A general inspection and opportunistic replacement policy for one-component systems of variable quality

We model the influence of opportunities in a hybrid inspection and replacement policy. The base policy has two phases: an initial inspection phase in which the system is replaced if found defective; and a later wear-out phase that terminates with replacement and during which there is no inspection. The efficacy of inspection is modelled using the delay time concept. Onto this base model, we introduce events that arise at random and offer opportunities for cost-efficient replacement, and we investigate the efficacy of additional opportunistic replacements within the policy. Furthermore, replacements are considered to be heterogeneous and of variable quality. This is a natural policy for heterogeneous systems. Our analysis suggests that a policy extension that allows opportunities to be utilised offers benefit, in terms of cost-efficiency. This benefit is significant compared to those offered by age-based inspection or preventive replacement. In addition, opportunistic replacement may simplify maintenance planning

Nested variant of urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder

The nested variant of urothelial carcinoma (NVUC) is characterized by the presence of benign-appearing urothelial carcinoma cells in the lamina propria, sparing the surface urothelial involvement. NVUC shows aggressive clinical course despite of benign-looking histology. Herein reported are two cases of NVUC. One is 80-year-old woman, and another is 78-year-old man. In both cases, atypical cells forming nests and tubules were seen in the lamina propria without surface urothelial involvement. One case resembled nephrogenic metaplasia and another proliferated Brunn's nest or inverted papilloma. Immunohistochemically, both cases showed positive p53 and high Ki67 labeling, suggesting that both cases are malignant. Immunohistochemically, one case was characterized by positive cytokeratins, EMA, p53, Ki-67 (labeling=15%), α-methylacyl CoA racemase, CA19-9, and MUC1, and another case by positive cytokeratins, EMA, p63, p53, Ki-67 (lebeling=30%), CD10, CEA, and MUC1. Cyto keratin immunoprofiles were described and other antigens' expressions were shown. The patients are now free of tumor 6 and 15 months after the resection of the bladder tumor

Delay-time modelling of a critical system subject to random inspections

We model the inspection-maintenance of a critical system in which the execution of inspections is random. The models we develop are interesting because they mimic realities in which production is prioritised over maintenance, so that inspections might be impeded or they might be opportunistic. Random maintenance has been modelled by others but there is little in the literature that relates to inspection of a critical system. We suppose that the critical system can be good, defective or failed, and that failure impacts on production, so that a failure is immediately revealed, but a defect does not. A defect, if revealed at inspection, is a trigger for replacement. We compare the cost and reliability of random inspections with scheduled periodic inspections and discuss the implications for practice. Our results indicate that inspections that are performed opportunistically rather than scheduled periodically may offer an economic advantage provided opportunities are sufficiently frequent and convenient. A hybrid inspection and replacement policy, with inspections subject to impediments, is robust to departure from its inspection schedule. Keywords: Maintenance; reliability; random inspection; production; qualit

A investigação criminal pelo Ministério Público, à luz da teoria de dos direitos fundamentais de Robert Alexy: estudo do HC 91.613-MG/STF

O presente trabalho se propõe a analisar a constitucionalidade do caráter subsidiário das investigações criminais realizadas pelo Ministério Público enquanto nova tendência de consolidação de jurisprudência do Supremo Tribunal Federal Brasileiro, vazada no HC 91.613/MG. Propõe-se, no presente trabalho, uma revisão da mencionada decisão pretoriana sob um olhar mais criterioso, especificamente sob a bandeira de um controle racional da decisão judicial, devendo-se utilizar para tanto os estudos do renomado doutrinador Robert Alexy sobre a matéria. Nossa pretensão não é propriamente pesquisar o que significa este caráter subsidiário das investigações, mas sim, investigar se a construção da decisão que levou a estabelecer esse modelo de investigação passa pelo crivo da racionalidade ou é mais um exemplo de mero decisionismo judicial, enquanto aspecto negativo do chamado “ativismo judicial”. Palavras-chave: investigação criminal; Ministério Público; subsidiariedade; racionalidade; ponderação; sopesamento; igualdade. CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF PUBLIC MINISTRY AT THE LIGHT OF ROBERT ALEXY´S THEORY OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: THE CASE HC - 91 613 MG / STF ABSTRACT This paper aims to examine the constitutionality of the subsidiary nature of criminal investigations by prosecutors as new Brazilian Supreme Court jurisprudence consolidation trend, poured into the HC 91,613 / MG. It is proposed in this paper, a review of that decision under praetorian a more careful look, specifically under the banner of a rational control of the court decision, should be used for both studies the renowned theoretician Robert Alexy on the matter. Our intention is not really research what this means subsidiary nature of the investigations, but rather investigate whether the construction of the decision that led to establish this research model passes the test of rationality or is it more a case of mere judicial decisionism, while negative the so-called "judicial activism". KEY WORDS: Data de submissão: 17/11/2015 Data de aceitação: 18/02/201

