Establishing maintenance intervals based on measurement reliability of engineering endpoints

Methods developed by the metrological community and principles used by the research community were integrated to provide a basis for a periodic maintenance interval analysis system. Engineering endpoints are used as measurement attributes on which to base two primary quality indicators: accuracy and reliability. Also key to establishing appropriate maintenance intervals is the ability to recognize two primary failure modes: random failure and time-related failure. The primary objective of the maintenance program is to avert predictable and preventable device failure, and understanding time-related failures enables service personnel to set intervals accordingly.     

Workflow management system based on WEB technology

Through the analysis of workflow management system based on Web, the work, following WFMC workflow model, proposed a universal workflow management system with the combination of specific application requirements of enterprises. Workflow management system based on Web was described from system function, software structure, system structure, workflow engine and security. The actual case of the design of aeronautical structure showed that workflow system performance can be greatly improved by using Web technology.     

The essential characteristics of a rating system

The principles of the Tanner-Whitehouse-Healy system for assessing skeletal maturity will be described and in particular the statistical basis for the scores given to each stage of each bone in the hand and wrist. The uses of the system, particularly in clinical cases, will be discussed together with reliability of the ratings. A revised system will be presented in which a part of the stages are amalgamated and the possibility of dropping some of the bones will be discussed. General discussion will be invited on the logical basis for selecting certain stages of certain bones as superior to others as assessors of maturity.     

Dohko: an autonomic system for provision,configuration, and management of inter-cloud environments based on a software product line engineering method

Configuring and executing applications across multiple clouds is a challenging task due to the various terminologies used by the cloud providers. Therefore, we advocate the use of autonomic systems to do this work automatically. Thus, in this paper, we propose and evaluate Dohko, an autonomic and goal-oriented system for inter-cloud environments. Dohko implements self-configuration, self-healing, and context-awareness properties. Likewise, it relies on a hierarchical P2P overlay (a) to manage the  virtual machines running on the clouds and (b) to deal with inter-cloud communication. Furthermore, it depends on a software product line engineering method to enable applications’ deployment and reconfiguration, without requiring pre-configured virtual machine images. Experimental results show that Dohko can free the users from the duty of executing non-native cloud application on single and over many clouds. In particular, it tackles the lack of middleware prototypes that can support different scenarios when using simultaneous services from multiple clouds.     

Towards an integrated management system based on abstraction of heterogeneous virtual resources

Virtualization technology reduces the costs for server installation, operation, and maintenance and it can simplify development of distributed systems. Currently, there are various virtualization technologies such as Xen, KVM, VMware, and etc, and all these technologies support various virtualization functions individually on the heterogeneous platforms. Therefore, it is important to be able to integrate and manage these heterogeneous virtualized resources in order to develop distributed systems based on the current virtualization techniques. This paper presents an integrated management system that is able to provide information for the usage of heterogeneous virtual resources and also to control them. The main focus of the system is to abstract various virtual resources and to reconfigure them flexibly. For this, an integrated management system has been developed and implemented based on a libvirt-based virtualization API and data distribution service (DDS).     

Organ engineering based on decellularized matrix scaffolds

End-organ failure is one of the major healthcare challenges in the Western world. Yet, donor organ shortage and the need for immunosuppression limit the impact of transplantation. The regeneration of whole organs could theoretically overcome these hurdles. Early milestones have been met by combining stem and progenitor cells with increasingly complex scaffold materials and culture conditions. Because the native extracellular matrix (ECM) guides organ development, repair and physiologic regeneration, it provides a promising alternative to synthetic scaffolds and a foundation for regenerative efforts. Perfusion decellularization is a novel technology that generates native ECM scaffolds with intact 3D anatomical architecture and vasculature. This review summarizes achievements to date and discusses the role of native ECM scaffolds in organ regeneration.     

