THE EFFECT OF RT-PA ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH THROMBIN INHIBITORS IN A MODEL OF CEREBROVASCULAR THROMBOSIS IN THE RABBIT

Occlusivevasculardisorders,bothvenousandarterial,aresomeofthemostcommoncausesofmorbidityandmortalityindevelopedcountries.Theaimoftherapyinsuchconditionsis,firstly,torestoreandmaintainbloodflowtotheaffectedtissueororgan,andsecondly,torestorethesystemtothenormalhaemostaticstatewithoutovercompensatingandproducingcomplicationssuchashaemorrhage.Thrombolyticagents,suchasrecombinanttissueplasminogenactivator(rt-PA),arewidelyusedinthetreatmentofpatientswithacutemyocardialinfarction.However,successful…     

Pollution history of a tropical estuary revealed by combined hydrodynamic modelling and sediment geochemistry

Hydrodynamic modelling of water movement in Hunts Bay, a protected part of Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, shows that depth averaged tidal flows are very low. In the northeast corner of Hunts Bay, water is essentially stagnant. Even under high flow conditions, much of the Bay bottom water is ‘bypassed' by buoyant, lower salinity surface flows. The muddy sediments of Hunts Bay reflect these sluggish to stagnant conditions; sediment cores from the northeast corner of the Bay contain progressively higher amounts of organic matter in their upper parts (last 15–20 years sedimentation). Combined C/N ratios and stable carbon isotope compositions of this organic matter imply a sewage origin. Both lead and chromium metal concentrations and enrichment factors relative to average crustal shales show geographically related patterns that reflect hydrodynamic circulation predicted by modelling. In particular, metal concentrations and enrichment factors are highest at the northern end of the bay, especially in the northeast corner. Modelling confirms that stagnant conditions would occur in the northeast part of the bay even without the presence of a major causeway. The causeway may contribute to low flow conditions, but is not the principal cause of organic contamination, which is simply an excessive input of sewage.     

The experience of express coach deregulation in Great Britain

This paper reviews the effect of express coach deregulation in Britain following the Transport Act 1980. The authors have monitored the range of services offered before and after the Act, using operators' literature, roadside surveys, on-vehicle passenger interviews and interviews with operators as sources of information. These are used to present an overall picture of express deregulation, with particular reference to changes in real fare levels, and also the relative importance of competition within the coach industry compared with that of inter-modal competition (that between coach and rail). The latter has emerged as more significant.The greater part of the paper is devoted to analysis of the long-distance market but the development of commuter coach services into central London is also examined, together with the reasons why independent operators have secured a larger share of this market.     

Application of fuzzy theory for identifying the required availability of an autonomous localization unit in European Train Control System

According to the evolution tendency of the control decision process from a trackside to a train-borne system, various autonomous localization units for railway vehicles were developed. As recommended in railway standards, the design process of each system, here the autonomous localization units (LU), follows the V-model whose first step is to define its availability requirement in order to satisfy the global ETCS system requirements. The classical approach for assigning the subsystem availability is based on the assumption that failure parameters of other units are precisely known. This assumption is too restricted in reality due to the lack of information. In this paper, we propose a new approach that allows taking into account uncertainties in the dependability parameters of the ETCS components for identifying the upper threshold of the LU unavailability to reach ETCS availability requirements. Using fuzzy fault trees, the fuzzy unavailability of the ETCS without the autonomous LU is evaluated. Then, based on its membership function, we assess the satisfaction rate that an advanced ETCS with the autonomous LU can satisfy the ETCS availability target.     

