Simulation of Scoliosis Treatment Using a Brace

Ivo Maoík M.D. has treated many child patients with scoliosis at the "Centre for Locomotor Defects", Olšanská 7, 130 00 Prague 3. The author has cooperated with him, and composed the computer program for the spine stress state under brace effects and for simulating scoliosis treatment. The program simulates the spinal curve remodelling in time for a specific child patients, and the algorithm for stress state calculation and treatment simulation is given.Orthopaedists in the Czech Republic use Cheneau-type or Cerny-type corrective braces. The brace exerts force effects on the skeleton of a child. The brace is made individually for each patient, in the following way: first, a negative plaster form of the child`s trunk is made, and then the positive plaster form is created. The orthopaedist determines the places where brace has to load the patient`s trunk, and the plaster form deepened in these places on the basis of his advice. The laminate brace made according to this plaster form constricts the child`s trunk (like a tight shoe).This paper shows how the stress state is determined in vertebrae and in inter-vertebral discs, and the solution of spinal curvature correction under brace force effects for a specific child patient. The project aims to find the dependence of the activation and velocity of spinal curvature correction in the spinal stress state for many patients. The paper shows the computing algorithms for spinal deformations and the stress state under brace force effects, and a simulation of spinal curvature correction.Spinal curvature is determined according to measured values on an X-ray of a patient before a brace is applied. The stress state in the spine and the spinal deformation are investigated by the finite element method as beam (spine) in an elastic ground (soft tissue). Two algorithms are used. The first algorithm deals with the spine above and below the soft tissues, and it is loaded by given displacements of the trunk surface. The second algorithm determines from the X-ray of a patient with and without a brace the spine deformation and the spine stress state, and the necessary trunk surface displacement is determined from this deformation.The calculation algorithm and parameters were compared with contest of treatment. The trunk surface load was checked by sensor that plates were placed into the braces to measure the load values between the brace and the surface of the child. The simulation program assesses the spinal curvature correction according to the spinal curvature type, the spinal stress state and the period of time for which the brace will be applied

The history of degenerate (bipartite) extremal graph problems

This paper is a survey on Extremal Graph Theory, primarily focusing on the case when one of the excluded graphs is bipartite. On one hand we give an introduction to this field and also describe many important results, methods, problems, and constructions.Comment: 97 pages, 11 figures, many problems. This is the preliminary version of our survey presented in Erdos 100. In this version 2 only a citation was complete

Analysis of the main causes of traffic problems in cities

The current state of mobility in our cities is still showing worse and worse transport, security and environmental conditions. The most common problem of traffic services in cities is the inability to arrange the conditions for the transport of persons and the transport of goods and services. Inappropriate conditions are evident mainly in traffic congestion, which cause significant time losses for all users of the means of transport (mass transport of persons is not exemption). The daily practice proves that one of the crucial conditions not only for the satisfaction of the inhabitants, but also for the city’s own functionality is the high-quality, fast, safe and dynamic transport and also parking on its territory. Increasing and widespread traffic collapse in cities is caused by two factors. The first is an enormous increase in car traffic which significantly limiting other types of transport. The second is an inappropriate localization of various activities and facilities. Unregulated urban development is caused by disregarding the landuse plan and cities have unregulated construction. This results in inadequate traffic requirements in specific areas, which significantly exceed the capacities of transport communications. In our papers are described mentioned problems and, as a deterrent example, we introduce the city of Žilina

Ensuring quality control during determination of PBC in beer, using statistic control of surrogate standard.

