Спосіб пошарової побудови виробів на базі тріангуляційної 3D моделі за заданою стратегією обробки лазерним промінням

Спосіб пошарової побудови виробів на базі тріангуляційної 3D моделі за заданою стратегією обробки лазерним промінням включає періодичне опускання столу на величину кроку побудови і подальше формування шарів. При формуванні кожного наступного шару матеріалу змінюють стратегію обробки лазерним промінням шляхом задання напрямку одиничних треків випадковим чином

Tomato: a crop species amenable to improvement by cellular and molecular methods

Tomato is a crop plant with a relatively small DNA content per haploid genome and a well developed genetics. Plant regeneration from explants and protoplasts is feasable which led to the development of efficient transformation procedures. In view of the current data, the isolation of useful mutants at the cellular level probably will be of limited value in the genetic improvement of tomato. Protoplast fusion may lead to novel combinations of organelle and nuclear DNA (cybrids), whereas this technique also provides a means of introducing genetic information from alien species into tomato. Important developments have come from molecular approaches. Following the construction of an RFLP map, these RFLP markers can be used in tomato to tag quantitative traits bred in from related species. Both RFLP's and transposons are in the process of being used to clone desired genes for which no gene products are known. Cloned genes can be introduced and potentially improve specific properties of tomato especially those controlled by single genes. Recent results suggest that, in principle, phenotypic mutants can be created for cloned and characterized genes and will prove their value in further improving the cultivated tomato.

Evaluating the organisational climate in Italian public healthcare institutions by means of a questionnaire

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>By means of the ICONAS project, the Healthcare Agency of an Italian Region developed, and used a standardised questionnaire to quantify the organisational climate. The aims of the project were (a) to investigate whether the healthcare institutions were interested in measuring climate, (b) to estimate the range of applicability and reliability of the instrument, (c) to analyse the dimensions of climate among healthcare personnel, (d) to assess the differences among employees with different contractual positions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The anonymous questionnaire containing 50 items, each with a scale from 1 to 10, was offered to the healthcare organisations, to be compiled during ad hoc meetings. The data were sent to the central project coordinator. The differences between highly specialised staff (mostly physicians) and other employees were assessed after descriptive statistical analysis of the single items. Both Principal Component Analysis and Factor Analysis were used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ten healthcare organisations agreed to partecipate. The questionnaire was completed by 8691 employees out of 13202. The mean value of organisational climate was 4.79 (range 1–10). There were significant differences among single items and between the 2 groups of employees. Multivariate methods showed: (a) one principal component explained > 40% of the variance, (b) 7 factors summarised the data.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Italian healthcare institutions are interested in assessing organisational phenomena, especially after the reforms of the nineties. The instrument was found to be applicable and suitable for measuring organisational climate. Administration of the questionnaire leads to an acceptable response rate. Climate can be discribed by means of 7 underlying dimensions.</p

An everlasting pioneer: the story of Antirrhinum research

Despite the tremendous success of Arabidopsis thaliana, no single model can represent the vast range of form that is seen in the ~250,000 existing species of flowering plants (angiosperms). Here, we consider the history and future of an alternative angiosperm model — the snapdragon Antirrhinum majus. We ask what made Antirrhinum attractive to the earliest students of variation and inheritance, and how its use led to landmark advances in plant genetics and to our present understanding of plant development. Finally, we show how the wide diversity of Antirrhinum species, combined with classical and molecular genetics — the two traditional strengths of Antirrhinum — provide an opportunity for developmental, evolutionary and ecological approaches. These factors make A. majus an ideal comparative angiosperm

Mapping influenza-activity in Europe.

Issue: Twenty-nine European countries report influenza-activity on a weekly basis to the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS). Data are collected through a network of sentinel physicians in each country, who register the number of people who consult for influenza-like-illness or acute respiratory infection. Because of differences in health care usage, health care organization, and surveillance systems, national data on influenza activity have a limited comparability. Furthermore, national aggregation of data as currently used obscure geographical diffusion of influenza, and influenza may circulate for considerable time before it is visible. In a situation of unusual, possibly pandemic influenza virus activity, more detailed and cross-border information is necessary. Description: A pilot project, financed by DG SANCO through EISS, is currently being undertaken in nine European countries and aims to visualize and analyse influenza activity patterns and to develop an early warning system. Weekly information on influenza activity from each data collection point is converted into a harmonized estimation, an index. The index is based on historical reference values and indicates whether the observed influenza activity can be categorized as low, moderate, usual, high, or very high. Countries are supported to map these indexes using spatial interpolation techniques of Geographical Information Systems. The aim is to produce additionally weekly cross-border influenza maps that are easily understandable (like a weather map). The process has stimulated renewed interest to study and address regional and individual differences between data collection points. Lessons: Mapping is an interesting strategy to give feedback to the participating physicians, the backbone of the surveillance system. Participating European public health institutes have been very interested in this innovative way of presenting their data. Conclusions: The project can improve the quality of the surveillance system. Mapping contributes to early warning by timely information on unusual patterns of spread. Weekly European influenza maps are a novel tool to communicate and study influenza-activity across borders, and the approach could be useful for other contagious diseases too. (aut. ref.