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

Plantas medicinais utilizadas para analgesia em famílias descendentes de pomeranos no Sul do Brasil.

Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as plantas medicinais utilizadas como analgésicas por famílias descendentes de pomeranos no Sul do Brasil. Método: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, realizado com cinco famílias de agricultores. O local do estudo foi o domicílio das famílias, localizadas na zona rural, sendo os dados coletados entre janeiro e maio de 2011. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a aplicação de uma entrevista semi-estruturada e levantamento etnobotânico das plantas medicinais utilizadas como analgésicas, que posteriormente foram identificadas taxonomicamente. Resultados: foram citadas 105 plantas medicinais, das quais 20 são utilizadas como analgésicas. Conclusão: observa-se que grande parte das plantas medicinais citadas como analgésicas pelas famílias não possuem este efeito comprovado, por outro lado, estas mesmas plantas possuem outros efeitos terapêuticos capazes de provocar alterações no organismo. Com isso, cabe aos profissionais de saúde estar atentos sobre as medidas de cuidado adotadas pelas pessoas. Descritores: plantas medicinais, analgésicos, etnobotânica

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

A first principle (3+1) dimensional model for microtubule polymerization

In this paper we propose a microscopic model to study the polymerization of microtubules (MTs). Starting from fundamental reactions during MT's assembly and disassembly processes, we systematically derive a nonlinear system of equations that determines the dynamics of microtubules in 3D. %coexistence with tubulin dimers in a solution. We found that the dynamics of a MT is mathematically expressed via a cubic-quintic nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation. Interestingly, the generic 3D solution of the NLS equation exhibits linear growing and shortening in time as well as temporal fluctuations about a mean value which are qualitatively similar to the dynamic instability of MTs observed experimentally. By solving equations numerically, we have found spatio-temporal patterns consistent with experimental observations.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures. Accepted in Physics Letters

The Magnus expansion and some of its applications

Approximate resolution of linear systems of differential equations with varying coefficients is a recurrent problem shared by a number of scientific and engineering areas, ranging from Quantum Mechanics to Control Theory. When formulated in operator or matrix form, the Magnus expansion furnishes an elegant setting to built up approximate exponential representations of the solution of the system. It provides a power series expansion for the corresponding exponent and is sometimes referred to as Time-Dependent Exponential Perturbation Theory. Every Magnus approximant corresponds in Perturbation Theory to a partial re-summation of infinite terms with the important additional property of preserving at any order certain symmetries of the exact solution. The goal of this review is threefold. First, to collect a number of developments scattered through half a century of scientific literature on Magnus expansion. They concern the methods for the generation of terms in the expansion, estimates of the radius of convergence of the series, generalizations and related non-perturbative expansions. Second, to provide a bridge with its implementation as generator of especial purpose numerical integration methods, a field of intense activity during the last decade. Third, to illustrate with examples the kind of results one can expect from Magnus expansion in comparison with those from both perturbative schemes and standard numerical integrators. We buttress this issue with a revision of the wide range of physical applications found by Magnus expansion in the literature.Comment: Report on the Magnus expansion for differential equations and its applications to several physical problem

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

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