Quasi Multiplication and K-groups

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9001075&fileId=S1446788712000584We give a negative answer to the question raised by Mart Abel about whether his proposed definition of K0 and K1 groups in terms of quasi multiplication is indeed equivalent to the established ones in algebraic K-theory

Optimized Use Of Water From Multiple Sources In Micro Water Grid Systems: A Modeling Approach

Micro water grid (MWG) is a novel approach to allow high reliability, diversification of water sources, low energy consumption, and cost reduction. Although it is not well-defined, it has potential for efficient management of urban water. MWG is suitable for use in small-scale buildings and towns, which have various uses of water produced from multiple source waters. Accordingly, design of MWG is challenging without proper tools to predict its performance. This research focused on the development and application of a model for optimized use of water from multiple sources in MWG systems. The model was comprised of two modules including strategy identification and mass balance calculator. The former assists in identifying strategy under the given natural and infrastructural conditions. The latter helps to determine water demand/supply and dimension of the water treatment system. Water from various sources including tap water, ground water, rainwater, reclaimed water, and desalinated water was considered in the model. The model and its graphic user interface (GUI) were built under the Matlab environment. Results show that the simulation model was found to be effective to optimize the performance of MWG. Based on the sensitivity analysis of the model, factors affecting the effectiveness of MWG could be identified. Moreover, this model was applied to design a pilot-scale MWG system in a building, predict its water quantity and water quality, and estimate the specific energy consumption. ACKNOWLEDGEMNET This research was supported by a grant (12-TI-C01) from Advanced Water Management Research Program funded by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Korean government

Development Of A Model-Based Decision Support System For Water Treatment In Smart Micro Water Grid

Micro water grid (MWG) is an emerging concept for decentralized water management system for residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings. MWG achieves specific local goals, such as reliability, diversification of water sources, and cost reduction. Unlike micro electricity grid, MWG has not been well-established, leading to a problem of initial design and operation. Thus, a MWG system requires a “smart” infrastructure that allows autonomous control and regulation. In this study, a decision support system (DSS) was designed to select optimum combinations of water treatment unit processes in MWG. To begin, key questions on water treatment in MWG systems were identified. Then, the knowledge-based system was developed based on the inputs from experts in related research fields and the prediction of treatment efficiency from theoretical model. A series of experiments were carried out to obtain the model parameters for each unit process (i.e. media filtration, microfiltration, GAC, nanofiltration, chlorination, UV). The flow chart for decision making was created and revised upon considering virtually all possible situations in MWG. As the final step, a web-based system was developed and implemented. Although it is a first version of DSS for MWG, it has potential for an increase in the efficiency of water treatment under various situations. ACKNOWLEDGEMNET This research was supported by a grant (12-TI-C01) from Advanced Water Management Research Program funded by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Korean government

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Cognition, Mood, Daily Functioning, and Imaging Findings from a Small Pilot Sample

Cerebral small vessel disease, a leading cause of cognitive decline, is considered a relatively homogeneous disease process, and it can co-occur with Alzheimer's disease. Clinical reports of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/computed tomography and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging and neuropsychology testing for a small pilot sample of 14 patients are presented to illustrate disease characteristics through findings from structural and functional imaging and cognitive assessment. Participants showed some decreases in executive functioning, attention, processing speed, and memory retrieval, consistent with previous literature. An older subgroup showed lower age-corrected scores at a single time point compared to younger participants. Performance on a computer-administered cognitive measure showed a slight overall decline over a period of 8–28 months. For a case study with mild neuropsychology findings, the MRI report was normal while the SPECT report identified perfusion abnormalities. Future research can test whether advances in imaging analysis allow for identification of cerebral small vessel disease before changes are detected in cognition

Two new species of centipedes, Lithobius keelungensis sp. nov. and Lithobius (Monotarsobius) qingquanensis sp. nov., from Taiwan (Chilopoda, Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae)

Male secondary sexual characters are diverse in Taiwanese Lithobius. We describe two new species with their male secondary sexual characters, Lithobius (Ezembius) keelungensis sp. nov. and Lithobius (Monotarsobius) qingquanensis sp. nov.. In L. (E.) keelungensis, male 14–15th femora and tibiae are markedly thick, the femora have a deep furrow on each dorsal surfaces, and the tibiae are oval, with a wide shallow excavation on each dorsal surfaces. In L. (M.) qingquanensis, a small wart-like outgrowth bearing about 15 slightly curved setae is present on the dorsoposterior surface of the male 15th femur

Primary Liver Abscess Caused by One Clone of Klebsiella pneumoniae with Two Colonial Morphotypes and Resistotypes

Two diabetic patients with primary liver abscess, who initially responded unsatisfactorily to intravenous ceftriaxone or cefoxitin treatment and had abscess drainage, were found to be infected with a single clone of Klebsiella pneumoniae with two different colonial morphotypes and resistotypes. Primary liver abscess caused by second-generation cephalosporin-resistant K. pneumoniae strains may be an emerging problem in Taiwan

