Assembly Sequence Planning by Probabilistic Tree Transformation

Various types of computer systems including CAD/CAM systems have been introduced in machine industry. Some of the systems can handle assembly sequence planning, however it requires long time for planning. This paper proposes a method of generating assembly sequences efficiently. This method extracts some parts and/or subassemblies whose possibilities of being removed from a product are strong, and tests whether they can be removed without any geometric interference. By performing these operations repeatedly, the method generates a disassembly sequence of the product, and obtains an assembly sequence by reversing it. The extraction of some parts and/or subassemblies is performed, based on probabilistic tree transformation. The authors present a calculation example by using a software tool integrated with a CAD system

Changes of Concentrations of Free Amino Acids in HeLa Cells Induced by Antitumor Agent

In this report we have investigated that the amino acid is most actively metabolized in the tumor cells damaged by antitumor agents, and discussed imbalanced amino acid procedure to be combined with cancer chemotherapy. The concentrations of 24 free amino acids in medium and in cells were determined in HeLa cells treated with Adriamycin. The free amino acids that decreased in the medium but increased in cells were glutamine and arginine. From this result, we treated HeLa cells with Adriamycin in medium of glutamine-deficiency and obtained a marked cytocidal effect. It would be difficult to make tumor tissues of glutamine-depletion in the whole body. For clinical application, local administration such as intraarterial infusion of L-glutamine antagonists combined with antitumor agents is expected as a practical administration method

A Case Report of Tooth Wear Associated with a Patient's Inappropriate Efforts to Reduce Oral Malodor Caused by Endodontic Lesion

Here, we report a case of severe tooth wear associated with a patient's inappropriate efforts to reduce oral malodor. A 72-year-old male patient visited our breath clinic complaining of strong breath odor. Former dentists had performed periodontal treatments including scaling and root planing, but his oral malodor did not decrease. His own subsequent breath odor-reducing efforts included daily use of lemons and vinegar to reduce or mask the odor, eating and chewing hard foods to clean his teeth, and extensive tooth brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush. Oral malodor was detected in our breath clinic by several tests, including an organoleptic test, portable sulphide monitor, and gas chromatography. Although patient's oral hygiene and periodontal condition were not poor on presentation, his teeth showed heavy wear and hypersensitiving with an unfitted restoration on tooth 16. Radiographic examination of the tooth did not reveal endodontic lesion, but when the metal crown was removed, severe pus discharge and strong malodor were observed. When this was treated, his breath odor was improved. After dental treatment and oral hygiene instruction, no further tooth wear was observed; he was not concerned about breath odor thereafter

The linkage between medical student readiness for interprofessional learning and interest in community medicine

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between medical student readiness for interprofessional learning and interest in community medicine prior to incorporating community-oriented interprofessional education into the curriculum. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to students at Nagasaki University School of Medicine in Japan during each of three consecutive years (N=2244). The Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) was administered in addition to a questionnaire to evaluate interest in community medicine. The Kruskal-Wallis and Steel-Dwass tests were used to determine differencesbetween school years. Correlation between the RIPLS score and interest in community medicine was evaluated with Spearman\u27s rank correlation coefficient. Relationships between RIPLS score and demographic parameters, and interest in community medicine were evaluated with multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Eighty-four percent (1891/2244) of students responded. The RIPLS score was highest in school year 1, followed by year 6, year 5,year 3, and years 4 and 2. Interest in community medicine correlated with the RIPLS score (rs = 0.332, p < 0.001),but less in year 1 (rs = 0.125, p = 0.002) than in other years. RIPLS score was significantly associated with gender, age, school year, interest in community medicine, but not the year that the survey was conducted. Conclusions: Community-oriented interprofessional education has the potential to improve attitudes towards interprofessional learning. When introducing this promising education into the curriculum from year 1, attracting students\u27 interest in community medicine should be considered

Hydrodynamic Models of Classical Cepheids. : I. A Technique to Search the Limiting-amplitude Oscillation

The limiting-amplitude of hydrodynamic models for cepheid variables is searched by checking the intrinsic growth-rate of the oscillation derived by the pumping-up. The procedure is scarcely affected by the initial values. The modulation of oscillation appeared at the earlier stage may be enhanced by the overtones in resonance