Human error control in the collaborative workflow modeling tool based on GEMS model

Business process should support the execution of collaboration process with agility and flexibility through the integration of enterprise inner or outer application and human resources from the collaborative workflow view.Although the dependency of enterprise activities to the automated system has been increasing, human role is as important as ever.In the workflow modelling this human role is emphasized and the structure to control human error by analysing decision-making itself is needed.Also, through the collaboration of activities agile and effective communication should be constructed, eventually by the combination and coordination of activities to the aimed process the product quality should be improved.This paper classifies human errors can be occurred in collaborative workflow by applying GEMS(Generic Error Modelling System) to control them, and suggests human error control method through hybrid based modelling as well.On this base collaborative workflow modeling tool is designed and implemented. Using this modelling methodology it is possible to workflow modeling could be supported considering human characteristics has a tendency of human error to be controlled

Compression Behavior of Confined Columns with High-Volume Fly Ash Concrete

The use of fly ash in ordinary concrete provides practical benefits to concrete structures, such as a gain in long-term strength, reduced hydration heat, improved resistance to chloride, and enhanced workability. However, few studies with high-volume fly ash (HVFA) concrete have been conducted that focus on the structural applications such as a column. Thus, there is a need to promote field applications of HVFA concrete as a sustainable construction material. To this end, this study investigated the compressive behavior of reinforced concrete columns that contain HVFA with a 50 percent replacement rate. Six columns were fabricated for this study. The study variables were the HVFA replacement rate, tied steel ratio, and tie steel spacing. The computed ultimate strength by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) code conservatively predicted the measured values, and, thus, the existing equation in the ACI code is feasible for confined RC columns that contain HVFA. In addition, an analysis model was calibrated based on the experimental results and is recommended for predicting the stress-strain relationship of confined reinforced concrete columns that contain HVFA

Predictors of spontaneous viral clearance and outcomes of acute hepatitis C infection

Background/AimsThis study evaluated the predictors of spontaneous viral clearance (SVC), as defined by two consecutive undetectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA tests performed ≥12 weeks apart, and the outcomes of acute hepatitis C (AHC) demonstrating SVC or treatment-induced viral clearance.MethodsThirty-two patients with AHC were followed for 12-16 weeks without administering antiviral therapy.ResultsHCV RNA was undetectable at least once in 14 of the 32 patients. SVC occurred in 12 patients (37.5%), among whom relapse occurred in 4. SVC was exhibited in 8 of the 11 patients exhibiting undetectable HCV RNA within 12 weeks. HCV RNA reappeared in three patients (including two patients with SVC) exhibiting undetectable HCV RNA after 12 weeks. SVC was more frequent in patients with low viremia than in those with high viremia (55.6% vs. 14.3%; P=0.02), and in patients with HCV genotype non-1b than in those with HCV genotype 1b (57.1% vs. 22.2%; P=0.04). SVC was more common in patients with a ≥2 log reduction of HCV RNA at 4 weeks than in those with a smaller reduction (90% vs. 9.1%, P<0.001). A sustained viral response was achieved in all patients (n=18) receiving antiviral therapy.ConclusionsBaseline levels of HCV RNA and genotype non-1b were independent predictors for SVC. A ≥2 log reduction of HCV RNA at 4 weeks was a follow-up predictor for SVC. Undetectable HCV RNA occurring after 12 weeks was not sustained. All patients receiving antiviral therapy achieved a sustained viral response. Antiviral therapy should be initiated in patients with detectable HCV RNA at 12 weeks after the diagnosis

A plausible mode of action of pseudin-2, an antimicrobial peptide from Pseudis paradoxa

AbstractThe search for new antibiotic agents is continuous, reflecting the continuous emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Among the new agents are the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which have the potential to become a leading alternative to conventional antibiotics. Studies for the mechanisms of action of the naturally occurring parent peptides can provide the structural and functional information needed for the development of effective new antibiotic agents. We therefore characterized pseudin-2, an AMP isolated from the skin of the South American paradoxical frog Pseudis paradoxa. We found that pseudin-2 organized to an aggregated state in aqueous solution, but that it dissociated into monomers upon binding to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), even though it did not neutralize LPS in Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, pseudin-2 assumed an α-helical structure in the presence of biological membranes and formed pores in both bacterial and fungal membranes, through which it entered the cytoplasm and tightly bound to RNA. Thus, the potent antimicrobial activity of pseudin-2 likely results from both the formation of pores capable of collapsing the membrane potential and releasing intracellular materials and its inhibition of macromolecule synthesis through its binding to RNA

Antimicrobial peptide from Bacillus subtilis CSB138: characterization, killing kinetics, and synergistic potency