逆代谢工程——基于有用表型的定向遗传工程策略

代谢工程分为推理性代谢工程和逆代谢工程,逆代谢工程是避开对代谢网络充分认识的一种全新的遗传工程。本简要介绍了逆代谢工程的策略,并以实例详细分析了逆代谢工程的具体应用,最后,分析了逆代谢工程的问题和发展前景。     

A web based relational database management system for filariasis control

The present study describes a RDBMS (relational database management system) for the effective management of Filariasis, a vector borne disease. Filariasis infects 120 million people from 83 countries. The possible re-emergence of the disease and the complexity of existing control programs warrant the development of new strategies. A database containing comprehensive data associated with filariasis finds utility in disease control. We have developed a database containing information on the socio-economic status of patients, mosquito collection procedures, mosquito dissection data, filariasis survey report and mass blood data. The database can be searched using a user friendly web interface.

Availability     

Evaluation of computer based clinical decision support system and risk chart for management of hypertension in primary care: randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of a computer based clinical decision support system and a risk chart on absolute cardiovascular risk, blood pressure, and prescribing of cardiovascular drugs in hypertensive patients.DesignCluster randomised controlled trial.Setting27 general practices in Avon.Participants614 patients aged between 60 and 79 years with high blood pressure.InterventionsPatients were randomised to computer based clinical decision support system plus cardiovascular risk chart; cardiovascular risk chart alone; or usual care.ResultsPatients in the computer based clinical decision support system and chart only groups were no more likely to have cardiovascular risk reduced to below 10% than patients receiving usual care. Patients in the computer based clinical decision support group were more likely to have a cardiovascular risk ⩾10% than chart only patients, odds ratio 2.3 (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 4.8). The chart only group had significantly lower systolic blood pressure compared with the usual care group (difference in means −4.6 mm Hg (95% confidence interval −8.4 to −0.8)). Reduction of diastolic blood pressure did not differ between the three groups. The chart only group were twice as likely to be prescribed two classes of cardiovascular drugs and over three times as likely to be prescribed three or more classes of drugs compared with the other groups.ConclusionsThe computer based clinical decision support system did not confer any benefit in absolute risk reduction or blood pressure control and requires further development and evaluation before use in clinical care can be recommended. Use of chart guidelines are associated with a potentially important reduction in systolic blood pressure.     

基于Web的基因组序列数据库管理系统的设计与实现

设计一种基于网络的可用来存储和注释海量DNA数据的数据库模型。整个过程分为三部分：首先是构建数据库框架,然后对原始基因组序列数据进行批量注释并输出有效格式导入数据库,最后通过一个友好的用户交互界面,实现对基因组数据的在线读取,查询,注释等操作。设计的数据库用于解决大量产生并有待分析的基因组序列的有效存储和管理问题。     

Metabolic engineering based on systems biology for chemicals production

Microorganisms have been the main sources for the production of chemicals. Production of chemicals requires the development of low-cost and higher-yield processes. Towards this goal, microbial strains with higher levels of production should be first considered. Metabolic engineering has been used extensively over the past two to three decades to increase production of these chemicals. Advances in omics technology and computational simulation are allowing us to perform metabolic engineering at the systems level. By combining the results of omics analyses and computational simulation, systems biology allows us to understand cellular physiology and characteristics, which can subsequently be used for designing strategies. Here, we review the current status of metabolic engineering based on systems biology for chemical production and discuss future prospects.     

基于CAN总线结构的X线机设计

X线机设备结构复杂,控制繁琐,导致可靠性较差;而控制器局域网络(Controller Area Network,CAN)具有实时性强、可靠性高、通信速率快、结构简单,总线协议具有完善的错误处理机制、灵活性高等特点。由此本文提出一种基于CAN总线结构的X线机设计方案,并实现了基于CAN的束光器控制器的设计。基于CAN总线结构的X线机不仅减少了硬件的接口和通信线,而且能提高设备模块之间的数据交换能力和设备的抗干扰能力,并改善设备的性能。     

A note on one-sided tests with multiple endpoints

Testing problems with multivariate one-sided alternative hypotheses are common in clinical trials with multiple endpoints. In the case of comparing two treatments, treatment 1 is often preferred if it is superior for at least one of the endpoints and not biologically inferior for the remaining endpoints. Bloch et al. (2001, Biometrics57, 1039-1047) propose an intersection-union test (IUT) for this testing problem, but their test does not utilize the appropriate multivariate one-sided test. In this note we modify their test by an alternative IUT that does utilize the appropriate one-sided test. Empirical and graphical evidence show that the proposed test is more appropriate for this testing problem.     

