DelosDLMS: From the DELOS vision to the implementation of a future digital library management system

DelosDLMS is a novel digital library management system (DLMS) that has been developed as an integration effort within the DELOS Network of Excellence, a European Commission initiative funded under its fifth and sixth framework programs. In this paper, we describe DelosDLMS that takes into account the recommendations of several activities that were initiated by DELOS including the DELOS vision for digital libraries (DLs). A key aspect of DelosDLMS is its novel generic infrastructure that allows the generation of digital library systems out of a set of basic system services and DL services in a modular and extensible way. DL services like feature extraction, visualization, intelligent browsing, media-type-specific indexing, support for multilinguality, relevance feedback and many others can easily be incorporated or replaced. A further key aspect of DelosDLMS is its robustness against failures and its scalability for large collections and many parallel user requests. We discuss the current status of an effort to build DelosDLMS, a Digital Library Management System that integrates in various ways several components developed by DELOS members and showcases a great variety of functionality that is outlined as part of the DELOS visio

Computed tomography-based tissue-engineered scaffolds in craniomaxillofacial surgery

Introduction Tissue engineering provides an alternative modality allowing for decreased morbidity of donor site grafting and decreased rejection of less compatible alloplastic tissues. Methods Using image-based design and computer software, a precisely sized and shaped scaffold for osseous tissue regeneration can be created via selective laser sintering. Polycaprolactone has been used to create a condylar ramus unit (CRU) scaffold for application in temporomandibular joint reconstruction in a Yucatan minipig animal model. Following sacrifice, micro-computed tomography and histology was used to demonstrate the efficacy of this particular scaffold design. Results A proof-of-concept surgery has demonstrated cartilaginous tissue regeneration along the articulating surface with exuberant osseous tissue formation. Bone volumes and tissue mineral density at both the 1 and 3 month time points demonstrated significant new bone growth interior and exterior to the scaffold. Conclusion Computationally designed scaffolds can support masticatory function in a large animal model as well as both osseous and cartilage regeneration. Our group is continuing to evaluate multiple implant designs in both young and mature Yucatan minipig animals. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/57391/1/143_ftp.pd

The Fee Sensitive Risk Exposures of Project Authorized Person in Hong Kong

Authorized Persons (AP) play a critical role in the design and construction of building works in Hong Kong. Under the Building Ordinance, design and construction of building works need to be coordinated and monitored by an AP registered with the Buildings Department. Professionally qualified Architects, Engineers and Surveyors are eligible to register as AP after completing the prescribed assessment. In addition, the project AP is often appointed by the project owner to be the project team leader. In these capacities, a project AP is exposed to various risks. This paper seeks to identify the fee sensitive risk exposures of project APs. Through an ANOVA study, these risks exposures are those due to liabilities under the Building Ordinance at the construction stage, those towards the third parties and the clients

Professionals and interfamily violence against children and adolescents: in between legal and conceptual precepts

OBJECTIVE To identify the conceptions of professionals regarding interfamily violence against children and adolescents. METHOD A qualitative study conducted with 15 professionals who had taken children and adolescents under their care as a result of interfamily violence. Data were collected between November, 2013, and March, 2015, through semi-structured interviews. Data were organized and analyzed using the Textual Discourse Analysis technique. RESULTS The professional discourse highlighted that some legal aspects regarding the handling of interfamily violence against children and adolescents are neglected; an omission supported by the justification of professionals to preserve the family. We highlight the confrontation between the concept of family as a caregiver and the family that commits violence against children, in addition to the positioning of professionals, which does not include the family or the aggressor in the intervention process in facing situations of interfamily violence attended to by the services. CONCLUSION Acting against interfamily violence requires professionals to do away with some pre-established concepts in ordee to put the actual needs of victims and families into evidence.OBJETIVO Identificar, con base en el discurso de los profesionales, sus concepciones con respecto a la violencia intrafamiliar contra niños y adolescentes. MÉTODO Estudio cualitativo, realizado con 15 profesionales que tuvieron bajo sus cuidados a niños y adolescentes atendidos en consecuencia de la violencia intrafamiliar. Se recogieron los datos entre noviembre de 2013 y marzo de 2015, mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los datos fueron organizados y analizados empleando la técnica de Análisis Textual Discursivo. RESULTADOS El discurso de los profesionales puso en evidencia que se descuidan algunos aspectos legales con respecto al manejo de la violencia intrafamiliar contra niños y adolescentes, omisión esa respaldada por la justificación de los profesionales de preservar a la familia. Se destaca el confronto entre la concepción de familia como cuidadora y la familia que violenta a los hijos, además de la postura de los profesionales, quienes no incluyen a la familia y al agresor en los procesos de intervención frente a las situaciones de violencia intrafamiliar atendidas en los servicios. CONCLUSIÓN Actuar ante la violencia intrafamiliar requiere que el profesional rompa algunas concepciones prestablecidas para poner en evidencia las reales necesidades de víctimas y familias.OBJETIVO Identificar, com base no discurso dos profissionais, suas concepções a respeito da violência intrafamiliar contra crianças e adolescentes. MÉTODO Estudo qualitativo, realizado com 15 profissionais, que tiveram sob seus cuidados crianças e adolescentes atendidas em decorrência da violência intrafamiliar. Os dados foram coletados entre novembro de 2013 e março de 2015, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os dados foram organizados e analisados utilizando a técnica de Análise Textual Discursiva. RESULTADOS O discurso dos profissionais colocou em evidência que alguns aspectos legais em relação ao manejo da violência intrafamiliar contra crianças e adolescentes são negligenciados, omissão respaldada pela justificativa dos profissionais de preservar a família. Destaca-se o confronto entre a concepção de família como cuidadora e a família que violenta os filhos, além do posicionamento dos profissionais, os quais não incluem a família e o agressor nos processos de intervenção frente às situações de violência intrafamiliar atendidas nos serviços. CONCLUSÃO Atuar frente à violência intrafamiliar requer do profissional romper com algumas concepções preestabelecidas para colocar em evidência as reais necessidades de vítimas e famílias