In the framework of a good laboratory praxis the emphasis is placed to the quality of reproducible results. For this reason are very useful methods of mathematical statistics, which in the form of regulating diagrams, can help to the speed identification of that results, which are outside the required tolerances. There are a lot of various samples used for statistical regulation. One possibility how to control the efficiency of whole analytic process, from prepearing to the final determination, is using of surrogate standard. For PCB determination in various types of water were found as a surrogate standard following two compounds: 2,4,5,6-tetrachlor-m-xylen and decachlorbifenyl. Above mentioned compounds were examined during relativly complicated of PCB in beer. The concentration was determined by Shewhart's diagrams for individual values and sliding span according to standard ČSN ISO 8258. This example of PCB determination in beer indicates the possibility to use surrogate standards as a powerful instrument for determination of results quality.In the framework of a good laboratory praxis the emphasis is placed to the quality of reproducible results. For this reason are very useful methods of mathematical statistics, which in the form of regulating diagrams, can help to the speed identification of that results, which are outside the required tolerances. There are a lot of various samples used for statistical regulation. One possibility how to control the efficiency of whole analytic process, from prepearing to the final determination, is using of surrogate standard. For PCB determination in various types of water were found as a surrogate standard following two compounds: 2,4,5,6-tetrachlor-m-xylen and decachlorbifenyl. Above mentioned compounds were examined during relativly complicated of PCB in beer. The concentration was determined by Shewhart's diagrams for individual values and sliding span according to standard ČSN ISO 8258. This example of PCB determination in beer indicates the possibility to use surrogate standards as a powerful instrument for determination of results quality

Modern Methods for Evaluation of Sensorial Analyse Results.

One of the most important natures of beer quality is its  organoleptic character. Generally, this character is  evaluated through tasting of beer by degustation commissions.  It has been proved, however, that the common way of  evaluation of the sensorial analyse results, as virtually  performed, is deficient. The introduction in practice of  personal computers has now enabled to use modern methods for  processing the results in order to obtain maximum information  of them. The aim of the lecture is to show how to disclose  the secrecy concealed in the results of the sensoric analyse  data. By using simple statistic methods, it is possible not  only to consider and compare types of beer but even to  evaluate the capacity and effort of degustators. The obtained  results enable to make conclusions of how to improve the  operation of degustation commissions in future. One of the most important natures of beer quality is its  organoleptic character. Generally, this character is  evaluated through tasting of beer by degustation commissions.  It has been proved, however, that the common way of  evaluation of the sensorial analyse results, as virtually  performed, is deficient. The introduction in practice of  personal computers has now enabled to use modern methods for  processing the results in order to obtain maximum information  of them. The aim of the lecture is to show how to disclose  the secrecy concealed in the results of the sensoric analyse  data. By using simple statistic methods, it is possible not  only to consider and compare types of beer but even to  evaluate the capacity and effort of degustators. The obtained  results enable to make conclusions of how to improve the  operation of degustation commissions in future

Influence of utilized fermentation method on change of analytic and sensoric beer profile.

The aim of the work was to study the influence of the used yeast strain on the analytic and sensoric profile of beer in dependence of the technologic method. A serie of pilot-plant brews was carried out where every brew differed in compliance with the employed yeast strain (the strains Nos. 95, 7, 2 and 96 were utilized) in combination with the cold classical system fermenting plant-cellar, warm classical system fermenting plant-cellar, cold single-phase system in cylindro-conical fermenter, warm single-phase system in cylindro-conical fermenter, and two-phase system in cylindro-conical fermenter-cellar. The study was completed by a production test where two groups of plant beers, produced in cylindro-conical frementer and using two different yeast strains (Nos. 95, and 7), were compared. The results were processed by statistic methods (analysis of variance, factor analysis, and cluster analysis). The work presents a detailed documentation on factors that influence the respective analytic or sensoric parameters. The selection of the yeast strain and of the employed technology (classical system, intensified fermentation, different temperature) may regulate the analytic and sensoric parameters of the final product.(In Czech, English summary only

Uncertainty in Measuring - Its Assessment and Interpretation.

