The use of a modular titanium endoprosthesis in skeletal reconstructions after bone tumor resections: method presentation and analysis of 37 cases

We analyzed 37 patients who underwent segmental wide resection of bone tumors and reconstruction with a modular titanium endoprosthesis at the Orthopaedic Oncology Group, between 1992 and 1998. Twelve patients were male and 25 were female, with a mean age of 30 years (9 - 81). The mean follow-up was 14 months (2 - 48). The diagnoses were: osteosarcoma (14 cases), metastatic carcinoma (10), Ewing's sarcoma (4), giant cell tumor (4), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (3), chondrosarcoma (1), and aneurysmal bone cyst (1). Eleven articulated total knee, 8 partial proximal femur with bipolar acetabulum, 8 partial proximal humerus, 3 total femur, 2 partial proximal tibia, 2 diaphyseal femur, 2 diaphyseal humerus, and 1 total proximal femur with cementless acetabulum endoprosthesis implant procedures were done. The complications related to the procedure included: infection (5 cases), dislocation (3), module loosening (1), and ulnar nerve paresthesia (1). We used the following criteria for the clinical evaluation: presence of pain, range of motion, reconstruction stability, surgical and oncologic complications, and patient acceptance. The results were good in 56.8% of the cases, regular in 32.4% and poor in 10.8%.

Affordable prefabricated modular houses using cement and polymer based materials and advanced design tools

By taking advantage of the appropriate use of cement and polymer based materials and advanced computational tools, a pre-fabricated affordable house was built in a modular system. Modular system refers to the complete structure that is built-up by assembling pre-fabricated sandwich panels composed of steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC) outer layers that are connected by innovative glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) connectors, resulting in a panel with adequate structural, acoustic, and thermal insulation properties. The modular house was prepared for a typical family of six members, but its living area can be easily increased by assembling other pre-fabricated elements. The speed of construction and the cost of the constructive elements make these houses competitive when compared to traditional solutions. In this paper the relevant research subjacent to this project (LEGOUSE) is briefly described, as well as the construction process of the built real scale prototype.

Engineering modular viral scaffolds for targeted bacterial population editing

Bacteria are central to human health and disease, but existing tools to edit microbial consortia are limited. For example, broad-spectrum antibiotics are unable to precisely manipulate bacterial communities. Bacteriophages can provide highly specific targeting of bacteria, but assembling well-defined phage cocktails solely with natural phages can be a time-, labor- and cost-intensive process. Here, we present a synthetic biology strategy to modulate phage host ranges by engineering phage genomes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We used this technology to redirect Escherichia coli phage scaffolds to target pathogenic Yersinia and Klebsiella bacteria, and conversely, Klebsiella phage scaffolds to target E. coli by modular swapping of phage tail components. The synthetic phages achieved efficient killing of their new target bacteria and were used to selectively remove bacteria from multi-species bacterial communities with cocktails based on common viral scaffolds. We envision this approach accelerating phage biology studies and enabling new technologies for bacterial population editing.

Different module placements in a modular façade system for natural ventilation

Nowadays natural ventilation has gained prominence because its correct use can reduce energy consumption for cooling systems and improve thermal comfort among users. In this paper, we report on the modelling initiative, based on the wind tunnel tests that were carried out for the determination of the influence of natural ventilation in buildings. Indeed, the renewal of air in a closed environment without using an air conditioning system with mechanical elements can lead to energy savings and, in addition, provide air quality.The wind tunnel tests were carried out by varying the positioning of six ventilation modules in the façade system configuration. The modules were positioned below the window-sill (ventilated window-sill) as well as separately above and below the façade. The wind speed measurements were taken inside and outside the model for the different façades configurations to evaluate the best performance in relation to natural ventilation. The results supported the positioning of the six ventilation modules below the window-sill, forming a â ventilated window-sillâ as the most effective natural ventilation solution.

Study of natural ventilation for a modular façade system in wind tunnel tests

Wind tunnel tests are a reliable tool to determine the effect of natural ventilation on buildings. This paper presents results of wind tunnel tests conducted to evaluate the influence of ventilation modules positioning on a façade system. Modules positioning was modified, resulting in different façade configurations. The tests were carried out with the use of a model, varying the position of the ventilation modules in the façade configuration. The cases tested were six ventilation modules positioned below the window-sill (ventilated window-sill), and three ventilation modules positioned above and below the façade. The façade system proposed was movable and interchangeable so that the same basic model could be used to test the possibilities for ventilation. Wind speed measurements were taken inside and outside the model for the different façades configurations to evaluate the best performance in relation to natural ventilation. Singleâ sided and Cross ventilation were considered for wind speed measurements. Results show the use of six ventilation modules positioned below the window-sill, forming "a ventilated window-sill" is the best solution in terms of natural ventilation.