Micropatterned Structures for Studying the Mechanics of Biological Polymers

Studying the mechanics of nanometer-scale biomolecules presents many challenges; these include maintaining light microscopy image quality and avoiding interference with the laser used for mechanical manipulation, that is, optical tweezers. Studying the pushing forces of a polymerizing filament requires barriers that meet these requirements and that can impede and restrain nanoscale structures subject to rapid thermal movements. We present a flexible technique that meets these criteria, allowing complex barrier geometries with undercut sidewall profiles to be produced on #1 cover glass for the purpose of obstructing and constraining polymerizing filaments, particularly microtubules. Using a two-layer lithographic process we are able to separate the construction of the primary features from the construction of a depth and shape-controlled undercut. The process can also be extended to create a large uniform gap between an SU-8 photoresist layer and the glass substrate. This technique can be easily scaled to produce large quantities of shelf-stable, reusable microstructures that are generally applicable to microscale studies of the interaction of cellular structures with defined microscale features.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44486/1/10544_2005_Article_6170.pd

Engineered Osteochondral Grafts Using Biphasic Composite Solid Free-Form Fabricated Scaffolds

Tissue engineering has provided an alternative to traditional strategies to repair cartilage damaged by injury or degenerative disease. A successful strategy to engineer osteochondral tissue will mimic the natural contour of the articulating surface, achieve native mechanical properties and functional load-bearing ability, and lead to integration with host cartilage and underlying subchondral bone. Image-based design (IBD) and solid free-form (SFF) fabrication can be used to generate scaffolds that are load bearing and match articular geometry. The objective of this study was to utilize materials and biological factors in an integrated approach to regenerate a multitissue interface. Biphasic composite scaffolds manufactured by IBD and SFF fabrication were used to simultaneously generate bone and cartilage in discrete regions and provide for the development of a stable interface between cartilage and subchondral bone. Poly-L-lactic acid/hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds were differentially seeded with fibroblasts transduced with an adenovirus expressing bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) in the ceramic phase and fully differentiated chondrocytes in the polymeric phase. After subcutaneous implantation into mice, the biphasic scaffolds promoted the simultaneous growth of bone, cartilage, and a mineralized interface tissue. Within the ceramic phase, the pockets of tissue generated included blood vessels, marrow stroma, and adipose tissue. This combination of IBD and SFF-fabricated biphasic scaffolds with gene and cell therapy is a promising approach to regenerate osteochondral defects.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63145/1/ten.2004.10.1376.pd

Evaluation of Open Geospatial Consortium Standards fur Use In LLNL Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

The objective of this project is to evaluate existing and emerging Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards for use in LLNL programs that rely heavily on geographic data. OGC standards are intended to facilitate interoperability between geospatial processing systems to avoid duplication of effort, lower development costs, and encourage competition based on improved capability and performance rather than vendor lock-in. Some of these standards appear to be gaining traction in the geospatial data community, the Federal government, DOE and DHS. A serious evaluation of this technology is appropriate at this time due to increasing interest and mandated compliance in the Federal government in some situations. A subset of OGC standards is identified and reviewed with a focus on applications to LLNL programs. Each standard or recommendation reviewed was evaluated in general terms. In addition, for specific programs such as Gen&SIS and NARAC, a specific evaluation was made of several of the standards and how they could be used most effectively. It is also important to evaluate the acceptance of these standards in the commercial arena. The implementation of OGC standards by the largest GIS vendor (ESRI) was reviewed. At present, OGC standards are primary useful in specific situations. More generally, many of the standards are immature and their impact on the government and commercial sectors is unclear. Consequently, OGC and related developments need to be observed. As specific standards or groups of standards mature and establish their relevance, these can also be incorporated in LLNL programs as requirements dictate, especially if open implementations and commercial products are available