Factors Affecting Japanese HPV-Vaccination: Findings from the Semi-Structured Interviews with Adolescent Girls and Caregivers

The objective of the present study was to qualitatively assess the obstructive and facilitative factors affecting adolescent girls and their caregivers when the adolescent had received or was considering receiving the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination. Using these data, we propose recommendations for medical and nursing staff concerned with HPV vaccination. Participants were 20 adolescent girls (aged 10 - 19 years) and their caregivers, who had visited any of the 3 pediatric clinics in the Tokyo metropolitan area during a specified period since HPV vaccination began in Japan. The girls and their caregivers were separately interviewed by 2 child and/or family nursing care specialists with a semi-structured interview. The responses were qualitatively analyzed by 2 specialists, and the obstructive and facilitative factors affecting participants’ decision to receive HPV vaccination were extracted from the responses. Among the 20 sets of participants, 7 adolescents had completed HPV vaccination, 9 were going to receive vaccination, and 4 had not received any vaccination. The obstructive/facilitative factors related to considering or receiving HPV vaccination and actual vaccination were extracted and 4 main categories of factors were identified. Facilitators toward HPV-vaccination of daughters included clear future self-image and visions, fear Cervical Cancer (CC) and desire to escape from CC, having discussion with mothers about HPV-vaccination and CC, and to have a boyfriend. Barriers toward vaccination included the mothers’ reluctance to explain the sexual matters about HPV-vaccination to their daughters and difficulty with find the appropriate clinic or hospital to HPV-vaccination. Relevant factors about vaccination included positive family attitudes toward vaccination, having family system allowing consultation and having a public financial support for vaccination for daughters. Our conceptual model adapted from the Katz, et al. conceptual framework integrated the key barriers and facilitators as factors within each of four domains. These four domains have an important link. Especially, the environmental factors and the structural and sociocultural factors domain affect the individual adolescent and the caregiver factors domain, respectively. The results of present study suggest that medical/nursing activities centered on promoting HPV vaccination in Japan should comprehensively cover CC/vaccination/sex education in an integrated fashion, while schools and public health centers should provide opportunities for caregivers and adolescents to jointly participate in awareness education on HPV vaccination.

Specification and Verification for Semi-Structured Data

Tree logic, inherited from ambient logic, is introduced as the formal foundation of related programming language and type systems, In this paper, we introduce recursion into such logic system, which can describe the tree data more dearly and concisely. By making a distinction between proposition and predicate, a concise semantics interpretation for our modal logic is given. We also develop a model checking algorithm for the logic without △ operator. The correctness of the algorithm is shown. Such work can be seen as the basis of the semi-structured data processing language and more flexible type system.

Wave Forces on Submerged Semi-Circular Breakwater and Similar Structures

The results of design and experiment of a submerged semi-circular breakwater at the Yangtze estuary show that the submerged structure will be unsafe when the general empirical wave force formula for semi-circular breakwater is used in design. Therefore, a new calculation method for the wave forces acting on a submerged semi-circular structure is given in this paper, in which the wave force acting on the inside circumference of semi-circular arch is included, and the phase modification coefficient in the general empirical formula is adjusted as well. The new wave force calculation method has been Verified by the results of seven related physical model tests and adopted in the design of the south esturary jetty of the first stage project of Deep Channel Improvement Project of the Yangtze River Estuary, the total jetty length being 17.5 km.

Effects of compressing and remelting in SIMA processing on semi-solid structure evolution of an Al-Zn wrought alloy

Structure evolution of an Al-Zn wrought alloy in remelting processing in thestrain induced melt activated (SIMA) serai-solid procedure was observed, and effects of factors, theremelting temperature, the holding time, and the compression strain, on structures and grain sizesof the alloy were investigated. The results show that (1) the proper temperature of remelting is inthe range of 610 to 615℃; (2) the grain size in specimen with greater compression strain is smallerthan that with smaller compression strain in condition of the same remelting temperature andholding time, and the grain size in local area with great local equivalent strain is smaller thanthat with small one; (3) liquid occurs in form of cluster in matrix during remelting and itsquantity increases with remelting time increasing; liquid in specimen with great compression strainoccurs earlier than that with small one, and quantity of liquid in the center of specimen withgreater local equivalent strain is greater than that in the two ends of it; (4) distortion energyafter deforming in matrix of the alloy is the significant factor to activate melting of matrix atlocal area with great local equivalent strain.