Metabolic engineering based on systems biology for chemicals production

Microorganisms have been the main sources for the production of chemicals. Production of chemicals requires the development of low-cost and higher-yield processes. Towards this goal, microbial strains with higher levels of production should be first considered. Metabolic engineering has been used extensively over the past two to three decades to increase production of these chemicals. Advances in omics technology and computational simulation are allowing us to perform metabolic engineering at the systems level. By combining the results of omics analyses and computational simulation, systems biology allows us to understand cellular physiology and characteristics, which can subsequently be used for designing strategies. Here, we review the current status of metabolic engineering based on systems biology for chemical production and discuss future prospects.     

Critical power can be estimated from nonexhaustive tests based on rating of perceived exertion responses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel procedure, based on the perceived exertion threshold (PET) concept, involving non-exhaustive tests (PET14-17) to estimate critical power (CP), as well as to examine the reproducibility of these indices. Twenty young men performed 2 trials (Trial 1 and Trial 2) of 4 exhaustive predictive tests to estimate CP, PET, and PET14-17. The slope coefficients of the regression lines corresponding to the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) versus time relationship (y axis) obtained during the predictive tests were plotted against the power outputs (x axis) to estimate PET. PET was calculated as the intersection point of the regression line in the power axis. The 14-17 RPE range of each predictive test was modeled using the same mathematical procedures used to estimate PET14-17. CP was derived from the power-time hyperbolic equation. Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences among CP (189-194 W), PET (190-191 W) and PET14-17, (191-195 W). The correlations between CP and PET (r = 0.87), CP and PET14-17 (r = 0.89), and PET and PET14-17 (r = 0.88) were all strong. Additionally, the bias +/- limits of agreement when plotting CP and PET was -2.16 +/- 31.60 W, and -5.70 +/- 31.21 W when comparing CP and PET14-17. Relatively high reproducibility levels of CP (ICC = 0.96), PET (ICC = 0.85) and PET14-17 (ICC = 0.83) were recorded in the test-retest fashion. It can be concluded that the PET14-17 can be utilized with relatively high accuracy and reproducibility to estimate CP without causing exhaustion in the subjects.     

Rhizosphere engineering and management for sustainable agriculture

This paper reviews strategies for manipulating plants and their root-associated microorganisms to improve plant health and productivity. Some strategies directly target plant processes that impact on growth, while others are based on our knowledge of interactions among the components of the rhizosphere (roots, microorganisms and soil). For instance, plants can be engineered to modify the rhizosphere pH or to release compounds that improve nutrient availability, protect against biotic and abiotic stresses, or encourage the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms. Rhizobacteria that promote plant growth have been engineered to interfere with the synthesis of stress-induced hormones such as ethylene, which retards root growth, and to produce antibiotics and lytic enzymes active against soilborne root pathogens. Rhizosphere engineering also can involve the selection by plants of beneficial microbial populations. For example, some crop species or cultivars select for and support populations of antibiotic-producing strains that play a major role in soils naturally suppressive to soil-borne fungal pathogens. The fitness of root-associated bacterial communities also can be enhanced by soil amendment, a process that has allowed the selection of bacterial consortia that can interfere with bacterial pathogens. Plants also can be engineered specifically to influence their associated bacteria, as exemplified by quorum quenching strategies that suppress the virulence of pathogens of the genus Pectobacterium. New molecular tools and powerful biotechnological advances will continue to provide a more complete knowledge of the complex chemical and biological interactions that occur in the rhizosphere, ensuring that strategies to engineer the rhizosphere are safe, beneficial to productivity, and substantially improve the sustainability of agricultural systems.