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Better Design (good + design)
Selected AbstractsOligonucleotide Duplexes with Tethered Photoreactive Ruthenium(II) Complexes: Influence of the Ligands and Their Linker on the Photoinduced Electron Transfer and Crosslinking Processes of the Two StrandsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2009Stéphanie Deroo Abstract The photoreactivity of new RuII -oligonucleotide conjugates is investigated in the presence of their complementary strands. The goal is to determine the origins of different effects of parameters that control the photocrosslinking process of the two strands. Therefore, two RuII compounds, either [Ru(tap)3]2+or [Ru(tap)2phen]2+ (tap = 1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) with different oxidation powers, were tethered with different linkers to either the 5,- or 3,-phosphate end of the probe strand before hybridization with the complementary strand. These systems were studied by time-resolved emission spectroscopy, UV/Vis absorption experiments, PAGE and MS (ESI) analyses. The best yields of photocrosslinking (45,%) obtained with [Ru(tap)3]2+ tethered to the 3,-position are due to (i) a higher oxidation power of the complex and (ii) its attachment at the 3,-position. Indeed, this tethering favours the interaction of the Ru compound with the duplex and, therefore, inhibits its photodechelation. This work allows better design of sequence-specific DNA photodamaging agents prior to biological applications.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] Accounting for velocity anisotropy in seismic traveltime tomography: a case study from the investigation of the foundations of a Byzantine monumental buildingGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 1 2006L. Polymenakos ABSTRACT We estimate velocity anisotropy factors from seismic traveltime tomographic data and apply a correction for anisotropy in the inversion procedure to test possible improvements on the traveltime fit and the quality of the resulting tomographic images. We applied the anisotropy correction on a traveltime data set obtained from the investigation of the foundation structure of a monumental building: a Byzantine church from the 11th century AD, in Athens, Greece. Vertical transverse isotropy is represented by one axis of symmetry and one anisotropy magnitude for the entire tomographic inversion grid. We choose the vertical direction for the symmetry axis by analysing the available data set and taking into account information on the character of the foundations of the church from the literature and past excavations. The anisotropy magnitude is determined by testing a series of values of anisotropy and examining their effect on the tomographic inversion results. The best traveltime fit and image quality are obtained with an anisotropy value (Vmax/Vmin) of 1.6, restricted to the high velocity structures in the subsurface. We believe that this anisotropy value, which is significantly higher than the usual values reported for near-surface geological material, is related to the fabric of the church foundations, due to the shape of the individual stone blocks and the layout of the stonework. Inversion results obtained with the correction for anisotropy indicate that both the traveltime fit and the image quality are improved, providing an enhanced reconstruction of the velocity field, especially for the high-velocity features. Based on this enhanced and more reliable reconstruction of velocity distribution, an improved image of the subsurface material character was made possible. In particular, the pattern and state of the church foundations and possible weak ground material areas were revealed more clearly. This improved subsurface knowledge may assist in a better design of restoration measures for monumental buildings such as Byzantine churches. [source] Evaluation of a job-aiding tool in inspection systemsHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 1 2008Edem Tetteh Visual inspection plays a very important role in ensuring quality in the manufacturing and service industries. Two determinants of inspection performance are visual search and decision-making. Improvement in any one of the components will have an impact on system performance. Job-aids, accompanied by training, have proven to be effective in enhancing accuracy and reducing search time in visual inspection systems. This article aims to investigate the effects of search strategy along with task complexity and pacing on inspection performance using a job-aiding tool. To facilitate the experiments, an enhanced job-aiding tool in a simulated visual inspection environment was developed. This tool enables an inspector to track his or her search path in visual inspection systems. A pilot study and two experiments were conducted using this tool. The pilot study examined the effectiveness of the job-aiding tool. The first experiment studied the effect of search strategy and task complexity on inspection system performance and the second experiment studied the impact of search strategy, task complexity, and pacing on system performance. Results from this research can be used to better design an inspection system. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] An evolutionary optimization of diffuser shapes based on CFD simulationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 10 2010S. Ghosh Abstract An efficient and robust algorithm is presented for the optimum design of plane symmetric diffusers handling incompressible turbulent flow. The indigenously developed algorithm uses the CFD software: Fluent for the hydrodynamic analysis and employs a genetic algorithm (GA) for optimization. For a prescribed inlet velocity and outlet pressure, pressure recovery coefficient C (the objective function) is estimated computationally for various design options. The CFD software and the GA have been combined in a monolithic platform for a fully automated operation using some special control commands. Based on the developed algorithm, an extensive exercise has been made to optimize the diffuser shape. Different methodologies have been adopted to create a large number of design options. Interestingly, not much difference has been noted in the optimum C values obtained through different approaches. However, in all the approaches, a better design has been obtained through a proper selection of the number of design variables. Finally, the effect of diffuser length on the optimum shape has also been studied. