Indications for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in children with congenital and acquired heart disease: an expert consensus paper of the Imaging Working Group of the AEPC and the Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Section of the EACVI.

This article provides expert opinion on the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in young patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and in specific clinical situations. As peculiar challenges apply to imaging children, paediatric aspects are repeatedly discussed. The first section of the paper addresses settings and techniques, including the basic sequences used in paediatric CMR, safety, and sedation. In the second section, the indication, application, and clinical relevance of CMR in the most frequent CHD are discussed in detail. In the current era of multimodality imaging, the strengths of CMR are compared with other imaging modalities. At the end of each chapter, a brief summary with expert consensus key points is provided. The recommendations provided are strongly clinically oriented. The paper addresses not only imagers performing CMR, but also clinical cardiologists who want to know which information can be obtained by CMR and how to integrate it in clinical decision-making.

Ramp-up Predictability - Designing and Prototyping Ramp-up Predictability concept for new product creation

Diplomityön tavoitteena on tutkia ja kehittää menetelmä tuotekehitysprojektin ajalliselle ennustamiselle tuotteen siirtyessä tuotekehityksestä massatuotantoon. Ajallisen ennustamisen merkitys korostuu mitä lähemmäksi uuden tuotteen massatuotannon aloittaminen (ramp-up) tulee, koska strategiset päätökset koskien mm. uusia tuotantolinjoja, materiaalien- ja komponenttien tilaamisia sekä vahvistus asiakastoimitusten aloittamista täytyy tehdä jo paljon aikaisemmin.Työ aloitetaan tutkimalla rinnakkaista insinöörityötä (concurrent engineering) sekä suoritusten mittaamista (performance measurement), joiden sisältämistä ajattelumalleista, työkaluista ja tekniikoista hahmottuivat ajallisen ennustettavuuden onnistumisen edellytykset. Näitä olivat suunnitellun tuotteen ja tuotekehitysprosessin laatu sekä resurssien ja tiimien kompetenssit. Toisaalta ajalliseen ennustettavuuteen vaikuttavat myös projektien riippuvuudet ulkoisista toimittajista ja heidän aikatauluistaan.Teoreettisena viitekehyksenä käytetään Bradford L. Goldense:n luomaa mallia tuotekehityksen proaktiiviseksi mittaamiseksi sekä sovelletaan W. Edward Deming:in jatkuvan parantamisen silmukkaa. Työssä kehitetään Ramp-up Predictability konsepti, joka koostuu keskipitkän ja pitkän aikavälin ennustamisesta. Työhön ei kuulunut mallin käyttöönotto ja seuranta.Toimenpide ehdotuksena esitetään lisätutkimusta mittareiden keskinäisestä korrelaatioista ja niiden luotettavuudesta sekä mallien tarjoamista mahdollisuuksista muille tulosyksiköille.

Electric Motor and Frequency Converter Markets in Latin America and Especially in the Mining Industry of Chile

Latinalaisen Amerikan osuus maailmantaloudesta on pieni verrattuna sen maantieteelliseen kokoon, väkilukuun ja luonnonvaroihin. Aluetta pidetään kuitenkin yhtenä tulevaisuuden merkittävistä kasvumarkkinoista. Useissa Latinalaisen Amerikan maissa on teollisuutta, joka hyödyntää luonnonvaroja ja tuottaa raaka-aineita sekä kotimaan että ulkomaiden markkinoille. Tällaisia tyypillisiä teollisuudenaloja Latinalaisessa Amerikassa ovat kaivos- ja metsäteollisuus sekä öljyn ja maakaasun tuotanto. Näiden teollisuudenalojen tuotantolaitteiden ja koneiden valmistusta ei Latinalaisessa Amerikassa juurikaan ole. Ne tuodaan yleensä Pohjois-Amerikasta ja Euroopasta. Tässä diplomityössä tutkitaan sähkömoottorien ja taajuusmuuttajien markkinapotentiaalia Latinalaisessa Amerikassa. Tutkimuksessa perehdytään Latinalaisen Amerikan maiden kansantalouksien tilaan sekä arvioidaan sähkömoottorien ja taajuusmuuttajien markkinoiden kokoa tullitilastojen avulla. Chilen kaivosteollisuudessa arvioidaan olevan erityistä potentiaalia. Diplomityössä selvitetään ostoprosessin kulkua Chilen kaivosteollisuudessa ja eri asiakastyyppien roolia siinä sekä tärkeimpiä päätöskriteerejä toimittaja- ja teknologiavalinnoissa.

