An integrated elitist approach to the design of Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Wind Generators (AFPMWG)

This paper addresses an integrated and developed approach to the design of an Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Wind Generator (AFPMWG). The proposed analytical method of design employs the size equations and precise inductance calculations simultaneously, as well as considering the mechanical constraints of the back-iron disc of the rotor. An Elitist Genetic Algorithm (EGA), such as a high capability optimization method, has been used to solve the equations and design of a wind generator with predefined rating power. The objectives of the coreless AFPMWG design process are minimizing the magnet consumption, maximizing machine efficiency, and achieving maximum sinusoidal induction voltage, considering the wind properties of the geographical area of utilization. The optimal calculation of the permanent magnet thickness is also taken into consideration in this work. The flux density distribution in all parts of the machine has been investigated for the magnetic saturation phenomenon. In this regard, special attention is paid to rotor back discs, which are made from nonlinear material with an optimum thickness. The inductance of the leakage flux of the coreless machine has been considered by parallel computation via the Finite Element Method (FEM) and analytical equations. Finally, three-dimensional and two-dimensional finite element analyses are used to validate the performance of the machine design according to the characteristics of Iran wind resources. The results show the high ability of the proposed approach in AFPMWG design and in considering the objectives and constraints carefully

Elevated Baseline Serum Fibrinogen: Effect on 2-Year Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BackgroundElevated fibrinogen is associated with short-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after percutaneous coronary intervention, but the relation with late MACE is unknown.Methods and resultsBaseline demographics and 2-year MACE were recorded among subjects undergoing nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention. A total of 332 subjects (66.6±19.5 years, 69.9% male, 25.3% acute coronary syndrome) were enrolled. Two-year MACE (periprocedural myocardial infarction 9.0%, rehospitalization 6.3%, revascularization 12.7%, non-periprocedural myocardial infarction 4.5%, stent thrombosis 0.9%, stroke 1.8%, and death 0.6%) were associated with higher fibrinogen (352.8±123.4 mg/dL versus 301.6±110.8 mg/dL; P<0.001), longer total stent length (40.1±25.3 mm versus 32.1±19.3 mm; P=0.004), acute coronary syndrome indication (38.7% versus 17.8%; P<0.001), number of bare-metal stents (0.5±1.1 versus 0.2±0.5; P=0.002), and stent diameter ≤2.5 mm (55.8% versus 38.4%, P=0.003). No relation between platelet reactivity and 2-year MACE was observed. Fibrinogen ≥280 mg/dL (odds ratio [OR] 3.0, confidence interval [CI], 1.6-5.4, P<0.001), total stent length ≥32 mm (OR 2.2, CI, 1.3-3.8, P<0.001), acute coronary syndrome indication (OR 4.1, CI, 2.3-7.5, P<0.001), any bare-metal stents (OR 3.2, CI, 1.6-6.1, P<0.001), and stent diameter ≤2.5 mm (OR 2.0, CI, 1.2-3.5, P=0.010) were independently associated with 2-year MACE. Following a landmark analysis excluding periprocedural myocardial infarction, fibrinogen ≥280 mg/dL remained strongly associated with 2-year MACE (37.0% versus 17.4%, log-rank P<0.001).ConclusionsElevated baseline fibrinogen level is associated with 2-year MACE after percutaneous coronary intervention. Acute coronary syndrome indication for percutaneous coronary intervention, total stent length implanted, and use of bare-metal stents or smaller-diameter stents are also independently associated with 2-year MACE, while measures of on-thienopyridine platelet reactivity are not

Adenoviral gene therapy in gastric cancer: A review

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. With current therapeutic approaches the prognosis of gastric cancer is very poor, as gastric cancer accounts for the second most common cause of death in cancer related deaths. Gastric cancer like almost all other cancers has a molecular genetic basis which relies on disruption in normal cellular regulatory mechanisms regarding cell growth, apoptosis and cell division. Thus novel therapeutic approaches such as gene therapy promise to become the alternative choice of treatment in gastric cancer. In gene therapy, suicide genes, tumor suppressor genes and anti-angiogenesis genes among many others are introduced to cancer cells via vectors. Some of the vectors widely used in gene therapy are Adenoviral vectors. This review provides an update of the new developments in adenoviral cancer gene therapy including strategies for inducing apoptosis, inhibiting metastasis and targeting the cancer cells