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Fundamental heat transfer mechanism between bed-to-membrane water-walls in circulating fluidized bed combustorsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 9 2003B.V. Reddy Abstract In the present work, the fundamental mechanism between bed-to-membrane water-walls in the riser column of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustor is presented. The bed-to-membrane water-wall heat transfer depends on the contributions of particle heat transfer, dispersed phase heat transfer and radiation heat transfer. The fundamental mechanism of particle heat transfer and the effect of fraction of wall exposed to clusters and gas gap thickness between cluster and wall on particle heat transfer coefficient and bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient are investigated. The influence of operating parameters like cross-sectional average volumetric solids concentration and bed temperature on particle and bed-to-wall heat transfer are also reported. The present work contributes some fundamental information on particle heat transfer mechanism, which is responsible for increasing the bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient (apart from dispersed phase convection and radiation heat transfer). The details on particle heat transfer mechanism will enable to understand the basic heat transfer phenomena between bed-to-membrane water-walls in circulating fluidized bed combustors in a detailed way, which in turn will aid for better design of CFB combustor units. The particle heat transfer mechanism is significantly influenced by the fraction of wall exposed to clusters and gas gap thickness between clusters and wall. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF HEATED CORNSTARCH,WATER MIXTURESJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2009EDUARDO MORALES-SANCHEZ ABSTRACT Electrical conductivity (EC) of cornstarch,water mixtures in the range 10:90 to 70:30 (w/w) was studied as a function of temperature. An external resistive heating system equipped with an electronic device capable of monitoring EC in real time was used and EC of the mixtures was measured while heated at a rate of 5C/min. Results showed that EC went through four different temperature-dependent stages (A, B, C and D). Stage B (41C to 64C) showed a lower EC increasing rate when compared with that of Stage A (from 25C to 41C), probably as a result of starch granule swelling. In Stage C (64C to 78C), EC behavior was found to be dependent on water content. When water content was more than 50%, the value for EC increased. On the other side, EC decreased when water content was less than 50%. Stage C was related to starch gelatinization, according to differential scanning calorimetry results obtained in this study. In Stage D (78C to 92C), a steady increase in EC was observed, probably as a result of the total solubilization of starch in water. It was concluded that Stage C in EC graphs corresponded to cornstarch gelatinization, so it might be possible to use EC monitoring as an alternative technique to measure cornstarch thermal characteristics with different contents of water. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Electrical conductivity can be used as an adequate technique to monitor gelatinization, granule swelling and phase change of starch as a function of temperature in corn starch,water mixtures with a wide range of water contents. With this technique, it is also possible to calculate important thermal parameters, such as the beginning and end of the gelatinization and the energy activation for the heating process of cornstarch. This can lead to a better design and control of important industrial corn processes such as alkaline cooking. [source] Improving the prognosis of patients after radical cystectomy.BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2007Part II: the role of perioperative chemotherapy In this review we analyse the current status of perioperative systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder; instead of summarizing each neoadjuvant or adjuvant clinical trial we focus on the advantages and disadvantages of both strategies on the basis of theoretical considerations, and outline a rationale for a better design of future studies to confirm the efficacy of perioperative chemotherapy in TCC. [source] The Study of Molecular Modeling for Heavy Oil Thermal CrackingCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 9 2007L. Yan Abstract The tighter specifications for refining products have gradually led refineries to focus on the molecular modeling of petroleum processing. In this work, a systematic methodology is presented for the molecular modeling of heavy oil thermal cracking (HOTC). This research which is based on a microscopic understanding provides a basis to achieve better design, management, optimization, and control of HOTC. The molecular information of HOTC product streams is represented in the form of a MTHS (molecular type homologous series) matrix. From consideration of the complexity of structural isomers in heavy petroleum fractions, the heavy molecules in a homologous series are grouped to reduce the dimension of the MTHS matrix. Transformation correlations are developed to capture the molecular properties of each homologous series in the MTHS matrix and to interrelate the molecular composition and bulk properties of the product streams. The HOTC process model was built on the basis of the molecular representation provided by the MTHS matrix and the transformation correlations. Two case studies are illustrated for validation of the proposed model and methodology. [source] Therapeutic options for esophageal cancerJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2004SIMON