采用自动识别系统对水下输气管线、离岸平台和船舶检验评分的实时监测（英文）

The aim of this research is to develop an algorithm and application that can perform real-time monitoring of the safety operation of offshore platforms and subsea gas pipelines as well as determine the need for ship inspection using data obtained from automatic identification system(AIS). The research also focuses on the integration of shipping database,AIS data, and others to develop a prototype for designing a real-time monitoring system of offshore platforms and pipelines. A simple concept is used in the development of this prototype, which is achieved by using an overlaying map that outlines the coordinates of the offshore platform and subsea gas pipeline with the ship's coordinates(longitude/latitude) as detected by AIS. Using such information, we can then build an early warning system(EWS) relayed through short message service(SMS), email, or other means when the ship enters the restricted and exclusion zone of platforms and pipelines. The ship inspection system is developed by combining several attributes. Then, decision analysis software is employed to prioritize the vessel's four attributes, including ship age, ship type, classification, and flag state.Results show that the EWS can increase the safety level of offshore platforms and pipelines, as well as the efficient use of patrol boats in monitoring the safety of the facilities. Meanwhile, ship inspection enables the port to prioritize the ship to be inspected in accordance with the priority ranking inspection score.     

Real-time Monitoring of Subsea Gas Pipelines,Offshore Platforms,and Ship Inspection Scores Using an Automatic Identification System

The aim of this research is to develop an algorithm and application that can perform real-time monitoring of the safety operation of offshore platforms and subsea gas pipelines as well as determine the need for ship inspection using data obtained from automatic identification system (AIS). The research also focuses on the integration of shipping database, AIS data, and others to develop a prototype for designing a real-time monitoring system of offshore platforms and pipelines. A simple concept is used in the development of this prototype, which is achieved by using an overlaying map that outlines the coordinates of the offshore platform and subsea gas pipeline with the ship’s coordinates (longitude/latitude) as detected by AIS. Using such information, we can then build an early warning system (EWS) relayed through short message service (SMS), email, or other means when the ship enters the restricted and exclusion zone of platforms and pipelines. The ship inspection system is developed by combining several attributes. Then, decision analysis software is employed to prioritize the vessel’s four attributes, including ship age, ship type, classification, and flag state. Results show that the EWS can increase the safety level of offshore platforms and pipelines, as well as the efficient use of patrol boats in monitoring the safety of the facilities. Meanwhile, ship inspection enables the port to prioritize the ship to be inspected in accordance with the priority ranking inspection score.     

Challenges in the application of spatial computable general equilibrium models for transport appraisal

The use of spatial computable general equilibrium (SCGE) models for assessing the economic impacts of transport projects is one of the key items on the research agenda for project appraisal in the Netherlands. These models are particularly suitable for analysing indirect effects of transport projects through linkages between the transport sector and the wider economy. Potentially, according to the literature, indirect effects that are additional to first-order direct cost reductions can turn out to be up to almost 80% in magnitude of the direct impacts. Given the relevance of these models for policy appraisal, experiences with this new modelling approach are important to report. After two years of development and application of SCGE models for transport appraisal, we found that the translation of theory behind the spatial equilibrium models into practical model specifications and empirical applications is a challenging task, and may lead to problems in project appraisal in terms of inaccuracies in the assessment of impacts. This paper discusses some key challenges we encountered with the specification of the Dutch SCGE model RAEM. This chapter is especially useful for researchers developing SCGE applications for use in transport appraisal and those who want to get a better understanding of differences between theoretical and computable SCGE modelling.     

Investigation of hardware-in-the-loop for use in suspension development

Hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) is a testing method in which real-time measurements on physical hardware replace the mathematical model of the particular hardware during simulation. The development of a semi-active suspension prompted the need for such capability. HiL, implemented on a PC with a dSpace^TM board in conjunction with a hydrodynamic actuator, was compared to software simulations of single degree of freedom (DOF) and two DOF systems. HiL was also compared to a physical (ballast-based) two DOF system, comprising the rear suspension of a motorcycle. Comparisons between the HiL and software responses showed its suitability for testing suspension systems, thus providing a viable alternative to ballast-based suspension tests, using available hardware. The research also showed that actuator dynamics, filter types and amounts, and signal reference levels required special consideration.