Integrated Project Portfolio Management as a Tool for Strategic Steering and Business Control

Tutkielman päätavoitteena oli tutkia miten projektisalkun hallinnalla voidaan tukea organisaation strategista ohjausta ja liiketoimintaa. Tämän lisäksi avaintavoitteina oli kuvata projektisalkun hallinnan nykytilanne kohdeyrityksessä, paljastaa erityisiä kehitystarpeita ja lopulta luoda kohdeyrityksen projektisalkunhallinnalle tavoitetila. Kirjallisuuskatsauksessa pohdittiin projektisalkun hallinnan roolia ja tavoitteita, projektisalkun hallinnassa käyttävää prosessia, sekä menetelmiä ja tekniikoita, joilla salkkua hallitaan. Työn empiirisessä osassa syvennyttiin tutkimaan projektinsalkun hallintaan liittyviä erityispiirteitä kohdeyrityksessä. Tutkimustulosten huolellinen analysointi osoitti, että aikaisempi kirjallisuus ei riittävästi huomioi kokonaisvaltaisen, integroidun lähestymistavan tarvetta ja viestinnän tärkeyttä projektisalkun hallinnassa. Tutkimuksen johtopäätöksinä luotiin uusi integroitu projektisalkun hallintamalli ja määriteltiin kohdeyritykselle projektisalkun hallinnan tavoitetila sekä ne kehitysaskeleet, joita yrityksen tulisi lähitulevaisuudessa ottaa.

SEM evidence for existence of an apical disc on the scolex of Clestobothrium crassiceps (Rudolphi, 1819): comparative results of various fixation techniques

The scolex of the bothriocephalidean cestode Clestobothrium crassiceps was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The comparative results of various fixation procedures and techniques are presented. The scolex of C. crassiceps is oval to globular and exhibits two deep bothria which appear in the form of two lobes separated by a longitudinal groove. At the apex of the scolex, resembling a beret, an apical disc is present (oval, flattened and with a sinuous edge). Our results are compared with those previously reported in other species of Clestobothrium. This study represents the first report which highlights the presence of an apical disc in the scolex of C. crassiceps. It describes the effects of different procedures applied to our material during preparation and a comparative analysis results obtained using these various methods.

SEM evidence for existence of an apical disc on the scolex of Clestobothrium crassiceps (Rudolphi, 1819): comparative results of various fixation techniques

The scolex of the bothriocephalidean cestode Clestobothrium crassiceps was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The comparative results of various fixation procedures and techniques are presented. The scolex of C. crassiceps is oval to globular and exhibits two deep bothria which appear in the form of two lobes separated by a longitudinal groove. At the apex of the scolex, resembling a beret, an apical disc is present (oval, flattened and with a sinuous edge). Our results are compared with those previously reported in other species of Clestobothrium. This study represents the first report which highlights the presence of an apical disc in the scolex of C. crassiceps. It describes the effects of different procedures applied to our material during preparation and a comparative analysis results obtained using these various methods.

Police work and new 'security devices' : a tale from the beat

Mobile technologies have brought about major changes in police equipment and police work. If a utopian narrative remains strongly linked to the adoption of new technologies, often formulated as 'magic bullets' to real occupational problems, there are important tensions between their 'imagined' outcomes and the (unexpected) effects that accompany their daily 'practical' use by police officers. This article offers an analysis of police officers' perceptions and interactions with security devices. In so doing, it develops a conceptual typology of strategies for coping with new technology inspired by Le Bourhis and Lascoumes: challenging, neutralizing and diverting. To that purpose, we adopt an ethnographic approach that focuses on the discourses, practices and actions of police officers in relation to three security devices: the mobile digital terminal, the mobile phone and the body camera. Based on a case study of a North American municipal police department, the article addresses how these technological devices are perceived and experienced by police officers on the beat.

Indications for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in children with congenital and acquired heart disease: an expert consensus paper of the Imaging Working Group of the AEPC and the Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Section of the EACVI.