We studied the prospect of synergy between the antimicrobial peptide p138c and non-peptide antibiotics for increasing the potency and bacterial killing kinetics of these agents. The production of p138c was maximized in the late exponential growth phase of Bacillus subtilis CSB138. Purification of p138c resulted in a total of 4800 arbitrary units (AU) with 19.15-fold and 3.2% recovery. Peptide p138c was thermo-tolerant up to 50 &deg;C and stable at pH 5.8 to 11. The biochemical nature of p138c was determined by a bioassay, similar to tricine-SDS-PAGE, indicating inhibition at 3 kDa. The amino acid sequence of p138c was Gly-Leu-Glu-Glu-Thr-Val-Tyr-Ile-Tyr-Gly-Ala-Asn-Met-X-Ser. Potency and killing kinetics against vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus improved considerably when p138c was synergized with oxacillin, ampicillin, and penicillin G. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of p138c showed a 4-, 8-, and 16-fold improvement when p138c was combined with oxacillin, ampicillin, and penicillin G, respectively. The fractional inhibitory concentration index for the combination of p138c and oxacillin, ampicillin, and penicillin G was 0.3125, 0.25, and 0.09, respectively. Synergy with non-peptide antibiotics resulted in enhanced killing kinetics of p138c. Hence, the synergy between antimicrobial peptide and non-peptide antibiotics may enhance the potency and bacterial killing kinetics, providing more potent and rapidly acting agents for therapeutic use. [Int Microbiol 20(1):43-53 (2017)]Keywords: Bacillus subtilis &middot; antimicrobial peptides &middot; killing kinetic

Flexural and Shear Behaviors of Reinforced Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete Beams

The material properties of cement-zero concrete using alkali-activators have been studied extensively as the latest response to reduce the CO2 exhaust of the cement industry. However, it is also critical to evaluate the behavior of reinforced concrete beams made of alkali-activated slag (AAS) concrete in terms of flexure and shear to promote the applicability of AAS concrete as structural material. Accordingly, nine types of beam specimens with various ratios of tensile steel and stirrup were fabricated and subject to bending and shear tests. The results show that the flexural and shear behaviors of the reinforced AAS concrete members are practically similar to those made of normal concrete and indicate the applicability of the conventional design code given that the lower density of slag is considered. In addition, a framework using the elastic modulus and stress-strain relation from earlier research is adopted to carry out nonlinear finite element analysis reflecting the material properties of AAS concrete. The numerical results exhibit good agreement with the experimental results and demonstrate the validity of the analytical model

Carbonic anhydrase XII expression is associated with histologic grade of cervical cancer and superior radiotherapy outcome

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether expression of carbonic anhydrase XII (CA12) is associated with histologic grade of the tumors and radiotherapy outcomes of the patients with invasive cervical cancer. METHODS: CA12 expression was examined by immunohistochemical stains in cervical cancer tissues from 183 radiotherapy patients. Histological grading was classified as well (WD), moderately (MD) or poorly differentiated (PD). Oligonucleotide microarray experiment was performed using seven cervical cancer samples to examine differentially expressed genes between WD and PD cervical cancers. The association between CA12 and histological grade was analyzed by chi-square test. CA12 and histological grades were analyzed individually and as combined CA12 and histologic grade categories for effects on survival outcome. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical expression of CA12 was highly associated with the histologic grade of cervical cancer. Lack of CA12 expression was associated with PD histology, with an odds ratio of 3.9 (P = 0.01). Microarray analysis showed a fourfold reduction in CA12 gene expression in PD tumors. CA12 expression was marginally associated with superior disease-free survival. Application of the new combined categories resulted in further discrimination of the prognosis of patients with moderate and poorly differentiated tumor grade. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that CA12 may be used as a novel prognostic marker in combination with histologic grade of the tumors

Stemness Evaluation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Placentas According to Developmental Stage: Comparison to Those from Adult Bone Marrow

This study was done to evaluate the stemness of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) derived from placenta according to the development stage and to compare the results to those from adult bone marrow (BM). Based on the source of hMSCs, three groups were defined: group I included term placentas, group II included first-trimester placentas, and group III included adult BM samples. The stemness was evaluated by the proliferation capacity, immunophenotypic expression, mesoderm differentiation, expression of pluripotency markers including telomerase activity. The cumulative population doubling, indicating the proliferation capacity, was significantly higher in group II (P<0.001, 31.7±5.8 vs. 15.7±6.2 with group I, 9.2±4.9 with group III). The pattern of immunophenotypic expression and mesoderm differentiation into adipocytes and osteocytes were similar in all three groups. The expression of pluripotency markers including ALP, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, Oct-4, and telomerase were strongly positive in group II, but very faint positive in the other groups. In conclusions, hMSCs from placentas have different characteristics according to their developmental stage and express mesenchymal stemness potentials similar to those from adult human BMs