Structural evolution of ZA27 alloy during semi-solid isothermal heat treatment

The structural evolution of ZA27 alloy modified by element Zr was studied during semi solid isothermal heat treatment, and its transformation mechanism was also discussed. The results indicate that the primary α phase changes from equiaxed grains to spherical grains gradually at semi solid temperature of 460 ℃. With increasing isothermal time, the eutectic between boundaries of α phase diffuses toward α phase, and the primary equiaxed grain arms merge and boundaries tend to disappear to form near particle grains. Further, the eutectic left on α boundaries melts to make the near particle grains separate, and form spherical structure at last. [

Fuzzy Optimum Model of Semi-Structural Decision for Lectotype Optimization of Offshore Platforms

In the process of concept design of offshore platforms, it is necessary to select the best from feasible alternatives through comparison and filter. The criterion set, used to evaluate and select the satisfying alternative, consists of many qualitative and quantitative factors. Therefore, the selection is a problem of multicriteria and semi-structural decision-making. Different from traditional methods in semi-structural decision-making, a new framework and methodology is presented in this paper for evaluation of offshore platform alternatives, First, the criterion set is established for the evaluation of alternatives. Next, the approach is studied to construct the relative membership degree matrix, in which both qualitative and quantitative factors are consistent with the uniform calculating standard. And then a new weight-assessing method is developed for calculation of the weights based on the relative membership degree matrix. Finally, a multi-hierarchy fuzzy optimum model is adopted to select the satisfying offshore platform alternative. A case study shows that the new framework and methodology are scientific, reasonable and easy to use in practice.

Strength Analysis on Brace Structure for Semi-Submersible in Consideration of Wave Slamming

Slamming on bracings of column stabilized units shall be considered as a possible limiting criterion under transit condition based on the requirements in DNV-OS-C103. However, the wave slamming loads under survival condition were ignored for the strength analysis of the brace structures in many semi-submersible projects. In this paper, a method of strength analysis of brace structure is proposed based on the reconstruction and extrapolation of numerical model. The full-scale mooring system, the wind, wave and current loads can be considered simultaneously. Firstly,the model tests of the semi-submersible platform in wind tunnel and wave tanker have been carried out. Secondly,the numerical models of the platform are reconstructed and extrapolated based on the results of model tests. Then, a nonlinear numerical analysis has been conducted to study the wave slamming load on brace in semi-submersible platform through the reconstructed and extrapolated numerical model. For the randomness of wave load, ten subcases under each condition have been carried out. The value of the 90% Gumble distribution values of the ten subcases are used. Finally, the strength on brace structure has been analyzed considering the wave slamming. The wave slamming loads have been compared between the survival condition and transit condition with the method. The results indicate that wave slamming under survival condition is more critical than that under transit condition.Meanwhile, the wave slamming is significant to the structural strength of the brace. It should be overall considered in the strength analysis of the brace structure.

Seismic structural control using semi-active tuned mass dampers

This paper focuses on how to determine the instantaneous damping of the semi-active tuned mass damper (SATMD) with continuously variable damping.An off-and-towards-equilibrium (OTE) algorithm is employed to examine the control performance of the structure/SATMD system by considering the damping as an assumptive control action.The damping modification of the SATMD is carried out according to the proposed OTE algorithm,which is formulated based on analysis of the structural movement under external excitations,and the measured responses of the structure at every time instant. As examples two numerical simulations of a five-storey and a ten-storey shear structures with a SATMD on the roof are conducted.The effectiveness on vibration reduction of MDOF systems subjected to seismic excitations is discussed.Analysis results show that the behavior of the structure with a SATMD is significantly improved and the feasibility of applying the OTE algorithm to the structural control design of SATMD is also verified.

A SEMI-ANALYTICAL AND SEMI-NUMERICAL METHOD FOR SOLVING 2-D SOUND-STRUCTURE INTERACTION PROBLEMS

Based on the transfer matrix method and the virtual source simulation technique, this paper proposes a novel semi-analytical and semi-numerical method for solving 2-D sound- structure interaction problems under a harmonic excitation.Within any integration segment, as long as its length is small enough,along the circumferential curvilinear coordinate,the non- homogeneous matrix differential equation of an elastic ring of complex geometrical shape can be rewritten in terms of the homogeneous one by the method of extended homogeneous capacity proposed in this paper.For the exterior fluid domain,the multi-circular virtual source simulation technique is adopted.The source density distributed on each virtual circular curve may be ex- panded as the Fourier's series.Combining with the inverse fast Fourier transformation,a higher accuracy and efficiency method for solving 2-D exterior Helmholtz's problems is presented in this paper.In the aspect of solution to the coupling equations,the state vectors of elastic ring induced by the given harmonic excitation and generalized forces of coefficients of the Fourier series can be obtained respectively by using a high precision integration scheme combined with the method of extended homogeneous capacity put forward in this paper.According to the superposition princi- ple and compatibility conditions at the interface between the elastic ring and fluid,the algebraic equation of system can be directly constructed by using the least square approximation.Examples of acoustic radiation from two typical fluid-loaded elastic rings under a harmonic concentrated force are presented.Numerical results show that the method proposed is more efficient than the mixed FE-BE method in common use.