This article provides expert opinion on the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in young patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and in specific clinical situations. As peculiar challenges apply to imaging children, paediatric aspects are repeatedly discussed. The first section of the paper addresses settings and techniques, including the basic sequences used in paediatric CMR, safety, and sedation. In the second section, the indication, application, and clinical relevance of CMR in the most frequent CHD are discussed in detail. In the current era of multimodality imaging, the strengths of CMR are compared with other imaging modalities. At the end of each chapter, a brief summary with expert consensus key points is provided. The recommendations provided are strongly clinically oriented. The paper addresses not only imagers performing CMR, but also clinical cardiologists who want to know which information can be obtained by CMR and how to integrate it in clinical decision-making.

Törmäysystävällisen valaisinpylvään tuotteistaminen

Euroopan unioni on tiukentanut teiden laitteiden ja tukirakenteiden törmäysturvallisuusvaatimuksia. Uuden standardoinnin tarkoituksena on lieventää ajoneuvon kuljettajan ja matkustajan vammojen vakavuutta ajoneuvon törmätessä tielaitteiden pysyviin rakenteisiin. Käytännössä rakenteiden tulee hidastaa ajoneuvon nopeutta hallitusti eri törmäysnopeuksilla, jolloin matkustajaan kohdistuvat kiihtyvyydet eivät aiheuta vakavaa loukkaantumisriskiä. Vuonna 2005 Mikkelin ammattikorkeakoulun YTI-tutkimuskeskus ja Tehomet Oy kehittivät ensimmäisen version törmäysystävällisestä valaisinpylväästä. Tässä diplomityössä tavoitteena oli kehittää aikaisemmin tehdystä versiosta helpommin valmistettava versio sekä parantaa pylvään törmäyskäyttäytymistä. Valmistusmenetelmistä valittiin pultruusio, kuitukelaus, alipaineinjektio ja RTM. Menetelmille suunniteltiin soveltuvat rakenteet ja laskettiin rakenteiden valmistuskustannukset. Pultruusiolla, alipaineinjektiolla ja RTM:11ä valmistettiin koe-erä esitörmäyskokeita varten. Esitörmäyskokeiden jälkeen valittiin valmistusmenetelmäksi RTM. TKK/Tielaboratorion virallisissa testeissä kehitetylle pylväälle myönnettiin HE2-turvaluokitus. Hanketta jatketaan kehittämällä valmistusprosessia tehokkaammaksi uudistamalla muottitekniikkaa sekä ottamalla käyttöön lujiteaihiot. Tavoitteena on käynnistää tuotanto keväällä 2008. Kehitetty pylväs esitellään kansainvälisillä "Sähkö, Tele, Valo- ja AV 2008"-messuilla Jyväskylän Paviljongissa 6.-8.2.2008.

Evaluation of occupational and patient dose in cerebral angiography procedures

Objective The present study was aimed at estimating the doses received by physicians and patients during cerebral angiography procedures in a public hospital of Recife, PE, Brazil. Materials and Methods The study sample included 158 adult patients, and during the procedures the following parameters were evaluated: exposure parameters (kV, mAs), number of acquired images, reference air kerma value (Ka,r) and air kerma-area product (PKA). Additionally, the physicians involved in the procedures were evaluated as for absorbed dose in the eyes, thyroid, chest, hands and feet. Results The results demonstrated that the doses to the patients' eyes region were relatively close to the threshold for cataract occurrence. As regards the physicians, the average effective dose was 2.6 µSv, and the highest effective dose recorded was 16 µSv. Conclusion Depending on the number of procedures, the doses received by the physicians may exceed the annual dose limit for the crystalline lenses (20 mSv) established by national and international standards. It is important to note that the high doses received by the physicians are due to the lack of radiation protection equipment and accessories, such as leaded curtains, screens and protective goggles.

