MedicoPort: a medical search engine for all

We present a new next generation domain search engine called MedicoPort. MedicoPort is a medical search engine designed for the users with no medical expertise. It is enhanced with the domain knowledge obtained from Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) to increase the effectiveness of the searches. The power of the system is based on the ability to understand the semantics of web pages and the user queries. MedicoPort transforms a keyword search into a conceptual search. Through our system we present a topical web crawling technique and indexing techniques empowered by the semantics information. MedicoPort aims to generate maximum output with semantic value using minimum input from the user. Since MedicoPort is designed to help people seeking information about health on the web, our target users are not medical specialists who can effectively use the special jargon of medicine and access medical databases. Medical experts have the advantage of shrinking the answer set by expressing several terms using medical terminology. MedicoPort provides the same advantage to its users through the automated use of the medical domain knowledge in the background. The results of our experiments indicate that, expanding the queries with domain knowledge, such as using the synonyms and partially or contextually relevant terms from UMLS, increase dramatically the relevance of an answer set produced by MedicoPort and the number of retrieved web pages that are relevant to the user request.     

Multipurpose modular experimental station for the DiProI beamline of Fermi@Elettra free electron laser

We present a compact modular apparatus with a flexible design that will be operated at the DiProI beamline of the Fermi@Elettra free electron laser (FEL) for performing static and time-resolved coherent diffraction imaging experiments, taking advantage of the full coherence and variable polarization of the short seeded FEL pulses. The apparatus has been assembled and the potential of the experimental setup is demonstrated by commissioning tests with coherent synchrotron radiation. This multipurpose experimental station will be open to general users after installation at the Fermi@Elettra free electron laser in 2011.     

Proposals for creative uses of computer graphics in architectural design

Computer graphics are used by architects mainly for presentation purposes. However, the rapid pace of the development of computer technology enables more creative applications. This research proposes the use of dynamically simulated computer graphics as an evaluation tool for architectural design. Since buildings are living entities, whole life cycles of buildings should be dynamically simulated in highly visualised virtual environments to evaluate the future performance of prospective designs. Two areas that seem especially promising for near future (evaluation of user-building interaction and visualisation of environmental factors) are mentioned and some proposals are presented for the future use of dynamic simulations in virtual environments.     

Pyrolysis of giant mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) in a fixed-bed reactor: Effects of pyrolysis parameters on product yields and character

Slow pyrolysis of giant mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) stalks have been carried out in a fixed-bed tubular reactor with (Al₂O₃, ZnO) and without catalyst at four different temperatures between 400 to 550°C with a constant heating rate of 50°C/min and with a constant sweeping gas (N₂) flow rate of 100 cm³/min. The amounts of bio-char, bio-oil, and gas produced were calculated and the compositions of the obtained bio-oils were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The effects of pyrolysis parameters, such as temperature and catalyst, on the product yields were investigated. The results show that both temperature and catalyst have significant effects on the conversion of Verbascum thapsus L. into solid, liquid, and gaseous products. The highest liquid yield of 40.43% by weight including the aqeous phase was obtained with 10% zinc oxide catalyst at 500°C temperature. Sixty-seven different products were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the bio-oils obtained at 500°C temperature.     

Unraveling the Dynamic Nanoscale Reducibility (Ce4+ → Ce3+) of CeOx–Ru in Hydrogen Activation

The interaction of molecular hydrogen with ceria is of important relevance for heterogeneous catalysis related to green chemistry and renewable energy. Here, the complex structural transformations of a well‐defined cerium oxide model catalyst are followed in situ and in real time when exposed to a reactive H₂ environment. By using electron spectromicroscopy and diffraction with chemical and structural sensitivities, it is demonstrated that the transition from CeO₂ to crystalline Ce₂O₃ occurs through a mixture of transient, coexisting phases on the nanoscale. The findings establish a clear relationship between structure and functionality for hydrogen dissociation over ceria(111), bearing profound implications on the nature of the reduction (Ce⁴⁺ → Ce³⁺) and mechanism for H₂ scission.     

Kinetics and equilibrium studies for the adsorption of Acid Red 57 from aqueous solutions onto calcined-alunite

The adsorption of Acid Red 57 (AR57) onto calcined-alunite was examined in aqueous solution in a batch system with respect to contact time, pH and temperature. The first-order, pseudo-second-order kinetic and the intraparticle diffusion models were used to describe the kinetic data and the rate constants were evaluated. The experimental data fitted very well the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and also followed the intraparticle diffusion model up to 90 min. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms and the isotherm constants were also determined. The equilibrium data are successfully fitted to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The Langmuir isotherm constant, K(L), was used to evaluate the changes of free energy, enthalpy and entropy of adsorption for the adsorption of AR57 onto calcined-alunite. The results indicate that calcined-alunite could be employed as low-cost material for the removal of acid dyes from textile effluents.     

艾哈迈德·阿德南·萨伊贡艺术中心,伊兹密尔,土耳其

<正>一座建筑的性能应当如何来衡量?除了通过统治当代建筑舆论的美学、技术以及经济价值来进行描述之外,我们还能够如何来阐释一座建筑,尤其是一座致力于庇护那些渴望展现自己的艺术家的建筑?有人会问成功的表演是如何实现的,表演者是如何进行伪装的、又是如何展现自己的?根据海德格尔的理论,当我们看不到钉子的时候,铁锤的表现才是成功的;钉子本身的出现通常表明出现了问题。     

A comparative study on structural,morphological and photocatalytic properties of anodically grown ZnO nanowires under varying parameters

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) were successfully produced on Zn plates through electrochemical anodization in potassium...     

Effect of constraint on fracture behavior of welded 17mn4 and aisi304 steels

In this study, 17Mn4 (P295GH) pressure vessels steel and AISI304 stainless steel were welded with ER309L austenitic consumable. In experimental part of the study, tensile tests were conducted on welded plates and variation of hardness values along specimen was measured. J-integral fracture toughness values were investigated for different crack locations. In order to determine the regions where plastic deformation did not take place due to constraint, uni-axial tensile test was performed on welded tensile specimen after attaching strain gauges. In numerical part of the study, finite element (FE) analyses were conducted by fixing 2-D models precracked on different locations by using ANSYS software. In these models, stress triaxiality and plastic deformation characteristics around crack tip were determined for each crack locations after stress — strain analyses. The limitation on the extension of plastic deformation at diffusion line causes extra increase in stress triaxiality at crack tip.