is a trend in health policy towards more focus on determinants and societal interventions and less on individuals. The Swedish public health targets are in line with this trend. The value of public health targets lies in their ability to function as a tool in governing with targets. This paper examines the possibility of the Swedish targets functioning as such a tool. Method: Document analyses were performed to examine three prerequisites of governing with targets: (1) the influence of the administration in the target setting process, (2) the explicitness of targets and (3) the follow-up system. The material consisted of the documents from the committee drafting the targets, the written opinions on the drafts, and the governmental bill with the adopted public health targets. Results: The administration influenced the target setting process. Further, the government invests in a follow-up system that makes indicators on health determinants visible. However, although there existed explicit targets earlier in the process, the final targets in the bill are not explicit enough. Conclusion: The Swedish public health targets are not explicit enough to function in governing with targets. The reasons for this were political rather than technical. This suggests that policy makers focusing health determinants should not put time and resources in technical target formulating. Instead they could make indicators visible, thereby drawing attention to trends that are political by nature.

Technical target setting in time-stamped quality function deployment

Quality Function Deployment (QFD), one of the major quality systems, has been applied to develop numerous products (Akao, 1990), including software systems, to improve their quality. Target setting is a complicated and important task in product development using Quality Function Deployment (QFD). The targets are extremely important since they directly affect customer satisfaction. We need to develop methods of setting target values of engineering attributes based on their technical trend to achieve the quality goals in terms of satisfaction of customer requirements for a given timeframe so that by the time of completion of a project the values of technical attributes are competitive. Two quantitative approaches for setting target values: benchmarking and primitive linear regression were developed and used in the past, both of which are based on linear regression and not very practical in many applications. In this paper, we present an innovative quantitative approach to set technical targets in QFD to enable assessment of the impact of unachieved target values on customer satisfaction. In addition, both linear and non-linear regression are utilized in our method; hence, we need not be confined to straight-line relationships when an exponential function, a power function, or a polynomial rather than a straight line may better represent the data obtained. We further develop a time-stamped target setting method by incorporating the technical trend and time. By incorporating the market trend and the time of delivery of the product into the target setting process, we can set targets that provide a competitive edge for our product over the competitor's products and a high level of customer satisfaction.

2606 交通流の分散による航空機の衝突リスクの軽減短縮垂直間隔導入後の安全性評価(OS5-2 鉄道と航空機の安全,OS5 安全・安心・セキュリティー・防災,TRANSLOG 2006)

RVSM, which is the vertical separation minimum reduced from 2,000ft to 1,000ft at flight levels (FL) between 290 and 410 inclusive, was implemented on 30 September 2005 within the Japanese domestic airspace for efficient aircraft operation. As a result of safety assessment for the airspace in assumed RVSM environments using a collision risk model, an estimate of collision risk averaged for whole target airspace met a maximum allowable level of collision risk, i.e. 2.5×10^<-9> [accidents/flight hour], called the technical Target Level of Safety (TLS). However, a local collision risk value for G581 route didn't meet the TLS. The G581 route system was restructured for reducing aircraft passing frequencies by traffic flow division. Using flight progress data, the passing frequencies for the route system were estimated every month. An estimate of the collision risk after the restructuring for the route system meets the technical TLS. The estimate after the implementation of RVSM is half of that before the implementation. It's one fortieth of the estimate before route restructuring.

交通流の分散による航空機の近接通過頻度の軽減

RVSM, which is the vertical separation minimum reduced from 2,000 ft to 1,000 ft at flight levels (FL) between 290 and 410 inclusive, was implemented on 30 September 2005 within the Japanese domestic airspace for efficient aircraft operation. Prior to the implementation, safety assessment for the airspace in assumed RVSM environments was carried out using the collision risk model. As a result of the assessment carried out in 2004, an estimate of collision risk averaged for whole target airspace met a maximum allowable level of collision risk, i.e. 2.5×10^<-9> [accidents / flight hour], called the technical target level of safety (TLS). However, a collision risk value for G581 route didn't meet the TLS. The G581 route system was restructured for reducing aircraft passing frequencies by traffic flow division. It's important to investigate the change in passing frequency values of the restructured airspace. Using flight progress data, the passing frequencies for the G581 route system were estimated every month. The results obtained are as follows. (1) An estimate of the collision risk after the restructuring for the G581 meets TLS. (2) The average passing frequency of post-restructuring is one twentieth of that of pre-restructuring.