The increasing demands on the quality of results provided by  the accredited test laboratories breed some new obligations.  One of them is to fulfil the European norm EN 45 001 (General  criteria for operation of test laboratories) that requires  that the reports issued by the test laboratories include the  indications of uncertainty in measuring and further  determines that the quantitative results must be shown with  calculated or estimated uncertainty.  For setting of the uncertainty values, there is a serie of  good reasons. Apart of the fact that the uncertainty of  results is a quantitative sign of its quality, its indication  allows at the same time to compare with each other even the  results of different laboratories or the results obtained by  the same laboratory. Moreover, this indication enables to the  client to compare the result stated in the report, for  instance, with the reference values or norms and to interpret  correctly the data ranging in the area of limiting values.  The main contents of the publication is the interpretation of  concepts, their classification and the principles for their  operation. It contains detailed methods of uncertainty  estimation as well as principles of their correct  interpretation. A practical case demonstrates thewa procedure  of assessment of uncertainties in a complicated analytical  procedure.The increasing demands on the quality of results provided by  the accredited test laboratories breed some new obligations.  One of them is to fulfil the European norm EN 45 001 (General  criteria for operation of test laboratories) that requires  that the reports issued by the test laboratories include the  indications of uncertainty in measuring and further  determines that the quantitative results must be shown with  calculated or estimated uncertainty.  For setting of the uncertainty values, there is a serie of  good reasons. Apart of the fact that the uncertainty of  results is a quantitative sign of its quality, its indication  allows at the same time to compare with each other even the  results of different laboratories or the results obtained by  the same laboratory. Moreover, this indication enables to the  client to compare the result stated in the report, for  instance, with the reference values or norms and to interpret  correctly the data ranging in the area of limiting values.  The main contents of the publication is the interpretation of  concepts, their classification and the principles for their  operation. It contains detailed methods of uncertainty  estimation as well as principles of their correct  interpretation. A practical case demonstrates thewa procedure  of assessment of uncertainties in a complicated analytical  procedure

Application of Gel-Permeation Chromatography for Determination of Organic Pollutants in Brewing Barley.

A  method   was  developed  that   enables,  within  one extraction  step,  to  determine  nine  polycyclic  aromatic hydrocarbons    (PAH)   -    benzo(a)anthracene,   chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene,  benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene,    indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene,dibenzo(a, i)pyrene,   dibenzo(a,h)pyrene   -   and   seven  indicating congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls  (PCB) - congeners of No. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180 - in vegetable matrixes, mainly in  barley and malt.  The assay process  includes the description of  extraction and purification  of the acquired extract by means of the gel-permeation chromatography method with   the  use   of  gel   on  the   basis  of  polymer  of styrenedivinylbenzene   (Bio-Beads  SX-3).In   this  way  an extract   is   obtained   of   sufficient   purity  for  the determination of  both PAH and  PCB. The final  assay of PAH was  carried  out  by  the  method  of high-efficient liquid chromatography and  the assay of  PCB by gas  chromatography using the electron capture detector. All analytes can be set in microgram amounts with a relative authoritative deviation < 25 %.     The study contains characteristics of the method for all stipulated substances and speciment chromatograms.A  method   was  developed  that   enables,  within  one extraction  step,  to  determine  nine  polycyclic  aromatic hydrocarbons    (PAH)   -    benzo(a)anthracene,   chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene,  benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene,    indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene,dibenzo(a, i)pyrene,   dibenzo(a,h)pyrene   -   and   seven  indicating congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls  (PCB) - congeners of No. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180 - in vegetable matrixes, mainly in  barley and malt.  The assay process  includes the description of  extraction and purification  of the acquired extract by means of the gel-permeation chromatography method with   the  use   of  gel   on  the   basis  of  polymer  of styrenedivinylbenzene   (Bio-Beads  SX-3).In   this  way  an extract   is   obtained   of   sufficient   purity  for  the determination of  both PAH and  PCB. The final  assay of PAH was  carried  out  by  the  method  of high-efficient liquid chromatography and  the assay of  PCB by gas  chromatography using the electron capture detector. All analytes can be set in microgram amounts with a relative authoritative devia