Comparative study of nonlinear properties of EEG signals of a normal person and an epileptic patient

Background: Investigation of the functioning of the brain in living systems has been a major effort amongst scientists and medical practitioners. Amongst the various disorder of the brain, epilepsy has drawn the most attention because this disorder can affect the quality of life of a person. In this paper we have reinvestigated the EEGs for normal and epileptic patients using surrogate analysis, probability distribution function and Hurst exponent. Results: Using random shuffled surrogate analysis, we have obtained some of the nonlinear features that was obtained by Andrzejak \textit{et al.} [Phys Rev E 2001, 64:061907], for the epileptic patients during seizure. Probability distribution function shows that the activity of an epileptic brain is nongaussian in nature. Hurst exponent has been shown to be useful to characterize a normal and an epileptic brain and it shows that the epileptic brain is long term anticorrelated whereas, the normal brain is more or less stochastic. Among all the techniques, used here, Hurst exponent is found very useful for characterization different cases. Conclusions: In this article, differences in characteristics for normal subjects with eyes open and closed, epileptic subjects during seizure and seizure free intervals have been shown mainly using Hurst exponent. The H shows that the brain activity of a normal man is uncorrelated in nature whereas, epileptic brain activity shows long range anticorrelation.Comment: Keywords:EEG, epilepsy, Correlation dimension, Surrogate analysis, Hurst exponent. 9 page

Histopathological findings of pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary glands

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Objectives: To describe the histopathological features of pleomorphic adenoma (PA) with special reference to the epithelial and mesenchymal components. Study design: 189 PA were selected and classified as myxoid or stroma-rich, cellular or cell-rich and classic (balanced amount of epithelial and stromal components). The epithelial component was analyzed according to the presence of plasmacytoid, spindle, clear, squamous, basaloid, cubic, oncocytoid and mucous cells and the morphological pattern (trabecular, ductal, cystic and solid). The stromal component was analyzed according to the presence of myxoid, hyaline, chondroid or calcified tissue. Results: Plasmacytoid cells were the most commonly found cellular type followed by fusiform and cuboidal cells. Trabeculae and duct-like structures were the most frequent patterns formed by the epithelial cells. Myxoid and chondroid stroma were the most frequently found mesenchymal-like tissue usually forming the so called myxochondroid stroma. Conclusion: The knowledge of the immense variety of cells, architectures and morphological characteristics present in PA of the salivary gland is essential for a correct diagnosis.142E57E61Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)FAPESP [03/12658-9

Oncocytic metaplasia in inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia: Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis

Oncocytic metaplasia (OM) is not a well-known feature in inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia (IFH) lesions, although it may be common, as proposed in our previous study about this lesion. In the present paper, we assessed the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of 18 cases of IFH containing OM areas. All the samples were examined on haematoxylin and eosin stained sections and cytokeratins (AE1/AE3, 34 beta E12, CK5, CK7, CK8, CK13, CK14 and CK19), CD15, CD20, CD68, CD45Ro, and LCA primary antibodies were used. The vast majority of IFH occurred in women (n= 14) and the most common site of presentation was the buccal vestibule. Oncocytic and salivary duct cells showed uniform immunoreactivity for AE1/AE3, CK7, CK8 and CK19. CD45Ro+ T-lymphocytes were the most common inflammatory cells surrounding the OM areas followed by CD20+ B-lymphocytes. These findings suggest that oncocytic cells present in IFH might develop from salivary duct epithelium, and T-lymphocytes might play an important role in its etiopathogenesis.133E151E15

Railway critical speed assessment: A simple experimental-analytical approach

When constructing a new railway line, its long length means there are significant financial implications associated with determining the geodynamic ground properties. Therefore, this paper presents recommendations to optimize the efficiency and depth of such a geotechnical site investigation. Firstly, a numerical analysis is performed to investigate the effect of soil layering, soil stiffness and track bending stiffness on critical velocity. It is shown that each of these variables play an important role, however for most practical cases, only the top 8 m of soil is influential. Track dynamics are rarely affected by soil properties at depths below this, meaning this is the maximum required depth of soil investigation. Using this knowledge, a hybrid experimental-analytical methodology is presented, based on a geophysical Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW) experimental setup to compute the ground dispersion curve and an analytical model to compute the track dispersion curve. The experimental and analytical results are combined directly, to accurately compute the critical velocity. This approach is attractive because: 1) SASW tests are typically accurate to ≈8 m (when using a mobile exciter) thus matching the required depth needed for critical velocity computation, 2) soil property uncertainties are inherently accounted for, 3) the uncertainties associated with SASW inversion are avoided. The approach is attractive when constructing new railway lines and upgrading the speed of existing lines because it can potentially yield site investigation cost savings. In-situ field work is performed to show the practical application of the technique