Effect of Semi-Solid Isothermal Heat Treatment on Microstructure of ZL104 Aluminum Alloy

The feasibility of fabricating ZL104 aluminum alloy with non-dendritic microstructure by semi-solid isothermal heat treatment process and the effects of holding temperature and time on the semi-solid isothermal heat-treated microstructure of the alloy, are investigated. The research results indicate that it is possible to produce ZL104 alloy with non-dendritic microstructure by a suitable semi-solid isothermal heat treatment. After treated at 580 ℃ for 120 min, the ZL104 alloy can obtain a non-dendritic microstructure with an 49% liquid content and an average size range of 115 μm of the unmelted primary solid particles. In addition, an increase in the holding time from 30 to 120 min for a given holding temperature of 580 ℃ or in the holding temperature from 570 to 580 ℃ for a given holding time of 120 min causes the average size and globular tendency of unmelted primary solid particles in the semi-solid ZL104 alloy to decrease and become more obvious, respectively.

Effects of process parameters on pore structure of semi-coke prepared by solid heat carrier with dry distillation

The semi-coke was prepared by solid heat carrier with dry distillation in single factor method. The pore structures of raw coal and semi-coke were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the adsorption and desorption isotherm of semi-coke are not coincident. There was a wide pore distribution on the semi-coke, in which mesopores and micropores account for a considerable proportion. Also there are many more secondary pores. With the increase of the final temperature of heat carrier and constant temperature, as well as the decrease of volume ratio of coal and hot carrier reactor, specific surface area and pore volume of semi-coke increased rapidly first and then decreased and finally increased, along with the rapidly reduction of average pore size. SEM photos show that the surface of semi-coke becomes increasingly rough and glossy.

Research on semi-active control method of a building structure based on non-smooth control

This study investigates the effectiveness of the non-smooth semi-active control algorithm on suppressing the vibration performance of a building structure subjected to seismic waves. According to the Lyapunov stability theory, it has bene proven that the non-smooth semi-active control algorithm can achieve a finite-time stability of the vibration relative to the isolation layer of a building structure. Through numerical simulation of two buildings with different parameters subjected to the input of a seismic wave, the vibration conditions of passive control, LQR semi-active control and non-smooth semiactive control are compared and analyzed. The simulation results show that the non-smooth semi-active control algorithm has a better robustness and effectiveness in restraining the impact of earthquakes on the structure.

Semi-synthesis and Crystal Structure of Sophoridine N-oxide

Sophoridine N-oxide was synthesized and characterized by 1H-NMR,EI-MS,IR and elemental analysis,together with X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis,and its crystal structure was reported for the first time.The crystal belongs to the orthorhombic system,space group P212121 with a = 8.321（2）,b = 15.650（3）,c = 24.352（5） ,V = 3171.1（11） 3,Z = 8,Dc = 1.258 g/cm3,λ（CuKα） = 1.54178,F（000） = 1440,the final R = 0.0351 and wR = 0.0970.The crystal structure shows Sophoridine N-oxide crystallizes with two host molecules of similar conformation and four water solvent molecules in the asymmetric unit.In the crystal structure,intermolecular O-H…O hydrogen bonds link the constituent molecules into a 2D layer structure,which further extends to a 3D supramolecular architecture via Van der Waals interactions and intermolecular O-H…O hydrogen bonds.

Effect of deformation processing parameter on microscopic structure of Ti14 alloy under semi-solid

Hot compressive deformation test of Ti-Al-Cu-Si alloy was performed on Gleeble-3500 hot-Simulator over the range of deformation temperature from 1 000 to 1 300 ℃,strain rate from 0.005 s-1 to 5 s-1,deformation degree from 40% to 70%,and samples of d 8 mm×15 mm were used. Change rules of microstructure were mainly studied. The results show that deformation temperature directly influences the nucleation growth and globurizing of grain,and with the temperature rising,the diameter of grain increases,the grain boundary widens. The effect of deformation degree on microstructure varies with deformation temperature. Equivalent diameter of grains shows a trend of falling before elevation with strain rate increasing and temperature rising.