A 12-year epidemiologic study on primary spinal cord tumors in Isfahan, Iran

Background: Although primary spinal cord tumors (PSCTs) comprise a minority of primary central nervous system tumors, they often impose a great deal of morbidity on their victims. Few epidemiologic studies have addressed PSCTs in Iran. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the demographic/clinical features of all primary intraspinal tumors (with a specific focus on primary intradural spinal cord tumors) identified between 1992 and 2004 in three of the major related hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. We also tracked the malignant cases until 2012. Results: 102 patients with primary intraspinal tumors were found; 82 tumors were Intradural (36 intramedullary and 46 extramedullary) and 20 extradural. The principal intradural histological subtypes were nerve sheath tumor (33%), ependymoma (22%), astrocytoma (16%), and meningioma (15%). 20 (19%) of the tumors were malignant. Local pain (43%) and motor disabilities (36%) were the most common first-presenting symptoms in the patients. Male-to-female ratio was significant only in ependymoma (male:female ratio = 3.6, P < 0.05). The mean age in meningioma (57 years, standard error [SE]: 15.7) was significantly higher than other types (one-way ANOVA, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results reflect analogous frequency of distribution for PSCTs compared with most of the previous counterpart studies worldwide. The only notable exception was the comparatively fewer frequency of spinal cord meningioma in our study

Elevated Baseline Serum Fibrinogen: Effect on 2-Year Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Elevated fibrinogen is associated with short-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after percutaneous coronary intervention, but the relation with late MACE is unknown. Baseline demographics and 2-year MACE were recorded among subjects undergoing nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention. A total of 332 subjects (66.6±19.5&nbsp;years, 69.9% male, 25.3% acute coronary syndrome) were enrolled. Two-year MACE (periprocedural myocardial infarction 9.0%, rehospitalization 6.3%, revascularization 12.7%, non-periprocedural myocardial infarction 4.5%, stent thrombosis 0.9%, stroke 1.8%, and death 0.6%) were associated with higher fibrinogen (352.8±123.4&nbsp;mg/dL versus 301.6±110.8&nbsp;mg/dL; P&lt;0.001), longer total stent length (40.1±25.3&nbsp;mm versus 32.1±19.3&nbsp;mm; P=0.004), acute coronary syndrome indication (38.7% versus 17.8%; P&lt;0.001), number of bare-metal stents (0.5±1.1 versus 0.2±0.5; P=0.002), and stent diameter ≤2.5&nbsp;mm (55.8% versus 38.4%, P=0.003). No relation between platelet reactivity and 2-year MACE was observed. Fibrinogen ≥280&nbsp;mg/dL (odds ratio [OR] 3.0, confidence interval [CI], 1.6-5.4, P&lt;0.001), total stent length ≥32&nbsp;mm (OR 2.2, CI, 1.3-3.8, P&lt;0.001), acute coronary syndrome indication (OR 4.1, CI, 2.3-7.5, P&lt;0.001), any bare-metal stents (OR 3.2, CI, 1.6-6.1, P&lt;0.001), and stent diameter ≤2.5&nbsp;mm (OR 2.0, CI, 1.2-3.5, P=0.010) were independently associated with 2-year MACE. Following a landmark analysis excluding periprocedural myocardial infarction, fibrinogen ≥280&nbsp;mg/dL remained strongly associated with 2-year MACE (37.0% versus 17.4%, log-rank P&lt;0.001). Elevated baseline fibrinogen level is associated with 2-year MACE after percutaneous coronary intervention. Acute coronary syndrome indication for percutaneous coronary intervention, total stent length implanted, and use of bare-metal stents or smaller-diameter stents are also independently associated with 2-year MACE, while measures of on-thienopyridine platelet reactivity are not

Radial haemostasis is facilitated with a potassium ferrate haemostatic patch: the Statseal with TR Band assessment trial (STAT)

Haemostasis is a limiting factor for discharge after uncomplicated transradial procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a potassium ferrate haemostatic patch (PFHP) could serve as an adjunct to the air-bladder TR Band (TRB) to facilitate implementation of a rapid deflation protocol. This was a prospective multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing radial haemostatic protocols. Deflation of the TRB was attempted at 40 minutes with PFHP and at 120 minutes without the PFHP. The primary outcome was time to full deflation of the TRB with haemostasis. At four US sites, 180 patients were enrolled after receiving a minimum of 5,000 units of unfractionated heparin or bivalirudin. Interventions comprised 30% of procedures. Successful TRB deflation occurred at 43±14 minutes with PFHP and 160±43 minutes without PFHP (p<0.001). Minor haematomas occurred in nine (10.3%) of the TRB patients and 16 (17.2%) of the PFHP patients (p=0.20). Radial artery occlusion occurred in 2% of patients in the PFHP group (p=NS). Outpatients randomised to PFHP were discharged 51±83.5 minutes earlier than control. The PFHP haemostatic patch facilitated early deflation of the TRB with a non-significant increase in forearm haematomas. Use of the PFHP may improve patient throughput and allow earlier discharge following transradial procedures