Airborne antenna pattern calculations

Use of calculation program START and modeling program P 3D to produce radiation patterns of antennas mounted on a space station is discussed. Basic components of two space stations in the early design stage are simulated and radiation patterns for antennas mounted on the modules are presented

Electrophysiological Assessment of Injury to the Infra-patellar Branch(es) of the Saphenous Nerve during Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Medial Hamstring Auto-grafts: Vertical versus Oblique Harvest Site Incisions

Background: It was suggested that the direction of incision for medial hamstring tendons harvesting\n influences the incidence of injury to the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve\n (IPBSN), a common complication following arthroscopically-assisted anterior cruciate\n ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Objectives: The main purpose of current study was to compare the incidence of IPBSN injury between\n vertical and oblique incisions utilizing electrophysiological evaluation. Patients and Methods: There were 60 patients underwent arthroscopically-assisted ACLR assigned to two equal\n vertical or oblique incision groups, randomly. One year postoperatively, the patients\n were electrophysiologically examined to detect whether IPBSN is injured. The Lysholm\n score was completed. The patients' satisfaction with surgical outcomes determined\n utilizing visual analogue scale (VAS). Finally, two groups were compared and the effect\n of IPBSN injury on function and satisfaction was investigated. Results: The incidence of IPBSN injury was higher in the vertical group (4 patients vs. 10\n patients), but the difference was not statistically significant. The mean of Lysholm and\n VAS scores were the same. Also, the mean of Lysholm score was the same in patients with\n and without IPBSN injury. However, patients without IPBSN injury were more satisfied\n (8.9 ± 9 vs. 7.4 ± 1.1; P < 0.001). Conclusions: IPBSN injury is a common complication following arthroscopically-assisted ACLR and, if\n not significant, oblique direction of the incision is associated with decreased\n incidence of the injury. IPBSN injury has no effect on the function but because of the\n disturbance with patients' satisfaction, authors believe the oblique incision is\n preferable to avoid the nerve injury during medial hamstring tendons harvesting

Sexual dimorphism and morphometric study of Caspian pond turtle, Mauremys caspica (Testudines : Geoemydidae) in Golestan Province, southeast of the Caspian Sea

The Caspian pond turtle, Mauremys caspica, is a terrapin belonging to family Geoemydidae. Totally, 130 specimens (67 males and 63 females) were collected manually and by net from different aquatic habitats in Golestan Province from 2016 through 2017. Morphometric characteristics such as length were measured using digital caliper and weight by electronic weighting scale. Skin of this turtle was dark olive green in color and had rows of longitudinal yellow stripes around the head and neck. Their carapace was relatively flat, the bridges between the dorsal and ventral shells were bony, and the ends of anal scutes were found to be pointed. Fingers and toes had swimming membranes. Sexes were identified using the location of vent on the tail. Sex ratios of males to females were nearly 1:1. The maximum straight carapace length (SCL2) was 80.66-230.16 (156.72 ± 42.93) and 56.96-236.84 (147.02 ± 50.76) in males and females, respectively. Ratios of SCL2 to maximum plastron length (PL2) were found to be 1.013- 1.32 (1.15 ± 0.04) in males and 1.01-1.15 (1.08 ± 0.03) in females; ratios of SCL2 to straight carapace width (SCW) were 1.24-2.60 (1.40 ± 0.16) in males and 1.20-1.47 (1.35 ± 0.07) in females; ratios of SCL2 to carapace height (CH) were 2.28-3.55 (2.79 ± 0.22) in males and 2.05-8.78 (2.87 ± 1.11) in females; ratios of SCL2 to tail length2 (TL2) were 2.33-7.59 (3.76 ± 0.91) in males and 2.34-4.78 (3.06 ± 0.62) in females. Ratios of straight width of femuro-anal suture (FASW) to anal seam length (AnSL) were 2.95–5.89 (3.78 ± 0.54) in males and 2.65-4.13 (3.23 ± 0.40) in females. The ratio of TL2 to TL1 and TL1 to RBrL are found to be the fast and simple grouping index to determine sex of the specimens

Analyzing utilization of biomass in combined heat and power and combined cooling, heating, and power systems

Nowadays, ever-increasing energy demands and the depletion of fossil fuels require efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for energy generation. In this context, energy systems integration makes for a very strong proposition since it results in energy saving, fuel diversification, and the supply of cleaner energy. To this end, it is of the utmost importance to realize the current developments in this field and portray the state of the art of renewable generation in integrated energy systems. This review evaluates the utilization of bioenergy in cogeneration and trigeneration systems. The statistical reports of bioenergy and combined heat and power deployments in 28 countries of the European Union are discussed. Then, the most common research objectives of biomass-fueled combined heat and power systems are classified into three primary performance analyses, namely, energy and exergy analysis, thermo-economic optimization, and environment assessment. The influencing parameters of biomass utilization on each type of assessment are discussed, and the basic principles for carrying out such analyses in energy systems are explained. It is illustrated that the properties of feedstock, selection of appropriate conversion technology, associated costs with the biomass-to-bioenergy process, and sustainability of biomass are the primary influencing factors that could significantly affect the results of each assessment

Masked comparison of two silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses after photorefractive keratectomy

Purpose: To compare the efficiency and safety of two bandage contact lenses after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Methods: In this double-blind study, 45 patients (90 eyes) received PRK in both eyes and wore bandage contact lenses (BCLs), PureVision (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA) in one eye and PureVision2 (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA) in the other eye, randomly assigned. The medication regimen after surgery was the same for both eyes. The epithelial defect's size, conjunctival hyperemia and lens centration were graded objectively using slit-lamp biomicroscopy on days 1, 3 and 5 after surgery. Also ocular symptoms of discomfort including tearing, photophobia, foreign body sensation and visual fluctuations were assessed subjectively at each visit. Results: The mean epithelial defect size on the first day after operation was similar in eyes fitted with PureVision (30.08 ± 5.30 mm²) and PureVision2 (30.25 ± 5.72 mm2) lenses. (p = 0.79) Contact lens deposits and bulbar hyperaemia on days 1 and 3 after PRK were similar between the two eyes, but were significantly greater on day 5 for PureVision2 lenses. (p = 0.02; p = 0.04 respectively) There was no difference in contact lens decentration, and discomfort symptoms including pain, tearing, foreign body sensation, photophobia and visual fluctuations between the eyes fitted with PureVision and PureVision2. (p > 0.05) Conclusions: PureVision and PureVision2 contact lenses are equivalent as bandage lenses in important aspects such as corneal re-epithelialization and subjective comfort., although PureVision2 led to a higher incidence of contact lens deposits and conjunctival hyperemia early post-PRK