Femtosecond laser ablation on dental hard tissues-Analysis of ablated profile near an interface using local effective intensity

This study evaluated the process of ablation produced by a Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser under different average powers taking place at the enamel/dentin interface. Based on the geometry of ablated microcavities the effective intensity for ablation was obtained. This study shows the validity for the local effective intensity analysis and allows a quantification of the variation in the ablation geometry taking place at the interface of two naturally different materials. It shows that the variation of the diameter of the ablated region as a function of the cavity depth comes essentially from a mechanism of effective intensity attenuation, as a result of a series of complex effects. Additionally, our data are sufficient to predict that a discontinuity on the ablation profile will occur on the interface between two biological media: enamel-dentin, showing a suddenly jump on the ablated cavity dimensions.

EFFECTIVE NETWORKS FOR REAL-TIME DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING

This paper applies the concepts and methods of complex networks to the development of models and simulations of master-slave distributed real-time systems by introducing an upper bound in the allowable delivery time of the packets with computation results. Two representative interconnection models are taken into account: Uniformly random and scale free (Barabasi-Albert), including the presence of background traffic of packets. The obtained results include the identification of the uniformly random interconnectivity scheme as being largely more efficient than the scale-free counterpart. Also, increased latency tolerance of the application provides no help under congestion.

Novel 6-methanesulfonamide-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-N-acylhydrazones: Orally effective anti-inflammatory drug candidates

We described herein the molecular design of novel in vivo anti-inflammatory 6-methanesulfonamide-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-N-acylhydrazone derivatives (1) planned by applying the molecular hybridization approach. This work also points out to the discovery of LASSBio-930 (1c) as a novel anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic prototype, which was able to reduce carrageenan-induced rat paw edema with an ED(50) of 97.8 mu mol/kg, acting mainly as a non-selective COX inhibitor. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An effective recursive partitioning approach for the packing of identical rectangles in a rectangle

In this work, we deal with the problem of packing (orthogonally and without overlapping) identical rectangles in a rectangle. This problem appears in different logistics settings, such as the loading of boxes on pallets, the arrangements of pallets in trucks and the stowing of cargo in ships. We present a recursive partitioning approach combining improved versions of a recursive five-block heuristic and an L-approach for packing rectangles into larger rectangles and L-shaped pieces. The combined approach is able to rapidly find the optimal solutions of all instances of the pallet loading problem sets Cover I and II (more than 50 000 instances). It is also effective for solving the instances of problem set Cover III (almost 100 000 instances) and practical examples of a woodpulp stowage problem, if compared to other methods from the literature. Some theoretical results are also discussed and, based on them, efficient computer implementations are introduced. The computer implementation and the data sets are available for benchmarking purposes. Journal of the Operational Research Society (2010) 61, 306-320. doi: 10.1057/jors.2008.141 Published online 4 February 2009

Rigidity theorems for complete spacelike hypersurfaces with constant scalar curvature in De Sitter space

In this paper we give a partially affirmative answer to the following question posed by Haizhong Li: is a complete spacelike hypersurface in De Sitter space S(1)(n+1)(c), n >= 3, with constant normalized scalar curvature R satisfying n-2/nc <= R <= c totally umbilical? (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photoswitches and Luminescent Rigidity Sensors Based on fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Me(4)phen)(L)](+)

The fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Me(4)phen)(trans-L)](+) complexes, Me(4)phen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and L = 4-styrylpyridine, stpy, or 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene, bpe, were synthesized and characterized by their spectroscopic, photochemical, and photophysical properties. The complexes exhibit trans-to-cis isomerization upon 313, 334, 365, and 404 nm irradiation, and the true quantum yields can be efficiently determined by absorption changes combined with (1)H NMR data. For fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Me(4)phen)(trans-bpe)](+) similar quantum yields were determined at all wavelengths investigated. However, a lower value (phi(true) = 0.35) was determined for fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Me(4)phen)(trans-stpy)](+) at 404 nm irradiation, which indicates different pathways for the photoisomerization process. The photoproducts, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Me(4)phen)(cis-L)](+), exhibit luminescence at room temperature with two maxima ascribed to the (3)IL(Me4phen) and (3)MLCT(Re -> Me4phen) excited states. The luminescence properties were investigated in different media, and the behavior in glassy EPA at 77 K showed that the contribution of each emissive state is dependent on the excitation wavelength. The photochemical and photophysical behavior of the complexes were rationalized in terms of the energy gap of excited states and can be exploited in photoswitchable luminescent rigidity sensors.

Effective measures to decrease air contaminants through risk and control visualization : a study of the effective use of QR codes to facilitate safety training

Woodworking industries still consists of wood dust problems. Young workers are especially vulnerable to safety risks. To reduce risks, it is important to change attitudes and increase knowledge about safety. Safety training have shown to establish positive attitudes towards safety among employees. The aim of current study is to analyze the effect of QR codes that link to Picture Mix EXposure (PIMEX) videos by analyzing attitudes to this safety training method and safety in student responses. Safety training videos were used in upper secondary school handicraft programs to demonstrate wood dust risks and methods to decrease exposure to wood dust. A preliminary study was conducted to investigate improvement of safety training in two schools in preparation for the main study that investigated a safety training method in three schools. In the preliminary study the PIMEX method was first used in which students were filmed while wood dust exposure was measured and subsequently displayed on a computer screen in real time. Before and after the filming, teachers, students, and researchers together analyzed wood dust risks and effective measures to reduce exposure to them. For the main study, QR codes linked to PIMEX videos were attached at wood processing machines. Subsequent interviews showed that this safety training method enables students in an early stage of their life to learn about risks and safety measures to control wood dust exposure. The new combination of methods can create awareness, change attitudes and motivation among students to work more frequently to reduce wood dust. 

Making Energy Interventions more Effective : Situation, Interaction, and Precondition

A main purpose of this paper is to propose to policy makers, building professionals, and other non-social scientists a way to make energy interventions more culturally informed and, thereby, more effective. The case study on house purchasers gives an ample illustration of the richer results that can be achieved by paying attention to three aspects of energy efficiency initiatives: the contexts and situations of choice in each particular case, the interaction among relevant social actors, and the culture-specific preconditions for choice. Research on how purchasers of new pre-fabricated houses in Sweden choose their heating system show how such decisions tend to fall between two stools. Furthermore, the organizational structure of housing companies frames house purchasers' decision making. An important result is that energy saving or conversion measures must be promoted at an early stage amongst those who plan and construct buildings (rather than later amongst dwellers and energy end users).