Arjowiggins (France)

This article presents a study of a reconfigurable patch antenna using a p-i-n diode for 4G and 5G applications. The antenna is printed on PowerCoat XD paper by screen-printing technique to reach the goal of creating sustainable and environmentally friendly components. By controlling the diode state, the antenna resonance frequency can be switched between 3.6 GHz - a frequency in the 5G band and 2.4 GHz - in the 4G band. Reflection coefficient measurement shows that by switching the state of the diode from OFF to ON, the antenna resonance frequency is changed from 3.6 GHz to 2.4 GHz.

Background: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is the gold standard for detection of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and may guide patient selection for endovascular therapy. Machine learning algorithms can enhance clinical workflow in suspected AIS by providing early diagnosis and quantitative imaging biomarkers. We tested the hypothesis that our deep learning algorithm for detection of acute ischemia performs robustly in a real-world environment. Methods: We developed a novel deep neural network architecture (YNet) that operates on MRI diffusion data at full resolution. YNet demonstrated strong performance in AIS detection and segmentation on test and validation datasets. After validation, we challenged YNet to assess 1081 consecutive brain MRIs acquired from 9 different scanners at our institution over a 2-week period. Studies were labeled as having AIS by a radiologist who used the final clinical imaging report. A series selection algorithm was applied to each study to identify DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) series for input to the YNet using DICOM metadata to ensure relevant criteria are met (B value = 1000, axial plane, etc.). Patients with known diagnoses were excluded. Results: The series selection algorithm identified 826 studies that had DWI and ADC series with the established criteria. After exclusion of patients with known diagnoses, 378 studies were assessed by the YNet algorithm for the presence of AIS. The prevalence of AIS was 11.9% within this consecutive cohort. The algorithm detected 43 out of the 45 studies with AIS. Sensitivity and specificity for detection were 95.5% and 97.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Our YNet algorithm demonstrated excellent performance in detecting AIS in a serially-acquired dataset. Fully automated implementation will require further refinement of the series selection algorithm.

Abstract Seal/protector sections can be difficult to understand and properly apply. The components in seal/protector sections can fail for reasons that are not fully understood or obvious. Typically, the driving factor for seal/protector section application is temperature (thermal) cycles. Some advocate the use of more mechanical shaft seals, while others advocate parallel chamber configurations, allowing for more expansion/contraction. The question is, "What is the correct approach to take for seal/protector selection?" This paper will attempt to address some of these issues, and focus on seal/protector section failures and areas for improvement. This paper will also give an overall explanation of how seal/protector sections should work and the problems that are often encountered. A current practice in the industry is to apply tandem seal/protector sections as a method of redundancy and in theory, increasing reliability. Advanced materials developed for the harsh temperature environments may be helpful in adapting a single seal section capable of providing superior motor protection in comparison to tandem seals.

Traditionally esophageal perforation is a rare clinical emergency that confers a high rate of mortality and major morbidity. The objective of this study was to establish the annual rate and mortality from esophageal perforation and determine the effect of hospital volume on clinical outcomes. Hospital Episode Statistics database was used for the identification of patients admitted to hospitals within England with esophageal perforation between 2001 and 2012. The influence of hospital volume and treatment approach upon clinical outcomes was analyzed using multivariable analysis to control for patient age and medical comorbidities that may influence outcome. Over the 12-year study period 2,564 patients with esophageal perforation were treated at 158 hospitals. The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 30.0 and 38.8%, respectively. Esophageal perforation etiology was spontaneous in 81.9% and iatrogenic in 5.9% of cases. There was a significant increase in the percentage of patients managed supportively and a reduction in surgical management over time. Furthermore there were significant reductions in 30-day (36.6% to 24.9%; P<0.001) and 90-day mortality (44.1% to 35.4%; P=0.006) over the 12-year study period. Important patient demographics associated with 30- and 90-day mortality included age ≥70 years, preoperative congestive cardiac failure, ischemic heart, liver, and renal disease. High hospital volume was associated with significant reductions in 30- (odds ratio (OR)=0.68; P=0.001) and 90-day mortality (OR=0.69; P=0.001). In a subset analysis of patients undergoing endoscopic intervention, hospital volume was identified as an important factor associated with mortality. This study provides evidence for the centralization of management of esophageal perforation to high volume centers with appropriate multi-disciplinary infrastructure to treat these complex patients.

Paper persists since it is people friendly. But paper is evolving with links to digital media, and sound and moving images are also possible. All is revealed in a paper based presentation.

This study examines whether neural structures in the region of the optic recess of the third ventricle may be involved in the genesis of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-induced hypertension in sheep. Five sheep were prepared with lesions in an area of the forebrain that included the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) and surrounding periventricular tissue. In these animals the dipsogenic response to systemically infused hypertonic sodium chloride (NaCl) was abolished. ACTH treatment (20 micrograms/kg/day) for 5 days caused an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 19 mm Hg, a response identical to that seen in normal sheep. With ACTH treatment, increases in plasma osmolality were greater than normal, but polydipsia did not occur in the lesioned sheep. In six other sheep with lesions either lateral or anterior to the optic recess of the third ventricle, the dipsogenic response to hypertonic NaCl and pressor response to ACTH were normal. These studies establish that in ACTH-treated sheep the integrity of the anterior ventral part of the third ventricle is not essential for the development of the hypertension. This is in contrast to the finding in other models of experimental hypertension in the rat.

A general method is presented for using experimental data to verify math models of “mixed” dynamic systems. The term “mixed” is used to suggest applicability to combined systems which may include interactive mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and conceivably other types of components. Automatic matrix generating procedures are employed to facilitate the modeling of passive networks (e.g., hydraulic, electrical). These procedures are augmented by direct matrix input which can be used to complement the network model. The problem of model verification is treated in two parts; verification of the basic configuration of the model and determination of the parameter values associated with that configuration are addressed sequentially. Statistical parameter estimation is employed to identify selected parameter values, recognizing varying degrees of uncertainty with regard to both experimental data and analytical results. An example problem, involving a coupled hydraulic-mechanical system, is included to demonstrate application of the method.

&lt;div class="htmlview paragraph"&gt;A theory is developed to predict eigenvalue and eigenvector uncertainty in large dynamic models. The uncertainty is based on physical property uncertainty and should not be confused with numerical roundoff, although the method can be extended to include the latter. The theory, when implemented on a computer, is used to analyze the uncertainties in frequencies and mode shapes based on uncertainties in mass, stiffness, modulus of elasticity, etc.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div class="htmlview paragraph"&gt;The method incorporates a linear statistical model which is quite adequate for handling property uncertainties of 10% or more. The model is not limited to small systems but uses certain statistical assumptions as well as selective matrix manipulations to keep the size of all matrix operations to within the number of degrees of freedom of the system.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div class="htmlview paragraph"&gt;Examples are given for two longitudinal vibration problems, and the results are supported by a Monte Carlo analysis.&lt;/div&gt;