Optimal shunt compensators at nonsinusoidal busbars

A model for determining an optimal shunt capacitor value at nonsinusoidal busbars combining three basic criteria maximizing the power factor, minimizing the line losses, and maximizing the transmission efficiency is developed. The choice of the capacitor value is constrained by the values that may cause resonance. This model was solved employing the penalty function approach and the golden Section Search algorithm for solving the linear load case. Furthermore, nonlinear loads operating under nonsinusoidal conditions were investigated. The model for the nonlinear load is a two variable problem in L (inductor) and C (capacitor). The Direct Search Polytope algorithm is used. The solution of this model yields an optimal shunt LC compensator for the nonlinear load. However, since there are limitations on the practical values of shunt capacitor, a discretizing approach making use of standard shunt capacitor values is employed to guarantee a solution that can be implemente

Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of tocilizumab in adult patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with both hypoxia and systemic inflammation. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Those trial participants with hypoxia (oxygen saturation <92% on air or requiring oxygen therapy) and evidence of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein ≥75 mg/L) were eligible for random assignment in a 1:1 ratio to usual standard of care alone versus usual standard of care plus tocilizumab at a dose of 400 mg–800 mg (depending on weight) given intravenously. A second dose could be given 12–24 h later if the patient's condition had not improved. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings: Between April 23, 2020, and Jan 24, 2021, 4116 adults of 21 550 patients enrolled into the RECOVERY trial were included in the assessment of tocilizumab, including 3385 (82%) patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Overall, 621 (31%) of the 2022 patients allocated tocilizumab and 729 (35%) of the 2094 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio 0·85; 95% CI 0·76–0·94; p=0·0028). Consistent results were seen in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including those receiving systemic corticosteroids. Patients allocated to tocilizumab were more likely to be discharged from hospital within 28 days (57% vs 50%; rate ratio 1·22; 1·12–1·33; p<0·0001). Among those not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, patients allocated tocilizumab were less likely to reach the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilation or death (35% vs 42%; risk ratio 0·84; 95% CI 0·77–0·92; p<0·0001). Interpretation: In hospitalised COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and systemic inflammation, tocilizumab improved survival and other clinical outcomes. These benefits were seen regardless of the amount of respiratory support and were additional to the benefits of systemic corticosteroids. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: Many patients with COVID-19 have been treated with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 177 NHS hospitals from across the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either usual care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus high-titre convalescent plasma (convalescent plasma group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936. Findings: Between May 28, 2020, and Jan 15, 2021, 11558 (71%) of 16287 patients enrolled in RECOVERY were eligible to receive convalescent plasma and were assigned to either the convalescent plasma group or the usual care group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1399 (24%) of 5795 patients in the convalescent plasma group and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days (rate ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·93–1·07; p=0·95). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (3832 [66%] patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 3822 [66%] patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·94–1·03; p=0·57). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at randomisation, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (1568 [29%] of 5493 patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 1568 [29%] of 5448 patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·93–1·05; p=0·79). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Optimal Shunt Compensators at Nonsinusoidal Busbars

A model for determining an optimal shunt capacitor value at nonsinusoidal busbars combining three basic criteria maximizing the power factor, minimizing the line losses, and maximizing the transmission efficiency is developed. The choice of the capacitor value is constrained by the values that may cause resonance. This model was solved employing the penalty function approach and the golden Section Search algorithm for solving the linear load case. Furthermore, nonlinear loads operating under nonsinusoidal conditions were investigated. The model for the nonlinear load is a two variable problem in L (inductor) and C (capacitor). The Direct Search Polytope algorithm is used. The solution of this model yields an optimal shunt LC compensator for the nonlinear load. However, since there are limitations on the practical values of shunt capacitor, a discretizing approach making use of standard shunt capacitor values is employed to guarantee a solution that can be implemente