Design modular: Solução sustentável aplicada aos resíduos limpos na indústria do couro

ISSN 19820941

A modular traffic sampling architecture for flexible network measurements

Dissertação de Mestrado (Programa Doutoral em Informática)

Glazing daylighting performance and Trombe wall thermal performance of a modular façade system in four different Portuguese cities

This paper reports on a new façade system that uses passive solutions in the search for energy efficiency. The differentials are the versatility and flexibility of the modules, which are important advantages of the system. The thermal performance of Trombe walls and glazings and the daylighting performance of glazing were the key aspects analyzed in the results. Computational simulations were accomplished for the thermal performance of different arrangements of the modules with DesignBuilder software. The glazing daylighting performance was studied by means of Ecotect and Desktop Radiance programs and compared with the transmittance curves of glazings. Occupancy profile and internal gains were fixed according to the Portuguese reality for both studies. The main characteristics considered in this research were the use of two double glazings, four different climates in Portugal and one and two Trombe walls in the façade. The results show an important reduction in the energy consumption with the use of Trombe walls and double self-cleaning glazing in the façade, which also presented better daylighting performance.

Desarrollo de un secadero industrial modular portable para productos cárnicos.

Las etapas de estufado y secado en la elaboración de los productos cárnicos de humedad intermedia (0,90 – 0,80 aw) son críticas para alcanzar la auto estabilidad y, en consecuencia, la seguridad de estos alimentos. Poder controlar las variables (temperatura, humedad, velocidad de aire, etc.) de estas operaciones del proceso es determinante para lograr una fermentación y un secado adecuado que permitirán estandarizar el proceso, garantizar la inocuidad y prolongar la vida útil del producto. La construcción de un secadero automatizado que cuente con los últimos adelantos en ingeniería y electrónica resulta dificultoso en las pequeñas y medianas empresas cárnicas, no solo por los altos costos que hay que cubrir, sino además porque las dimensiones de estas pequeñas fábricas no cuentan, en muchos casos, con la escala comercial necesaria para afrontarlos. A través del proyecto se pretende diseñar y construir una unidad de estufado y maduración que sea aplicable al procesamiento de fabricación de embutidos fermentados, que permita su utilización como unidad móvil y que al mismo tiempo pueda emplearse como unidad experimental para complementar otros proyectos de investigación en el área de productos cárnicos. El desarrollo de un secadero modular portable permitirá, además de ofrecer un paquete tecnológico que garantizará la calidad y seguridad de los alimentos producidos, brindar un servicio de alquiler de secaderos para pequeños productores que no disponen del capital suficiente para realizar grandes inversiones o cuya producción es acotada en cantidad o en determinadas épocas del año.

Modular analysis of signal transduction networks

Modularity, signaling networks, sytems biology

CM points and weight 3=2 modular forms

"Vegeu el resum a l'inici del document del fitxer adjunt."

Disseny i implementació d'un web modular amb gestió de continguts

Aquest projecte té com a objectiu el desenvolupament d'un site web amb la possibilitat que la gestió del seu contingut fos administrat per persones alienes a la implementació de la web. Aquesta fita ha estat duta a terme en una web d'una entitat esportiva, la Unió Esportiva Sant Cugat, des d'on durant 2 anys i mig s'ha gestionat la informació i comunicació a través de la xarxa amb aquest mitjà. L'estructuració del projecte ha estat totalment modular, per d'aquesta manera facilitar el dinamisme de canvis de possibles continguts que es poden incorporar a la web de manera molt ràpida i senzilla.

Construcció modular d'agents basats en components: estudi i desenvolupament

La complexitat de disseny d’agents mòbils creix a mesura que s’incrementen les seves funcionalitats. Aquest projecte proposa enfocar el problema des d’un punt de vista modular. S’ha realitzat un estudi tant dels propis agents com de les parts que ho integren. De la mateixa forma, s’han establert i s'han implementat els mecanismes necessaris per habilitar les comunicacions segures entre agents. Finalment, s’han desenvolupat dos components que ofereixen les funcionalitats de seguiment de l’agent mòbil i la recuperació dels resultats generats. El desenvolupament d’agents basats en components tracta d’aplicar la vella estratègia "divideix i venceràs" a la fase de disseny, reduint, així,la seva gran complexitat.

Quantum symmetries for exceptional SU(4) modular invariants associated with conformal embeddings

Three exceptional modular invariants of SU(4) exist at levels 4, 6 and 8. They can be obtained from appropriate conformal embeddings and the corresponding graphs have self-fusion. From these embeddings, or from their associated modular invariants, we determine the algebras of quantum symmetries, obtain their generators,and, as a by-product, recover the known graphs E4, E6 and E8 describing exceptional quantum subgroups of type SU(4). We also obtain characteristic numbers (quantum cardinalities, dimensions) for each of them and for their associated quantum groupoïds.