Demonstration of the Universality of Molecular Structures in Prolate Deformed Nuclei

The relationship between the deformed harmonic oscillator and the formation of molecular cluster structures, whereby valence neutrons are exchanged between cluster cores, is examined. It is found that there is a strong connection between the properties of the valence orbitals associated with deformed structures in the deformed harmonic oscillator and the molecular orbitals created by linear combinations of single-centre orbitals around nuclear clusters. The conclusion is that in addition to the appearance of clustering in the deformed harmonic oscillator that \emph{every} prolate deformed cluster structure should have molecular orbitals built on that structure. This is demonstrated through a series of examples that range from $^{13}$C to $^{57}$Ni

Optimisation of laser assisted forming conditions for improved formability of aerospace materials

ISF technology was gradually considered as a manufacturing technology for fabricating sheet metal parts for both commercial and military aircraft. However, many challenges remain with respect to improving the consistency of the process, such as part thinning and springback. This is especially critical for two phase titanium alloy Ti-6AL-4V which has limited formability at room temperature. Therefore, understanding the correlation of laser system parameters and material properties is a key aspect for successful ISF of non-fractured Ti-6AL-4V. The laser heating is modelled to find the relationships between laser power, beam radius, scan speed, and the resultant temperature. The analysis shows that the temperature from laser heating increases with an increase in power, decreases significantly with an increase in beam radius, and decreases slightly with an increase in scan speed

Utility-Scale Concentrating Solar Power and Photovoltaic Projects: A Technology and Market Overview

Over the last several years, solar energy technologies have been, or are in the process of being, deployed at unprecedented levels. A critical recent development, resulting from the massive scale of projects in progress or recently completed, is having the power sold directly to electric utilities. Such 'utility-scale' systems offer the opportunity to deploy solar technologies far faster than the traditional 'behind-the-meter' projects designed to offset retail load. Moreover, these systems have employed significant economies of scale during construction and operation, attracting financial capital, which in turn can reduce the delivered cost of power. This report is a summary of the current U.S. utility-scale solar state-of-the-market and development pipeline. Utility-scale solar energy systems are generally categorized as one of two basic designs: concentrating solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV). CSP systems can be further delineated into four commercially available technologies: parabolic trough, central receiver (CR), parabolic dish, and linear Fresnel reflector. CSP systems can also be categorized as hybrid, which combine a solar-based system (generally parabolic trough, CR, or linear Fresnel) and a fossil fuel energy system to produce electric power or steam

Trends in blindness due to diabetic retinopathy among adults aged 18-69 years over a decade in Ireland

Aims: To describe trends in the incidence of visual impairment and blindness due to diabetic retinopathy among adults aged 18–69 years in Ireland between 2004 and 2013. Methods: Data on visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy in adults aged 18–69 years or over who are registered with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, (2004–2013) were analysed. Annual incidence rates were calculated for the adult population and the population with diagnosed diabetes. Poisson regression was used to test for changes in rates over time. The relative, attributable and population risk of blindness and visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy were calculated for 2013. Results: Over the decade, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes increased from 2.1% to 3.6%. Among people with diagnosed diabetes, the incidence of visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy increased from 6.4 (95% CI 2.4–13.9) per 100,000 in 2004 to 11.7 (95% CI 5.9–21.0) per 100,000 in 2013. The incidence of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy varied from 31.9 per 100,000 (95% CI 21.6–45.7) in 2004 to 14.9 per 100,000 (95% CI 8.2–25.1) in 2013. Conclusions: Our findings indicate the need for increased attention to preventive measures for microvascular complications among adults with diabetes in Ireland. Retinopathy screening has been standardised in Ireland, these findings provide useful baseline statistics to monitor the impact of this population-based screening programme

Risk factors for macro- and microvascular complications among older adults with diagnosed type 2 diabetes: findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing

Objective. To explore risk factors for macro- and microvascular complications in a nationally representative sample of adults aged 50 years and over with type 2 diabetes in Ireland. Methods. Data from the first wave of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) (2009–2011) was used in cross-sectional analysis. The presence of doctor diagnosis of diabetes, risk factors, and macro and microvascular complications were determined by self-report. Gender-specific differences in risk factor prevalence were assessed with the chi-squared test. Binomial regression analysis was conducted to explore independent associations between established risk factors and diabetes-related complications. Results. Among 8175 respondents, 655 were classified as having type 2 diabetes. Older age, being male, a history of smoking, a lower level of physical activity, and a diagnosis of high cholesterol were independent predictors of macrovascular complications. Diabetes diagnosis of 10 or more years, a history of smoking, and a diagnosis of hypertension were associated with an increased risk of microvascular complications. Older age, third-level education, and a high level of physical activity were protective factors (\u1d45d < 0.05). Conclusions. Early intervention to target modifiable risk factors is urgently needed to reduce diabetes-related morbidity in the older population in Ireland

Minimal versus specialist equipment for the delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD

Background: Evidence for pulmonary rehabilitation(PR)largely comes from trials where the intervention used specialist aerobic and/or resistance equipment.Limited data exist to demonstrate the efficacy of PR in community settings with minimal equipment. Aims: To compare completion rates and outcomes in COPD patients undergoing PR in a community setting with minimal equipment(PR-min)with a matched sample undergoing PR in a gym setting with specialist aerobic and resistance equipment(PR-gym). Methods: Using propensity score matching,318 patients with COPD referred for 8 weeks of PR-min were matched 1:1 with a control group of 318 patients who undertook 8 weeks of PR-gym. Completion rate(attendance≥8 supervised sessions)and changes in incremental shuttle walk(ISW),Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire(CRQ)and quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction(QMVC)were compared. Results: Groups were matched for age(70.8v70.7years),FEV1%predicted(46.8v45.8),ISW(192v195m),%current smoking status(19v20)and depression scores(6.5v6.6).No between group differences were seen in ISW,CRQ or QMVC change. Completion rates were better in the PR-gym(73%)as opposed to the PR-min(64%);p=0.01. Conclusion: This case-control study shows that PR-min had similar benefits to PR-gym.A randomised non-inferiority trial is needed to confirm the findings of this study