Seismic protection of frame structures via semi-active control:modeling and implementation issues

Theoretical and practical issues concerning the multi-faceted task of mitigating the latero-torsional seismic response of a prototypal frame structure with asymmetric mass distribution are approached, Chevron braces with embedded magnetorheological dampers acting on the interstory drift are used to ensure additional energy dissipation. The semi-active control strategy employed to govern the modification of the damper characteristics via feedback is based on the selection of optimal forces according to a H2/LQG criterion, with respect to which the actual forces are regulated by a clipped-optimal logic. A dynamic observer is used to estimate the state through a non-collocated placement of the acceleration sensors. Several aspects to be addressed throughout the complex process including the design, modelization, and implementation phases of semi-active protection systems are discussed. Finally, experimental results obtained to mitigate the motion induced by ground excitation in a large-scale laboratory prototype, simulating the seismic response of a two-story building, are summarized.

Microstructure Evolution of Semi-solid Processed Hyper-eutectic Al-30%Si Alloy

An investigation was made on the influences of mechanical stirring on microstructure of hyper-eutectic Al-30%Si alloy (inmass fraction) during solidification. The primary Si crystals formed in the alloy melt were gradually changed from elongated platelets tonear-spherical shapes by mechanical stirring. The spheroidization of primary St crystals occurs by the mechanism of bending and fractureof Si platelets, wear and collision between Si crystals, and coalescence of small Si particles. The influence of under-cooling and coolingrate of the alloy melt on primary Si crystals of semi-solid processed alloys is investigated as well. The increase of under-cooling andcooling rate decreases the size of primary Si crystals.

Semi-Probabilistic Evaluation of System Redundancy for Existing Offshore Structures

In this paper, a new definition of structure system redundancy is proposed in view of the various measures for structure redundancy. By introducing the terms of structure system failure at the mechanism level and equivalent reliability index, the safety for existing offshore platforms can be evaluated by the semi-probabilistic method presented in this paper. Some numerical examples are given and satisfactory results have been obtained.

Study on semi-active control of mega-sub controlled structure by MR damper subject to random wind loads

The recently proposed mega-sub controlled structure （MSCS）, a new type of structure associated with the design and construction of super-tall buildings, has attracted the attention of designers for use in enhancing the control effectiveness in mega-frame buildings. In this paper, a dynamic equation and method to assemble parameter matrixes for a mega-sub controlled structure under random wind loads is presented. Semi-active control using magnetorheological dampers for the MSCS under random wind loads is investigated, and is compared with a corresponding system without dampers. A parametric study of the relative stiffness ratio and relative mass ratio between the mega-frame and the substructures, as well as the additional column stiffness ratio that influences the response control effectiveness of the MSCS, is discussed. The studies reveal, for the first time, that different control mechanisms exist. The results indicate that the proposed structure employing semi-active control can offer an effective control mechanism. Guidelines for selecting parameters are provided based on the analytical study.

Theoretical and experimental research on a new system of semi-active structural control with variable stiffness and damping

In this paper,a new system of semi active structural control with active variable stiffness and damping (AVSD) is suggested.This new system amplifies the structural displacement to dissipate more energy,and in turn,effectively reduces the structural response in the case of relatively small story drifts,which occur during earthquakes.A predictive instantaneous optimal control algorithm is established for a SDOF structure equipped with an AVSD system Comparative shaking table tests of a 1/4 scale single story structural model with a full scale control device have been conducted.From the experimental and analytical results,it is shown that when compared to structures without control or with the active variable stiffness control alone, the suggested system exhibits higher efficiency in controlling the structural response,requires less energy input,operates with higher reliability,and can be manufactured at a lower cost and used in a wider range of engineering applications.

Trust-region based instantaneous optimal semi-active control of long-span spatially extended structures with MRF-04K damper

In the field of civil engineering, magnetorheological fluid （MRF） damper-based semi-active control systems have received considerable attention for use in protecting structures from natural hazards such as strong earthquakes and high winds. In this paper, the MRF damper-based semi-active control system is applied to a long-span spatially extended structure and its feasibility is discussed. Meanwhile, a _trust-region method based instantaneous optimal semi-active control algorithm （TIOC） is proposed to improve the performance of the semi-active control system in a multiple damper situation. The proposed TIOC describes the control process as a bounded constraint optimization problem, in which an optimal semi- active control force vector is solved by the trust-region method in every control step to minimize the structural responses. A numerical example of a railway station roof structure installed with MRF-04K dampers is presented. First, a modified Bouc- Wen model is utilized to describe the behavior of the selected MRF-04K damper. Then, two semi-active control systems, including the well-known clipped-optimal controller and the proposed TIOC controller, are considered. Based on the characteristics of the long-span spatially extended structure, the performance of the control system is evaluated under uniform earthquake excitation and travelling-wave excitation with different apparent velocities. The simulation results indicate that the MR fluid damper-based semi-active control systems have the potential to mitigate the responses of full-scale long-span spatially extended structures under earthquake hazards. The superiority of the proposed TIOC controller is demonstrated by comparing its control effectiveness with the clipped-optimal controller for several different cases.