Appropriate Methodologies to Better Measure Consumer Preferences for Postal Services

This report summarises work undertaken testing the use of stated preference discrete choice experiments to measure consumer preferences for postal services. It discusses the importance of understanding and quantifying consumer priorities in the postal sector and presents different methods used for valuing non-market goods. We recommend the use of stated preference discrete choice experiments, and test the use of this approach in three member states. We provide the findings for these member states, as well as a “tool kit” for applying this methodology in other member states in future.Consumer preferences, postal services, discrete choice, two-sided market

Retrieval of NO2 Column Amounts from Ground-Based Hyperspectral Imaging Sensor Measurements

Total column amounts of NO2 (TCN) were estimated from ground-based hyperspectral imaging sensor (HIS) measurements in a polluted urban area (Seoul, Korea) by applying the radiance ratio fitting method with five wavelength pairs from 400 to 460 nm. We quantified the uncertainty of the retrieved TCN based on several factors. The estimated TCN uncertainty was up to 0.09 Dobson unit (DU), equivalent to 2.687 ?? 1020 molecules m???2) given a 1?? error for the observation geometries, including the solar zenith angle, viewing zenith angle, and relative azimuth angle. About 0.1 DU (6.8%) was estimated for an aerosol optical depth (AOD) uncertainty of 0.01. In addition, the uncertainty due to the NO2 vertical profile was 14% to 22%. Compared with the co-located Pandora spectrophotometer measurements, the HIS captured the temporal variation of the TCN during the intensive observation period. The correlation between the TCN from the HIS and Pandora also showed good agreement, with a slight positive bias (bias: 0.6 DU, root mean square error: 0.7 DU)

Enhancing mechanical properties of a low-carbon microalloyed cast steel by controlled heat treatment

In the present work, detailed studies were made on the optimization of microstructure and mechanical properties of a low-carbon microalloyed cast steel through control of heat treatment conditions. Specimens were austenitized at temperatures ranging from 950 to 1200 °C for 2 h followed by different cooling methods (furnace, air and water). For analyzing the effect of holding time on mechanical properties, some cast specimens were austenitized at 1100 °C for different times followed by furnace cooling. After heat treatment, mechanical tests were employed to evaluate the room temperature Charpy impact and tensile properties. The characterization of complex precipitates formed during heat treatment process was investigated by using analytical electron microscopy. The results show that dissolution of vanadium-containing precipitates plays an important role in the abnormal growth of austenite grains at 1150 °C. Further growth in austenite grains at 1200 °C is caused by the dissolution of Ti-containing particles and the reduction of the amount of precipitates. Correct selection of the austenitizing temperature, holding time and cooling method is very important to improve the mechanical properties of the steel. Heat treatment at 1100 °C for 2 h followed by furnace cooling leads to the best combination of excellent Charpy impact and tensile properties

(S)-[5-Methyl-3-(3-methyl­thio­phen-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro­isoxazol-5-yl]methanol

In the title compound, C10H13NO2S, the thio­phene and isoxazoline rings are almost coplanar, the dihedral angle between their least-squares planes being 2.08 (1)°. The O—H atoms of the methyl hy­droxy group and the N atom of the isoxazole ring are orientated in the same direction to allow for the formation of inter­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds that lead to a supra­molecular chain along the a axis

A case of partial trisomy 3p syndrome with rare clinical manifestations

Partial trisomy 3p results from either unbalanced translocation or de novo duplication. Common clinical features consist of dysmorphic facial features, congenital heart defects, psychomotor and mental retardation, abnormal muscle tone, and hypoplastic genitalia. In this paper, we report a case of partial trisomy 3p with rare clinical manifestations. A full-term, female newborn was transferred to our clinic. She had cleft lip-plate, dysgenesis of the corpus callosum, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension, and severe right-sided hydronephrosis, associated with ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Cytogenetic investigation revealed partial trisomy 3p; 46,XX,der(4)t(3;4) (p21.1;p16). The karyotype of her father showed a balanced translocation, t(3;4)(p21.1;p16). Therefore, the size of duplication can be an important factor

Segmental duodenectomy with duodenojejunostomy of gastrointestinal stromal tumor involving the duodenum

Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are uncommon and a relatively small subset of GISTs whose optimal surgical procedure has not been well defined. Because submucosal spread and local lymph node involvement is infrequent in GISTs, wide margins with routine lymph node dissection may not be required. Various techniques of limited resection for duodenal GISTs have been described depending on the site and the size of the tumors. In this study, we report two cases of GIST involving the third and fourth portion of the duodenum successfully treated by segmental duodenectomy with end-to-end duodenojejunostomy. This technique should be considered as a treatment option for GIST located at the third and fourth portion of the duodenum

COMPARISON OF GAIT ANALYSIS BETWEEN ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS PATIENTS AND AGE MATCHED CONTROLS

The purpose of this study was to compare kinematic variables and surface EMG values between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients and age matched controls during a gait. Six male patients and five male healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Six cameras were used for 3D motion capture and selected joint angles were computed. Eight pairs of surface EMG electrodes were placed on latissimus dorsi, psoas, glutaeus medius, and biceps femoris. Results revealed that the scoliosis patients showed smaller hip joint angles compared to the values of the controls and vice versa for the trunk tilting angle. Small EMG activity of latissimus dorsi also found from the patient group. This meant that the scoliosis clearly influenced to the abnormal posture during a gait. Such results may be helpful to develop rehabilitation exercise or device

Frequency and clinical implications of the isolation of rare nontuberculous mycobacteria

Background: To date, more than 125 species of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have been identified. In this study, we investigated the frequency and clinical implication of the rarely isolated NTM from respiratory specimens. Methods: Patients with NTM isolated from their respiratory specimens between July 1, 2010 and June 31, 2012 were screened for inclusion. Rare NTM were defined as those NTM not falling within the group of eight NTM species commonly identified at our institution: Mycobacterium avium, M. intracellulare, M. abscessus, M. massiliense, M. fortuitum, M. kansasii, M. gordonae, and M. peregrinum. Clinical, radiographic and microbiological data from patients with rare NTM were reviewed and analyzed. Results: During the study period, 73 rare NTM were isolated from the respiratory specimens of 68 patients. Among these, M. conceptionense was the most common (nine patients, 12.3%). The median age of the 68 patients with rare NTM was 68 years, while 39 of the patients were male. Rare NTM were isolated only once in majority of patient (64 patients, 94.1%). Among the four patients from whom rare NTM were isolated two or more times, only two showed radiographic aggravation caused by rare NTM during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Most of the rarely identified NTM species were isolated from respiratory specimens only once per patient, without concomitant clinical aggravation. Clinicians could therefore observe such patients closely without invasive work-ups or treatment, provided the patients do not have decreased host immunity towards mycobacteriaPeer Reviewe