LAW Abstract Options for the treatment of esophageal cancer used to be very limited, with surgical resection and radiotherapy methods aimed at both cure or palliation, and, in those unfortunate patients with severe dysphagia, intubation with a plastic prosthesis to restore esophageal luminal patency. Progress in the management of this cancer in the past two decades includes refinement in surgical techniques and perioperative care, better radiological staging methods, enhanced means of planning and delivering radiotherapy, multimodality treatments, and better designs in esophageal prosthesis. For individual patients, a stage-directed therapeutic plan can be used. Long-term survival, however, remains suboptimal for this deadly disease. The current review presents an overview of the commonly employed therapeutic options for esophageal cancer at the beginning of the 21st century. [source] Sketches from a Design Process: Creative Cognition Inferred From Intermediate ProductsCOGNITIVE SCIENCE - A MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, Issue 1 2005Saskia Jaarsveld Abstract Novice designers produced a sequence of sketches while inventing a logo for a novel brand of soft drink. The sketches were scored for the presence of specific objects, their local features and global composition. Self-assessment scores for each sketch and art critics' scores for the end products were collected. It was investigated whether the design evolves in an essentially random fashion or according to an overall heuristic. The results indicated a macrostructure in the evolution of the design, characterized by two stages. For the majority of participants, the first stage is marked by the introduction and modification of novel objects and their local and global aspects; the second stage is characterized by changes in their global composition. The minority that showed the better designs has a different strategy, in which most global changes were made in the beginning. Although participants did not consciously apply these strategies, their self-assessment scores reflect the stages of the process. [source] Design of forming shoulders with complex cross-sectionsPACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Issue 4 2005C. J. McPherson Abstract Vertical ,form, fill and seal' machines are used to produce bags for packing particulate or multiple objects. In operation, film is drawn over a forming shoulder and the good design of the surfaces of the shoulder is vital to the successful operation. This paper reviews underlying geometrical definition for the shoulder, corresponding to a filling tube with circular cross-section. In practice, such cross-sections occur frequently, but other variant shapes are becoming increasingly common. A method is discussed and demonstrated for extending the approach to allow tubes formed from circular arcs and straight line segments to be handled. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Accelerated Reliability Qualification in Automotive TestingQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2004Alex Porter Abstract Products must come to market quickly, be more reliable and cost less. The problem is that statistical measures take time. There is a clear need for actionable information about the robustness or durability of a product early in the development process. In a Failure Mode Verification Test (FMVT), the analysis is not statistical but is designed to check two assumptions. First, that the design is capable of producing a viable product for the environments applied. Second, that a good design and fabrication of the product would last for a long period of time under all of the stresses that it is expected to see and would accumulate stress damage throughout the product in a uniform way. Testing a product in this way leads to three measures of the product's durability: (1) design maturity, the ratio between time to first failure and the average time between failures after the first failure; (2) technological limit, the time under test at which fixing additional failures would not provide a significant improvement in the life of the product; and (3) failure mode histogram, which indicates the repeatability of failures in a product. Using techniques like FMVT can provide a means of breaking the tyranny of statistics over durability and reliability testing in a competitive business climate. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Design Vulnerability Analysis and Design Improvement by Using Warranty DataQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2004Kai Yang Abstract Continuous improvement in reliability is one of the key factors to success in the world automobile market. Good reliability can only be achieved through good design and manufacturing practice. Manufacturers want to allocate their limited resources to improvement in such a way that they can get the highest benefits. The warranty claims database contains more information than any other test for the reliability of products in actual use. Assisted by a design vulnerability index derived from the axiomatic design principle, warranty data can be used to identify the areas of the product such that the improvement of these areas will maximize the gain in reliability improvement. In this paper, we provide a methodology of utilizing warranty data to prioritize design improvement efforts based on design vulnerability and the feedback from warranty data. The methodology is illustrated with an example case. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A Digital Breeder for Designing CitiesARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, Issue 4 2009Michael Batty Abstract The idea that inspired designs mirror processes of biological evolution is fast gaining ground as we learn more about how complex systems such as cities function. Michael Batty illustrates how cities can now be grown in ,digital laboratories' and, by imposing realistic constraints on their form, begin to breed ,good designs' that emerge from continual feedbacks that reinforce the best and iron out the worst. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||