621. Translational Restriction of Protein Expression of a Modifed Suicide Gene and Cytotoxicity in Human Mammary Tumor Cells Expressing High Levels of the Translation Initiation Factor eIF4E

Two technical hurdles, gene delivery and target specificity, have hindered the development of effective cancer gene therapies. In order to circumvent the problem of tumor specificity, the suicide gene, HSV-1 thymidine kinase (HSV-Tk), was modified with a complex 5' upstream-untranslated region (5'-UTR) that limits efficent translation to cells that express high levels of the translation initiation factor, eIF4E. Previous study data have shown that most tumor cells express elevated levels of eIF4E. Gene delivery was optimized by incorporation of the modified suicide gene (HSV-UTk) into an adenovirus vector (Ad) that infects a broad range of cells. The goal of this project in the development of Ad-HSV-UTk was to target infection of a broad population of cells and yet limit translation of the suicide gene to those cells expressing elevated levels of eIF4E. The efficacy of this novel approach of targeting suicide gene expression and cytotoxicity by means of translational restriction was tested in vitro with the use of the human mammary tumor cells [MCF-7, MDA-MB435, ZR 75-1, MCF-10A and MCF10A cells that over express eIF4E (MCF10A-4E)], as well as primary cultures of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) and human mammary stromal cells (HMSC) that express relatively low levels of eIF4E. Real time rt-PCR was used to quantify transcription levels of HSV-Tk for both Ad-HSV-Tk and Ad-HSV-UTk infected cells, as well as the translation initiation factor eIF4E. Translation of HSV-Tk in both Ad-HSV-Tk and Ad-HSV-UTk infected cells was measured by Western blot analysis. In addition, cytotoxicity was determined by assessing cell viability following treatment with the prodrug GCV in Ad-HSV-Tk and Ad-HSV-UTk infected cells with the use of the reductase activity indicator MTT. These data demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity for the Ad-HSV-UTk /GCV treatment in high eIF4E expressing cells compared to low eIF4E expressing cells, whereas the Ad-HSV-Tk/GCV treatment showed similar cytotoxicity in both high and low eIF4E expressing cells. These results indicate that translational targeting of suicide gene expression in tumor cells in vitro is effective and may provide a platform for enhanced cancer gene therapy specificity in vivo.

Oxide-ion conducting ceramics for solid oxide fuel cells

Realization of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operating at 700°C on a hydrocarbon fuel or gaseous H2 is an outstanding technical target. For the past 25 years, efforts to achieve this goal have been based on yttria-stabilized zirconia as the electrolyte, a NiO + electrolyte composite as the anode, a porous La0.85Sr0.15MnO3 (LSM) metallic perovskite as the cathode, and a La1−xSrxCrO3 ceramic as the interconnect material. This paper reviews progress in our laboratory on an alternate approach that would use a Sr- and Mg- doped LaGaO3 perovskite as the electrolyte, a Sm-doped ceria (SDC) as the anode or as a buffer layer with a NiO + SDC composite as the anode, a mixed oxide-ion/electronic conductor (MIEC) as the cathode, and a stainless steel as the metallic interconnect.

98/03302 Considerations of latent heat storage systems for space cooling: Yamaha, M. Air Cond. High Rise Build. '97, Int. Symp., 1997, 2, 436–441

A heat storage system is one of the best ways of peak shift. The customer can take advantage of cheap electric charge at night. As the demand peak occurs in summer season, an ice storage system becomes popular. The COP of an ice storage system become lower because of its low evaporative temperature and it needs plant replacements for exiting buildings. Phase change materials (PCMs) having higher melting point than ice will be preferable for small existing buildings. In this study, considerations of latent heat storage system using PCM was made. Considering the melting point and the heat of fusion of PCM materials, the location of PCM tanks were proposed. The experiments that investigated thermal characteristics of a PCM material for space cooling were conducted. The possibilities and technical target of PCM were discussed.

超高速長距離フェリーの推進機関の概要

The Long-Distance Ferries, Suzuran and Suisen, have been developed by IHI for delivery to Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd. Two main engines of DU-S.E.M.T-Pielstick 18 PC 4-2 B medium speed diesel engines were installed for main propulsion system. These engines have the highest output/set among the existing medium speed engines in the world, which enabled realization of excellent propulsive performance to have a service speed of 29.4 knots. The ships have been placed into daily service, which reduced one round trip from three days to two days, on the Tsuruga-Otaru route as originally planned. The economical and technical target of this development have been proven to success through the commercial operation during five months after delivery.

Low Temperature Catalytic Oxidation of Voc's: Pilot Plant Studies

Low temperature catalytic oxidation was studied at pilot plant scale to destroy benzene-toluene-xylenes (BTX) from air after air stripping of contaminated groundwater. This technique successfully handled wide variations of benzene concentrations between 5–111 mg Nm−3. It consistently oxidised benzene at 265°C to concentrations below the technical target of 5 mg Nm−3. Costs studies indicate that the treatment costs with low temperature catalytic oxidation are lower than those with the alternative technology of adsorption on activated carbon for air flowrates above 1,000 Nm3 h−1.

Low Temperature Catalytic Oxidation of Voc's: Pilot Plant Studies

Low temperature catalytic oxidation was studied at pilot plant scale to destroy benzene-toluene-xylenes (BTX) from air after air stripping of contaminated groundwater. This technique successfully handled wide variations of benzene concentrations between 5–111 mg Nm−3. It consistently oxidised benzene at 265°C to concentrations below the technical target of 5 mg Nm−3. Costs studies indicate that the treatment costs with low temperature catalytic oxidation are lower than those with the alternative technology of adsorption on activated carbon for air flowrates above 1,000 Nm3 h−1.