THE IMMATURE RABBIT TESTIS : PRESENCE OF TWO DISTINCT POPULATIONS OF LEYDIG CELLS

[EN] In the immature rabbit testis (78 days), after a collagenase treatment (0.05 %), 20 min at 32ºC in Ham F12/DME medium and centrifugation of the crude testicular cell preparation obtained on a d1scontinuous Percoll gradient, we demonstrated the presence of two enriched Leydig cell populations (CLI : 47 % and CLll : 76 %) which viabihty is higher than 95 %. In basal conditions (Ham F12/DME medium, 5h at 32ºC), Leydig cells of CLI synthesize 3 fold more testosterone than Leydig cells of CLll (32 ± 4 and 9.5 ± 0.1 ng/1 os Leydig cells) ; in addition the cells of CLI are twice as much sensit1ve to hCG as these of CLll. After a preincubation of 20h followed by an additional incubation of 5h, a 3 fold increase of the testosterone outputs were recorded in both Leydig cell fractions. Taking into account the % of 3{3-HSD posit1ve cells in each populat1on, it is obvious that the Leydig cells of CLI are very potent steroidogenic secreting cells.[FR] Dans le testicule de lapin immature (78 jours), apres un traitement enzymatique a la collagénase (0.05 %} pendant 20 min a 32ºC et centrifugation des cellules testiculaires obtenues sur gradient de Percol/, nous démontrons l'existence de deux populations oellulaires distinctes enrichies en cellules de Leydir¡ (CU : 47 % et CLll : 76 %) dont la viabilité est supérieure a 95 %. Les cellules de Leydig de CU sythétisent 3 fois plus de testostérone que celles de CLll (32 ± 4 et 9,5 ±O, 1 nv/1()6 cellules de Leydia) quand elles sont incubées 5h a 32 C dans du milieu Ham 7=12/DME ; les cellules de CU sont en outre, 2 fois plus sensibles a l'hCG que celles de CLll. Apres une préincubation de 20h suivie par une incubation de 5h, les productions de testosterone sont augmentées de 3 fois en moyenne et les cellules de CU restent les plus efficaces, surtout si l'on tient compte du pourcentage de cellules 3{3-HSD positives par rapport a celui de CLll.El-Sherbiny, A.; Amin, S.; Hernández, C.; Carrearu, S. (1994). THE IMMATURE RABBIT TESTIS : PRESENCE OF TWO DISTINCT POPULATIONS OF LEYDIG CELLS. World Rabbit Science. 2(4). doi:10.4995/wrs.1994.230SWORD2

Haematology and serum biochemistry of starter broiler chickens fed Malted Sorghum Sprout (MSP) or wheat-offal based diets supplemented with yeast culture and enzyme

An experiment was conducted to determine the haematology and serum  biochemistry of starter broilers fed malted sorghum sprouts (MSP) or wheat offal (W/O)-based diets supplemented with yeast culture and enzyme. A total of two hundred and forty day- old, unsexed Marshal Broiler chickens used for the experiment were randomly allotted to 8 dietary treatment groups of 30 birds each. Each treatment group was replicated thrice with 10 birds per replicate. Data on selected blood indices of the birds were collected at the end of the course of the feeding trial that lasted for 4 weeks. The experiment was a 2X4 factorial consisting of two (2) test ingredients (MSP and wheat offal) at 4 inclusion levels of enzyme or yeast (0g kg-1, +0.01gkg-1 yeast and Roxazyme G2(G) enzyme, + 0.01gkg-1 yeast, + Roxazyme G2(G) enzyme. At the end of the trial, the effect of MSP and wheat offal inclusion showed a significant effect (P<0.05) for uric acid and ALT. However, uric acid, total protein, Albumin and Globulin were highest for wheat offal diet. Furthermore, the results show that values obtained for PCV,RBC, WBC, uric acid, total protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine, ALT & AST were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the enzyme, yeast and their combination. In conclusion, supplementation with yeast + enzyme improves total protein, albumin and globulin by broiler chickens. Therefore MSP diet should be supplemented with yeast+ enzyme or enzyme singly to improve Livestock ration for better utilisation and optimum performance.Keywords: Haematological and Blood chemistry starter Broiler Malted Sorghum  Sprout, wheat offal Hematologie et biochimie serique de poussins de chair soumis aux regimes a base de germes de sorgho malte ou de sons de ble additionnes de culture de levure et  d’enzymesUne expérience a été réalisée dans le but de déterminer l’hématologie et la  biochimie sérique des poussins de chair nourris aux germes de sorgho malté (MSP) ou aux sons de blé (E / H) additionnés de culture de levure et d’enzymes. Au total, deux cent quarante poussins de chair Marshal âgés d’un jour utilisés pour cette expérience ont été répartis de manière aléatoire à 8 groupes de traitement  diététique de 30 oiseaux chacun. Chaque groupe de traitement a été répliqué trois fois, avec 10 oiseaux par répétition. Les données sur certains indices sanguins des oiseaux ont été recueillies à la fin de l’essai alimentaire qui a duré 4 semaines. L’expérience était un dispositif factoriel 2X4 constitué de deux (2) ingrédients à tester (MSP et sons de blé) à 4 niveaux d’inclusion d’enzymes ou de levure (0g kg-1, +0,01gkg-1 levure et Roxazyme G2 (G) enzyme, + 0,01gkg-1 de levure, + Roxazyme G2(G) enzyme. A la fin de l’essai alimentaire, l’effet du MSP et de l’inclusion de sons de blé a montré un effet significatif (P <0,05) pour l’acide urique et les ALT. Cependant, l’acide urique, la protéine totale, l’albumine et la globuline  étaient plus élevés pour le régime aux sons de blé. En outre, les résultats montrent que les valeurs obtenues pour le PCV, le RBC, le WBC, l’acide urique, la protéine  totale, l’albumine, la globuline, la créatinine, l’ALT et l’AST étaient significativement (P<0,05) affectées par l’enzyme, la levure et leur combinaison. En conclusion, la supplémentation en levure + enzyme améliore la protéine totale, l’albumine et la globuline chez les poulets de chair, donc le régime MSP doit être complété avec de la levure + enzyme ou l’enzyme uniquement afin d’améliorer la ration des poulets pour une meilleure utilisation et une performance optimale.Mots-clés : hématologie, chimie sanguine, poussin de chair, germe de sorgho malté