PROGNOSTIC MODELS FOR THE POSTMORTEM INCIDENCE OF PULMONARY THROMBOEMBOLISM

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PATHOMORPHOSIS OF INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION IN EXPERIMENTAL ENDOTOXIC SHOCK IN RABBITS TREATED WITH PAMBA AND URBASON

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MORPHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTICS OF INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION

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Evolutionary Synthesis of HVAC System Configurations: Algorithm Development.

This paper describes the development of an optimization procedure for the synthesis of novel heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system configurations. Novel HVAC system designs can be synthesized using model-based optimization methods. The optimization problem can be considered as having three sub-optimization problems; the choice of a component set; the design of the topological connections between the components; and the design of a system operating strategy. In an attempt to limit the computational effort required to obtain a design solution, the approach adopted in this research is to solve all three sub-problems simultaneously. Further, the computational effort has been limited by implementing simplified component models and including the system performance evaluation as part of the optimization problem (there being no need in this respect to simulation the system performance). The optimization problem has been solved using a Genetic Algorithm (GA), with data structures and search operators that are specifically developed for the solution of HVAC system optimization problems (in some instances, certain of the novel operators may also be used in other topological optimization problems. The performance of the algorithm, and various search operators has been examined for a two-zone optimization problem (the objective of the optimization being to find a system design that minimizes the system energy use). In particular, the performance of the algorithm in finding feasible system designs has been examined. It was concluded that the search was unreliable when the component set was optimized, but if the component set was fixed as a boundary condition on the search, then the algorithm had an 81% probability of finding a feasible system design. The optimality of the solutions is not examined in this paper, but is described in an associated publication. It was concluded that, given a candidate set of system components, the algorithm described here provides an effective tool for exploring the novel design of HVAC systems. (c) HVAC & R journa

SEXUAL ACTIVITY BEFORE AND AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING

Improved functional capacity after coronary surgery implies that a better level of any aspects of quality of life, sexual activity inclusive, could be expected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the sexual activity in the patients with coronary artery disease having undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The mean age of the contingent of 18 male and 2 female patients was 58 ±5,6 (range 44-66) years. After clinical examination the patients completed a sexual activity questionnaire and an exercise test 20 ±14 (range 4—52) months after CABG. All the patients were married and had permanent sexual partner. At the time of the observation 6 patients (30%) were symptomatic. Data about angina pectoris was available for 5 patients, and one patient experienced symptoms of heart failure. The NYHA class of the patients increased significantly after CABG (1,9 ±0,8 vs 3,1 ±0,5, p 0,001). Only 5 (25%) patients reported increased sexual activity after CABG. Fourteen (70%) patients reported no change in the sexual activity and one (5%) patient had decreased sexual intercourse frequency. After CABG, 16 patients (80%) used beta-blockers. Although the NYHA class of the patients increased significantly after CABG, a few of them experienced an improved sexual activity. Possible reasons were the psychological problems (depression, fear of sexual failure, lack of appreciation and support by the sexual partner), diabetes mellitus, beta-blocker usage, etc. The physician in charge of the CABG patient should ask actively for sexual problems and refer the patient to specialized evaluation when needed

COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL AND ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHICAL (VECTOR ANALYSIS) INVESTIGATION OF MYOCARDIUM IN INFANTS AGED UP TO 3 YEARS WITH SEPTIC STATES

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TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL CORNEAL INJURY WITH IMPULSE MAGNETIC FIELD

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HISTOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE HERNIAL SACCULE WITH POSTOPERATIVE HERNIAS CONCERNING ITS POSSIBLE USE AS AUTOPLASTIC MATERIAL

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