Endoscopic inspection using a panoramic annular lens

The objective of this one year study was to design, build, and demonstrate a prototype system for cavity inspection. A cylindrical view of the cavity interior was captured in real time through a compound lens system consisting of a unique panoramic annular lens and a collector lens. Images, acquired with a digitizing camera and stored in a desktop computer, were manipulated using image processing software to aid in visual inspection and qualitative analysis. A detailed description of the lens and its applications is given

Endoscopic measurements using a panoramic annular lens

The objective of this project was to design, build, demonstrate, and deliver a prototype system for making measurements within cavities. The system was to utilize structured lighting as the means for making measurements and was to rely on a stationary probe, equipped with a unique panoramic annular lens, to capture a cylindrical view of the illuminated cavity. Panoramic images, acquired with a digitizing camera and stored in a desk top computer, were to be linearized and analyzed by mouse-driven interactive software

Застосування сервісно-орієнтованих архітектур у процесах інтеграції інформаційних ресурсів

Розглянуто окремі аспекти застосування сервісно-орієнтованої архітектури для рішення завдань горизонтальної інтеграції автономних інформаційних ресурсів.Рассмотрены отдельные аспекты использования сервисно-ориентированной архитектуры для решения задач горизонтальной интеграции автономных информационных ресурсов.Some issues of service-oriented architecture application for solving the task of autonomous information resources horizontal integration are considered

Executive function deficits in preschool children with ADHD and DBD

Background: Impairments in executive functions (EF) are consistently associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to a lesser extent, with disruptive behavior disorder (DBD), that is, oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder, in school-aged children. Recently, larger numbers of children with these disorders are diagnosed earlier in development, yet knowledge about impairments in clinically diagnosed preschool children and the role of comorbidity is limited. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine EF in clinically referred preschool children with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD, DBD and ADHD + DBD. Method: Participants were 202 children aged 3.5–5.5 years, 61 with ADHD only, 33 with DBD only, 52 with comorbid ADHD + DBD and 56 typically developing children. Five EF tasks were administered. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the two-factor model (inhibition and working memory) fit the data better than a one-factor model in this clinical sample. Preschoolers with ADHD displayed inhibition deficits, also after controlling for IQ. Likewise, preschoolers with DBD displayed impaired inhibition, but when IQ was controlled differences were carried mostly by the effect on the task where motivational demands were high (i.e. when tangible rewards were used). This pattern was also found in the interaction between ADHD and DBD; impaired inhibition in the comorbid group, however, was more severe than in the DBD group. Regarding working memory, few group differences were found. Conclusions: Clinically diagnosed preschool children with ADHD showed robust inhibition deficits, whereas preschool children with DBD showed impaired inhibition especially where motivational incentives were prominent. Severity of inhibition impairment in the comorbid group was similar to the ADHD group

Executive function deficits in preschool children with ADHD and DBD

Background: Impairments in executive functions (EF) are consistently associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to a lesser extent, with disruptive behavior disorder (DBD), that is, oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder, in school-aged children. Recently, larger numbers of children with these disorders are diagnosed earlier in development, yet knowledge about impairments in clinically diagnosed preschool children and the role of comorbidity is limited. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine EF in clinically referred preschool children with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD, DBD and ADHD + DBD. Method: Participants were 202 children aged 3.5–5.5 years, 61 with ADHD only, 33 with DBD only, 52 with comorbid ADHD + DBD and 56 typically developing children. Five EF tasks were administered. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the two-factor model (inhibition and working memory) fit the data better than a one-factor model in this clinical sample. Preschoolers with ADHD displayed inhibition deficits, also after controlling for IQ. Likewise, preschoolers with DBD displayed impaired inhibition, but when IQ was controlled differences were carried mostly by the effect on the task where motivational demands were high (i.e. when tangible rewards were used). This pattern was also found in the interaction between ADHD and DBD; impaired inhibition in the comorbid group, however, was more severe than in the DBD group. Regarding working memory, few group differences were found. Conclusions: Clinically diagnosed preschool children with ADHD showed robust inhibition deficits, whereas preschool children with DBD showed impaired inhibition especially where motivational incentives were prominent. Severity of inhibition impairment in the comorbid group was similar to the ADHD group

Physical and chemical characterisation of some silicas and silica derivatives

An extensive study of four types of porous silica supports has been performed, with particular emphasis on their physical and morphological characteristics. These silicas were modified by reacting the surface silanol groups present with either 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate or 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, to produce derivatives with suitable functional groups for further utilisation in the immobilisation of biological compounds. The silicas and their derivatives used were fully characterised with regard to particle size distribution (laser light scattering), specific surface area (BET method), pore size distribution (gas adsorption and mercury porosimetry), density (helium pycnometry), yield of grafting (TGA) and chemical composition (FTIR/DRIFT).http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TH9-3TXCN74-C/1/0c8b28b8c7165139b2661a2e21e0355

Героическое в произведениях А.А. Фета о Крымской войне в контексте эстетической полемики ХIХ века

Проблемы героического в военной прозе и поэзии А.А Фета рассматриваются в контексте эстетической полемики второй половины Х1Х века. В ходе исследования литературно-критических материалов и произведений поэта делается попытка пересмотреть существование традиционных стереотипов относительно творчества и личной жизни художника-эстета и прийти к выводу: военная тематика поэта "чистого искусства" не была обособленной от всего его литературного наследия, она органически вписывалась в его эстетическую программу. Героическое в эстетике и творчестве А. Фета представлено наравне с категорией красоты как составляющей категории прекрасного.Проблеми героiчного в военiй прозi та поезii А.А.Фета разглядаються в контекстi літературної полемікі другоїї половини Х1Х сторіччя. В ході дослiдництва лiтературно-крiтичних матерiалiв та творiв поета робиться спроба переглянути iснування традицiйних стереотипiв вiдносно творчостi та особистого життя художника- естета та прийти до висновка: вiйськова тематика поета "чистого мистецтва" не була вiдокремленою вiд всii його спадщини, вона органiчно вписувалась в його естетичну програму. Героiчне в естетицi та творчостi А.Фета надано нарiвнi з категорiєю красоти, як складовоi категорii прекрасного.Heroic problems in war prose and poetry of A.A.Fet are examined in the context of literal controversy of the second part of the 19thcenturi. In the way of research of literal and critical materials and works of the poet the attempt is making to reexamine existence of formed stereotypes which are related to creative work and personal life of artist-design and go up to the conclusion that poet?s war subject-matter of "pure art" was not isolated from all his legacy. It enters organically into his aesthetic program

Oxidized Lipoproteins Suppress Nitric Oxide Synthase in Macrophages: Study of Glucocorticoid Receptor Involvement

Activated cholesterol-laden macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions are believed to influence the progression of this disease. The induction of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity was investigated in control and cholesterol-laden J774 macrophages, obtained by pre-incubation with oxidized or acetylated low density lipoproteins (oxLDL, acLDL). Loading with oxLDL caused a small induction of NOS activity in unstimulated cells, as indicated by nitrite and citrulline accumulation in the supernatant. However, it suppressed the iNOS activity resulting from stimulation of the cells with lipopolysaccharide with or without interferon-γ. AcLDL had no inhibitory effect, indicating that cholesterol accumulation as such was not responsible. Since the induction of NOS in macrophages is inhibited by glucocorticoids, the possibility that a glucocorticoid-like factor, formed during oxidation of LDL, may cause the inhibition, was investigated. However, addition of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone did not prevent the oxLDL-dependent NOS inhibition, indicating that the glucocorticoid receptor is not involved in the suppressive effect of oxLDL