Beneficial use of immunoglobulins in the treatment of Sydenham chorea

This double case report indicates that treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) is effective in patients with Sydenham chorea (SC). SC is a rare but impressive clinical manifestation following streptococcal infection. This movement disorder characterised by chorea, emotional lability and muscle weakness, is one of the major criteria of acute rheumatic fever. Treatment of SC is typically limited to supportive care and palliative medications. Curative treatment is still in the experimental stage. Recent research on patients with SC proved that antibodies against the group A streptococcus cross-react with epitopes of neurons in the basal ganglia, namely, intracellular tubulin and extracellular lysoganglioside. Therefore, immune modulating therapy by means of prednisone, plasma exchange and IVIG are mentioned in the literature as possible effective treatment. Beneficial effect of IVIG has been shown in several diseases with molecular mimicry as the underlying pathophysiology. In this paper, we describe two girls aged 11 and 13 years, respectively, who presented with SC having severe disabilities in their daily live. We treated both patients with IVIG 400 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Treatment was tolerated well and had a pronounced positive effect. Shortly after the drug was administered, all signs and symptoms disappeared in both patients. Based upon these patients, we highlight IVIG as a serious treatment option for SC

Veterinary students’ perceptions of their learning environment as measured by the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure

BACKGROUND: The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) has been widely used to evaluate the learning environment within health sciences education, however, this tool has not been applied in veterinary medical education. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the DREEM tool in a veterinary medical program and to determine veterinary students’ perceptions of their learning environment. METHODS: The DREEM is a survey tool which quantitatively measures students’ perceptions of their learning environment. The survey consists of 50 items, each scored 0–4 on a Likert Scale. The 50 items are subsequently analysed within five subscales related to students’ perceptions of learning, faculty (teachers), academic atmosphere, and self-perceptions (academic and social). An overall score is obtained by summing the mean score for each subscale, with an overall possible score of 200. All students in the program were asked to complete the DREEM. Means and standard deviations were calculated for the 50 items, the five subscale scores and the overall score. Cronbach’s alpha was determined for the five subscales and overall score to evaluate reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate construct validity. RESULTS: 224 responses (53%) were received. The Cronbach’s alpha for the overall score was 0.93 and for the five subscales were; perceptions of learning 0.85, perceptions of faculty 0.79, perceptions of atmosphere 0.81, academic self-perceptions 0.68, and social self-perceptions 0.72. Construct validity was determined to be acceptable (p < 0.001) and all items contributed to the overall validity of the DREEM. The overall DREEM score was 128.9/200, which is a positive result based on the developers’ descriptors and comparable to other health science education programs. Four individual items of concern were identified by students. CONCLUSIONS: In this setting the DREEM was a reliable and valid tool to measure veterinary students’ perceptions of their learning environment. The four items identified as concerning originated from four of the five subscales, but all related to workload. Negative perceptions regarding workload is a common concern of students in health education programs. If not addressed, this perception may have an unfavourable impact on veterinary students’ learning environment

Modelling and Simulation of Synchronous Machine Transient Analysis Using Simulink

This work describes a method which illustrates the benefits of the visual aspects of MATLAB/SIMULINK for educational purposes. The method is specially developed for transient analysis of synchronous machines given by a simplified model. Details such as the exciter circuit, turbine and governor systems of a synchronous machine which is linked to an infinitive bus through two equivalent lines are given and this system is implemented in SIMULINK. The considered synchronous machine has a rated power capacity of 160 MVA and rated voltage of 15 kV. </jats:p

Economic and Minimum Emission Dispatch

In this paper, Hopfield Neural Network (HNN) and Lagrange Multiplier (LM) solutions to economic dispatch (ED), NOx emission dispatch (EmD), and economic-emission dispatch (EED) of a sample system consisting of six thermal generators are presented. Transmission losses are included. The results of HNN are compared with the results of LM

Analysis of change in electric energy cost with using renewable energy sources in Gökceada, Turkey: An island example

In this study, electric requirement of Gökceada, the biggest island of Turkey is analyzed that how can it be supplied with renewable energy sources. In order to consider the optimal system configuration of hybrid or non-hybrid renewable energy system, the HOMER program is used. At relevant studies which are done about renewable energy sources, it is seen that cost analysis are done according to annual average values. But in this study, HOMER program is used in order to make the system which is generated with computer, as real as possible. On the other studies, it is found out that various changes which are occurred in the year cannot be added to the system. With HOMER; the effect of values which vary by the time like electric load, wind speed and solar radiation, is considered and than the electric system are modelled. For each of these data, 8760 values are formed in HOMER. HOMER cannot model transient changes which is smaller than 1 h. However; it is expressed that, hourly data are sufficient in order to analyze the system like this. In this study; systems which are composed of solar panels, wind turbines and batteries, auxiliary tools are modelled with considered various scenarios. Grid connection or diesel generators for backup power are also modelled. Values of components which form the renewable system of Gökceada, are determined by the simulations. The excess energy which occurs when the energy source is bigger than the load, can be sold to the grid and so, the cost of energy can be reduced. According to the simulation results; it is seen that, energy costs of wind energy systems are lower for Gökceada. It is revealed that wind energy is advantageous in Gökceada especially with grid sales according to the grid connected scenario.Renewable Energy Gokceada Wind Photovoltaic HOMER