Two new species of centipedes, Tygarrup daliensis sp. nov. (Mecistocephalidae) and Australobius cangshanensis sp. nov. (Lithobiidae), from Southwestern China

Two new species of Chilopoda from Yunnan Province, China, are described as new: Tygarrup daliensis sp. nov. (Geophilomorpha, Mecistocephalidae) and Australobius cangshanensis sp. nov. (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae). Tygarrup daliensis sp. nov. differs from other Tygarrup species by its each side of clypeal plagula with up to 15 se-tae, arranged in three irregular rows; labral posterior ala rough, with about 10 longitudinal slanting stripes near to mid-piece tooth; mandible with 9 pectinate dentate lamellae, 1st mandibular pectinate lamella bearing 6 teeth; each coxopleuron of last leg-bearing segments with about 50 pores of various size. Australobius cangshanensis sp. nov. is distinguished from congeners by a row of about 60 short setae transversely on each posterior part of 6th and 7th sternites; forcipular coxosternite with 7–10 coxosternal teeth, and porodonts between 5th and 6th or between 4th and 5th innermost teeth

Bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang in adult patients with tinnitus, a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled trial - study protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tinnitus is the perception of hearing a sound for which there is no external acoustic source. It is often associated with sudden, temporary hearing loss and has a clear impact on a patient's quality of life. Despite numerous trials, there are no treatments that can be considered well established in terms of providing replicable long-term tinnitus reduction. Complementary and alternative medical approaches have been employed to relieve symptoms of tinnitus. Bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang are among the most strongly preferred and widely used herbal medicines for tinnitus in Korea, as they cause very few serious adverse effects.</p> <p>We aim to establish basic clinical efficacy and safety data for bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang, which are approved as herbal medications by the Korea Food and Drug Administration in adult patients with tinnitus.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with three parallel arms (bojungikgitang, banhabaekchulchonmatang, and a placebo). Participants included in the study met the following criteria: typical conditions of intermittent or continuous tinnitus, for more than three months, with involuntary perceptions of the concept of a sound in the absence of an external source. Participants received bojungikgitang, banhabaekchulchonmatang, or a placebo-drug for eight weeks. The total duration of each arm was eleven weeks. Each participant was examined for signs and symptoms of tinnitus before and after taking medication. Post-treatment follow-up was performed two weeks after the final administration of medication.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This trial provided evidence for the efficacy and safety of bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang in adult patients with tinnitus. The primary outcome measure was the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, an assessment used to identify difficulties that may be experienced due to tinnitus. The secondary measures were included an Acoustic Examination and the Visual Analogue Scale. We employed the Euro-Qol 5-Dimension and the Health Utilities Index Mark 3, a health-related quality of life questionnaire. Safety was assessed by complete blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood chemistry, urine analysis, PA chest film, brain computed tomography, otologic examination, and vital signs.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN23691284</p

Antimicrobial Drug Resistance in Pathogens Causing Nosocomial Infections at a University Hospital in Taiwan, 1981-1999

To determine the distribution and antimicrobial drug resistance in bacterial pathogens causing nosocomial infections, surveillance data on nosocomial infections documented from 1981 to 1999 at National Taiwan University Hospital were analyzed. During this period, 35,580 bacterial pathogens causing nosocomial infections were identified. Candida species increased considerably, ranking first by 1999 in the incidence of pathogens causing all nosocomial infections, followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Candida species also increased in importance as bloodstream infection isolates, from 1.0% in 1981-1986 to 16.2% in 1999. The most frequent isolates from urinary tract infections were Candida species (23.6%), followed by Escherichia coli (18.6%) and P. aeruginosa (11.0%). P. aeruginosa remained the most frequent isolates for respiratory tract and surgical site infections in the past 13 years. A remarkable increase in incidence was found in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (from 4.3% in 1981-1986 to 58.9% in 1993-1998), cefotaxime-resistant E. coli (from 0% in 1981-1986 to 6.1% in 1993-1998), and cefotaxime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (from 4.0% in 1981-1986 to 25.8% in 1993-1998). Etiologic shifts in nosocomial infections and an upsurge of antimicrobial resistance among these pathogens, particularly those isolated from intensive care units, are impressive and alarming

Pandrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Causing Nosocomial Infections in a University Hospital, Taiwan

The rapid emergence (from 0% before 1998 to 6.5% in 2000) of pandrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (PDRAB) was noted in a university hospital in Taiwan. To understand the epidemiology of these isolates, we studied 203 PDRAB isolates, taken from January 1999 to April 2000: 199 from 73 hospitalized patients treated at different clinical settings in the hospital and 4 from environmental sites in an intensive-care unit. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) generated by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction of these 203 isolates showed 10 closely related genotypes (10 clones). One (clone 5), belonging to pulsotype E and RAPD pattern 5, predominated (64 isolates, mostly from patients in intensive care). Increasing use of carbapenems and ciprofloxacin (selective pressure) as well as clonal dissemination might have contributed to the wide spread of PDRAB in this hospital