Development of a Filter Aid Proportioning, Mixing, and Feeding System for a Polishing Filter

The purpose of this work was to study the characteristics of the most commonly used filter aid materials and their influences on the design of proportioning, mixing, and feeding system for polishing filter family. Based on the literature survey and hands-on experience a system was designed with defined equipment and capital and operating costs. The system was designed to serve precoating and bodyfeeding applications and is easily extended to be used in multiple filter processes. Also a test procedure was carried out where influences of flux and filter cloths to accumulated cake were studied. Filter aid is needed in challenging conditions to improve filtration efficiency and cleaning, and thus extend the operating life of the filter media. Filter aid preparation and feeding system was designed for the use of two different filter aids; precoat and bodyfeed. Precoating is used before the filtration step initiates. If the solids in the filterable solution have a tendency to clog the filter bag easily, precoat is used on the filter bag to obtain better filtration efficiency and quality. Diatomite or perlite is usually used as a precoating substance. The intention is to create a uniform cake to the overall surface of the filter cloth, with predetermined thickness, 2 – 5 mm. This ensures that the clogging of the filter cloth is reduced and the filtration efficiency is increased. Bodyfeed is used if the solids in the filterable solution have a tendency to form a sticky impermeable filter cake. The cake properties are enhanced by maintaining the permeability of the accumulating cake by using the filter aid substance as bodyfeed during the filtration process.

O uso do forno de microondas na síntese orgânica em fase sólida

Solid-phase organic synthesis (SPOS) has been considered the main strategy for the construction of combinatorial libraries, because its simplicity leads to faster synthetic procedures. In addition to that, a series of reports in the specialized literature show great advantages in the use of microwave activation, when compared to classical heating, for instance: shorter reaction times, in some cases from several hours to a few minutes, increase of selectivity and product yields, energy economy and reduction and/or elimination of solvent. This review describes the use of microwave ovens/reactors in solid phase organic synthesis, describing the advantages, equipment and reactions using both techniques.

Liquid-phase microextraction for simultaneous chromatographic analysis of three antidepressant drugs in plasma

A method using Liquid Phase Microextraction for simultaneous detection of citalopram (CIT), paroxetine (PAR) and fluoxetine (FLU), using venlafaxine as internal standard, in plasma by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was developed. The linearity was evaluated between 5.0 and 500 ng mL-1 (r > 0.99) and the limit of quantification was 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0 ng mL-1 for CIT, PAR and FLU, respectively. Therefore, it can be applied to therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacokinetics or bioavailability studies and its advantages are that it necessary relatively inexpensive equipment and sample preparation techniques.

Speaker diarization: Segmentation and clustering of speeches

Speaker diarization is the process of sorting speeches according to the speaker. Diarization helps to search and retrieve what a certain speaker uttered in a meeting. Applications of diarization systemsextend to other domains than meetings, for example, lectures, telephone, television, and radio. Besides, diarization enhances the performance of several speech technologies such as speaker recognition, automatic transcription, and speaker tracking. Methodologies previously used in developing diarization systems are discussed. Prior results and techniques are studied and compared. Methods such as Hidden Markov Models and Gaussian Mixture Models that are used in speaker recognition and other speech technologies are also used in speaker diarization. The objective of this thesis is to develop a speaker diarization system in meeting domain. Experimental part of this work indicates that zero-crossing rate can be used effectively in breaking down the audio stream into segments, and adaptive Gaussian Models fit adequately short audio segments. Results show that 35 Gaussian Models and one second as average length of each segment are optimum values to build a diarization system for the tested data. Uniting the segments which are uttered by same speaker is done in a bottom-up clustering by a newapproach of categorizing the mixture weights.

Application of Open Innovation Paradigm in Small and Medium Enterprises in Russia

The objective of this study is to explore how the Open Innovation paradigm is applied in by small and medium-size enterprises in Russia. The focus of the study is to understand how the processes of research and development and commercialization proceed in these kind of companies and to which extent they apply open innovation principles. Russian leadership makes certain steps for transition from the export of raw materials to an innovative model of economic growth. The research aims to disclose actual impact of these attempts. The closed innovation model and the erosion factors which lead to the destruction of an old one and emergence of new model are described. Features of open innovation implementation and intellectual property rights protection in small and medium enterprises are presented. To achieve the objective, a qualitative case study approach was chosen. Research includes facts and figures, views and opinions of management of studied companies related to innovation process in the company and in Russia in general. The research depicts the features of Open Innovation implementation by SMEs in Russia. A large number of research centers with necessary equipment and qualified personnel allow case companies to use external R&D effectively. They cooperate actively with research institutes, universities and laboratories. Thus, they apply inbound Open Innovation. On the contrary, lack of venture capital, low demand for technologies within the domestic market and weak protection of intellectual property limit the external paths to new markets. Licensing-out and creation of spin-off are isolated cases. Therefore, outbound Open Innovation is not a regular practice.